You’ve got questions and we’ve got answers. Here are some of the more frequent questions we get from Illinois pesticide applicators. Don’t see what you are looking for? Let us know what you are wondering about. Also, a lot of information can be found by simply perusing the PSEP website.
Do I need a license to apply pesticides to my own land?
Answer: Yes, if you choose to use a restricted-use pesticide (RUP), you are required to show proof of license before you may buy the RUP. These products have an obvious “Restricted-Use Pesticide” statement at the top of the pesticide label. If the product is not a RUP, it is a general-use pesticide and, as a farmer or homeowner, you do not need a license to apply it to your own land or land you rent.
Do I need a license to apply fertilizer as part of my lawn-care business?
Answer: No, as long as the fertilizer does not contain a pesticide. Fertilizers of the “Weed-n-feed” and “Grub-n-Feed” type contain pesticides and, as a commercial applicator, you must be licensed to apply these products. Whether you apply pesticides or only fertilizers, you must post the turf area after application.
What is the difference between “Private,” “Commercial,” and “Commercial Not for Hire” pesticide license designations?
Answer: A Private Applicator license is required for persons who—for the purpose of producing an agricultural commodity primarily intended for sale, consumption, propagation, or other use by humans or animals—use or supervise the use of a restricted-use pesticide (1) on property owned, rented, or leased by themselves or their employer, or (2) on no more than two neighbors’ farms as exchange for labor.
A Commercial Applicator or Operator license is required of persons who apply a pesticide (restricted or general use) for any purpose on property OTHER than that owned, rented, or leased by themselves or by their employer. Think of it as applying for hire. If you apply pesticides for profit, this license designation is appropriate for you.
A Commercial Not for Hire Applicator or Operator license is required of persons who apply pesticides (restricted or general use) for any purpose on the property of their employer when such activity is a requirement of the terms of employment and the application is limited to property under the control of the employer only. Examples include grain elevator managers and workers, rural electric company field personnel, railroad rights-of-way maintenance personnel, groundskeepers in public cemeteries and golf courses, park-district maintenance personnel, foresters (public land), mosquito-abatement-district personnel, county and township weed commissioners, groundskeepers of public establishments, State Department employees, state university and college employees, Extension educators, vocational agricultural teachers, and other public employees who apply pesticides as part of their job requirements.
I farm and operate a custom pesticide application business. Which license do I need?
Answer: If you use restricted-use pesticides on your farm, you must be licensed as a Private Applicator. In addition, for your custom application business, you must be licensed as a Commercial for Hire Pesticide Applicator.
Both my private license and my commercial license expired, do I need to take both tests or is there an easier way?
Answer: No need to take both tests. Just let the test proctors know that you need both licenses. They will have you fill out a second green demographic form and they can apply your General Standards score to your private license. Taking the test online? There is an option to select to have a Private application mailed as well.
Am I an “Applicator” or an “Operator”?
Answer: After you decide which license designation is appropriate for you (see above question), you need to decide if you should be listed as an Applicator or Operator. Simply stated, an Operator works under the direct supervision of their Applicator. To become an Operator, you must pass the General Standards exam or Aerial General Standards exam. An Applicator must also pass this exam, plus one or more category exams (for example, Turf, Field Crops). Both Applicators and Operators are permitted to operate application equipment; handle, mix, and apply pesticides; store pesticides; and dispose of excess pesticides and containers. However, the Applicator must be accessible to his or her Operators when they are working with pesticides. If you work alone or are the only one in your company that applies pesticides, you must be licensed as an Applicator.
I have two Applicators where I work; one is licensed in Turf and the other in Ornamentals. As an Operator, may I apply pesticides to turf and trees?
Answer: Yes, but each Applicator’s license number must be listed on your operator’s license. If you want to add or change an Applicator, simply call the Illinois Department of Agriculture, (800)641-3934, and ask to have your paperwork and license changed.
Occasionally, I am asked to spray and kill the grass and weeds along fences and weeds growing driveways and parking lots. Which category do I need?
Answer: Although you may be spraying grass in these sites, the grass is not maintained as turf, so the turf license is not appropriate for these applications. For these jobs, you need the Rights-of-Way category. In addition, this category allows you to spray roadsides, electric powerlines, pipelines, railroads, and other rights-of-way sites.
