The Illinois Pesticide Licensing Act requires licenses for anyone using restricted use pesticides or applying either restricted or general use pesticides as part of their job. There are five different license types and 17 different categories of licensure. In order to apply for a license, a person must pass a test administered by either the University of Illinois Extension or the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

Training. The University of Illinois Extension – Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP) provides study materials for purchase and provides training online or through Private or Commercial Pesticide Training and Certification Clinics. Training clinics are designed to help people that apply pesticides professionally (commercial) and on their own farm (private) to prepare for the licensing test. Training dates will be held at locations throughout the state in December, January and February for both field crops (pesticide use in corn, soybeans, small grains, forages, grasslands, etc.) and seed treatments (Table). Pre-registration is required for each training session and must be received 7 working days before the desired clinic date.

Table. University of Illinois Extension Winter 2014-2015 Field Crops and Seed Treatment Commercial Pesticide Safety Education Training Schedule

Testing. For those who need to obtain their private applicator license and who plan on studying on their own, between November 21, 2014 and March 27, 2015, 52 test-only clinics will be held throughout the state. If a person is unable to make these or any of the other test-only clinics, a testing appointment can be made with the Illinois Department of Agriculture (Table).

Table 2. Testing by appointment

If you have questions about pre-registration, training or test-only clinics, or study materials visit the PSEP website or call 1-800-644-2123. For licensing and test information call 1-800-641-3934.