More and more lawn care companies have emerged in recent years. Many business owners are just starting their companies and need to obtain the appropriate pesticide applicator license before applying pesticides, including herbicides.
To help simplify the process, we have put together the following to-do list to help you determine the licensure and category endorsements that are right for your business.
Follow the steps below to get started:
Step 1: Determine which categories you need
The first step is to determine which pesticide application categories apply to your business. All commercial pesticide licensees are required to pass the General Standards exam, which serves as the foundation for all other certification categories.
In addition to General Standards, you must obtain at least one category endorsement based on the types of pesticide application services you plan to provide.
Turfgrass – Required if you will apply pesticides to turfgrass, lawns, or golf courses.
Ornamentals – Required if you will apply pesticides to ornamental plants, including trees, shrubs, and flowers.
Rights-of-Way – Required if you will apply pesticides along roadsides, parking lots, driveways, construction sites, railways, or fence lines.
Aquatics – Required if you will apply pesticides to ponds, lakes, streams, or other bodies of water.
Mosquito – Required if you plan to provide outdoor mosquito control services.
Depending on the services your business offers, you may need one or more category endorsements. For most lawn care businesses focused on residential properties, the most common categories are Turfgrass and Ornamental. For lawn care businesses working on commercial properties, the most common categories are Turfgrass and Rights-of-Way.
Step 2: Determine who will be the applicator and the operator
Before applying for licenses, decide who in your company will serve as the Commercial Applicator and who, if anyone, will serve as Commercial Operators.
A Commercial Applicator is responsible for purchasing, storing, handling, using, or supervising the use of general-use and restricted-use pesticides for hire. The applicator may personally apply pesticides or supervise licensed Commercial Operators. Every company must have at least one licensed Commercial Applicator, and the categories on the applicator's license dictate the areas in which a company may legally apply pesticides.
A Commercial Operator is an individual who applies pesticides at the job site under the direct supervision of a licensed Commercial Applicator. Operators may apply pesticides only within the categories covered by the supervising applicator's license.
Depending on the size and structure of your business, you may have one or more Commercial Applicators. Each Commercial Applicator can be licensed in the same categories to increase the number of supervisors for any one treatment type, or serve as the acting Applicator for a small number of categories within a company. For example, one applicator can serve under the supervision of another applicator rather than also obtaining licensure in that category. If you operate a small business and the Applicator performs all pesticide applications, you may not need to have an Operator.
Step 3: Study or participate in training (optional)*
Although training is not required to obtain a commercial pesticide license, it is highly recommended, especially for individuals who are new to the industry or have limited experience with pesticide application. Completing training can help you better understand pesticide safety, laws and regulations, application techniques, and the material covered on the certification exams.
The University of Illinois Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP) offers several resources to help you prepare. You may choose to complete online training at your own pace, attend instructor-led training sessions offered throughout Illinois, or purchase manuals and workbooks for self-study. For more information about training opportunities and study materials, visit the PSEP website.
*Note: Commercial Operators planning to apply barrier mosquito treatments must obtain specialized certification by completing PSEP's Mosquito training, offered online or in-person, every three years.
Step 4: Pass the required certification exams
Passing the required certification exams is an essential step in obtaining your commercial pesticide license. The exam requirements differ depending on whether you are becoming a Commercial Operator or a Commercial Applicator.
Commercial Operators are required to pass the General Standards exam only. The General Standards exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions, and a minimum score of 70% is required to pass.
Commercial Applicators must pass both the General Standards exam and the category exam(s) for the categories in which you wish to be licensed. Each category exam consists of 50 multiple-choice questions, and a minimum passing score of 70% is required.
The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) offers certification exams both online and in person. Visit the IDOA website to learn more about testing options and available exam locations. All certification exams are closed-book and have a three-hour time limit per attempt.
Step 5: Complete the license application
After passing all required certification exams, you will receive a license application by mail within 6 weeks from IDOA. To complete the licensing process, fill out the application, include the appropriate license fee, and mail the completed application to the IDOA.
In addition to the application and fee, you must provide proof of Financial Responsibility Demonstration (insurance) to the IDOA. This requirement helps ensure that licensed businesses have adequate financial coverage in the event of personal injury or property damage caused by a pesticide application. Refer to the Financial Responsibility Demonstration section for additional information and instructions.
Step 6: Receive your license
After IDOA processes your license application, your official commercial pesticide license will be mailed to you. Once it arrives, you're all set to start offering pesticide application services in the categories for which you're licensed.
Congratulations, and best of luck with your business! These guidelines can also be found online at the PSEP website.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a license to apply fertilizer?
No. A license is not required to apply fertilizer alone.
I'm using General-Use pesticides only. Do I still need a license?
Yes. Anyone applying General-Use pesticides for hire must be licensed, as required by Illinois State Law.
I have limited time to study and take exams. Can I pass only the General Standards exam and still get a license?
If you pass only the General Standards exam, you may qualify for a Commercial Operator license, provided your company has a licensed applicator. To become a Commercial Applicator, you must also pass the required category exam(s) for the services your business provides.
Can I begin applying pesticides immediately after passing the required exams?
No. Passing the exams alone does not mean you are allowed to apply pesticides. You must wait until IDOA issues your official pesticide license before performing pesticide applications.
I'm the business owner, but I don't want to become a Commercial Applicator. Can one of my employees be the Commercial Applicator instead?
Yes. The Commercial Applicator is often the business owner, but it can also be a manager, supervisor, foreman, or another qualified employee who meets the licensing requirements.
Photo credit: Fred Zwicky / University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
ABOUT THE AUTHORS: Steven Zhu - As an instructional designer at the Pesticide Safety Education Program, Steven collaborates with subject matter experts to design online courses on pesticide safety training. He is interested in course development and instructional technology. He also maintains online exams and assists learners with inquiries. Additionally, he manages online registration for in-person training clinics and more.