I work at a grain elevator and several local farmers have asked me to fumigate their grain. Does my Commercial Not for Hire Grain Facility license allow this?
Answer: With your current license, you may not fumigate the farmer’s grain if the grain does not belong to your company. To custom fumigate, you need to be licensed through the Illinois Department of Public Health, (217)782-5830. A farmer who wishes to fumigate his or her own grain must be certified first as a Private Applicator and then certified in Private Grain Fumigation to purchase and use grain fumigants.
Is there any way I can take the test today before 12:30 or can I take my category tests on day 1 of this 2-day clinic?
Answer: Unfortunately, you cannot start early. It takes time for IDOA to set up all the equipment and supplies needed for testing, so they won't be ready until their published, schedule time. They can't make exceptions or chaos would ensue when everyone else expected the same. Thank you for understanding. Also, due to the large number of General Standards exams (up to 400) being given on day 1, it makes sense for test proctors to focus primarily on only one exam that day. With that said however, you can now take a category exam on the same day if you pass General Standards and have enough time to complete a second exam.
Can I take my category exam first and then worry about taking General Standards?
Answer: No. You should take category exams such as Field Crops and Turfgrass only after first successfully passing the General Standards exam.
What should I bring to take the in-person exam? What do I need if I’m taking the online exam?
Answer: You should bring your government-issued photo ID, a pencil, a basic-function calculator, and your retest letter (if applicable). If you are taking the exam online, you should also have one sheet of blank scratch paper.
I forgot my letter from IDOA. Can I still take the test, or do I need to go back to get it?
Answer: Yes, you can still test without it but you will need to provide your social security number for the paper work instead of the USA Plants ID number provided on the letter. Your pesticide license may already contain that number, so check your wallet.
I forgot my ticket with my barcode for this training clinic. Can I still take the training, or do I need to go back to get it?
Answer: Yes, you can still take the training without it. We can look up your name in our registration system to check you in. But check-in will be MUCH faster if we can simply scan your barcode. Often that line will be shorter too.
I'm between jobs right now. Can I still take the test and who do I write down as my employer?
Answer: Yes, you can still test. Simply write on the forms "seeking employment" for the employer's name. Once employed, call IDOA with the new information.
Can I just use the calculator on my phone for testing?
Answer: No. Only basic function calculators are allowed during testing. Phones have too many functions that lend to cheating. "Phone a friend" is an option on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" but not with pesticide testing.
Do you still sell calculators?
Answer: No, but IDOA has calculators they will loan out. When you pick up your test booklet, ask to borrow a calculator.
Do you still sell study manuals at clinics?
Answer: No, so plan accordingly. Many local Extension offices have our manuals in stock. Most orders to campus are shipped out that same day. See the PSEP website Study Materials page for directions on how to order.
I’ve been studying, but I’m still nervous about this test. Is there anything else I can do?
Answer: Check out our Tips for Certification Exam Preparation. There’s lots of good information in there to help ensure success!
When does my General Standards (GS) exam passing score expire?
Answer: If you pass your GS exam before Oct. 1, your exam score will expire on Dec. 31 of that same year. If you pass it on or after Oct 1, your exam will be valid throughout that year AND the following calendar year. Please test early if you’d like to be an Applicator. Do not wait until it is too late, and your General Standards exam expires.
When will you start offering Continuing Education Units (CEUs) as an alternative to testing? How many CEUs would I need each year? Can I simply retest and not worry about accumulating CEUs?
Answer: Unfortunately, there are still way more questions than answers about this newly passed legislation. The logistics of this new system still need to be worked out. So far, we know that this new pathway will allow applicators to utilize approved CEUs in lieu of retaking the core General Standards and Private Applicator exams. It is important to note that individuals seeking to add or maintain specific pesticide categories will still be required to pass the corresponding category exams. While significant work remains to fully implement this program, the current projection is to make the CEU recertification option available starting in the 2027/2028 licensing year. If you choose this route, you will likely need to participate in multiple classes each year, but that is still being determined. If that's not appealing, you can simply retest once every 3 years to maintain licensure.
Photo credit: AdobeStock by magele-picture
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.