As the spray season is winding down for many Illinois pesticide applicators, the training and testing season has also slowed way down for The University of Illinois Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP) and the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDA). The month of September is the perfect time for us in PSEP to close the online training and testing down for a little required maintenance. But rest assured, it is scheduled to resume October 1. 

If you are still in need of a 2024 license, you can obtain one. Keep in mind that IDA will switch over to the 2025 license year on October 1. Waiting until that time will ensure that you will get a full 3 years out of your license. But, if you need a license now, you need a license now. Fortunately, you have options. 

In-Person Testing

• In-person testing is available all year through the Illinois Department of Agriculture. In-person tests can be scheduled by calling IDA’s Springfield office at (217) 785-2427 or the Dekalb office at (815) 787-5476.

Other Study Materials

• Pesticide Safety Manuals and workbooks for home study are available year-round on our website. 

Image Credit: 

• Photo by jesse orrico on Unsplash

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Michelle Wiesbrook provides subject matter expertise and training in pesticide safety with an emphasis on horticultural weed science. She serves as the Illinois Pesticide Review newsletter editor, collecting and organizing material; and co-coordinates social media information for the PSEP program and ensures its timely publication. Her other interests include herbicide injury and invasive species.