Lawn Care Business: Pesticide Licensing To-Do List

STEP 1: Determine which categories you need

Before you get licensed, decide which pesticide application categories apply to your business.

General Standards (Required)

All commercial pesticide licensees must pass the General Standards exam. This is the required foundation for all other certification categories.

Choose your category endorsement(s)

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.

Tips

• Lawn care businesses serving residential properties: Most commonly need Turfgrass and Ornamentals.
• Lawn care businesses serving commercial properties: Most commonly need Turfgrass and Rights-of-Way.
• You can hold multiple category endorsements if your business provides different types of pesticide application services.

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.

Commercial Applicator

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.

Commercial Operator

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.

Tips

• Depending on your business, you may have one or more Commercial Applicators.
• Multiple Commercial Applicators may be licensed in the same category to increase the number of supervisors, or serve as the acting Applicator for a small number of categories within a company.
• A Commercial Applicator may work under the supervision of another Commercial Applicator instead of obtaining licensure in every category.
• If you operate a small business and the Commercial Applicator performs all pesticide applications, you may not need a Commercial 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 if you are new to the industry or have limited experience with pesticide application. 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 ways to prepare for the exams, including:

• Online Training – Learn at your own pace.
• In-Person Training – Attend instructor-led training sessions offered throughout Illinois.
• Study Materials – Purchase manuals and workbooks for self-study.

Visit the PSEP website for more information about training opportunities and study materials.

*Note: Commercial Operators who apply barrier mosquito treatments MUST complete the University of Illinois PSEP Mosquito training every three years to maintain their certification. This training is available online and in person.

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 depend on whether you are becoming a Commercial Operator or a Commercial Applicator.

Commercial Operator

• Pass the General Standards exam.
• 100 multiple-choice questions.
• Passing score: 70%.

Commercial Applicator

• Pass the General Standards exam.
• Pass the required category exam(s) for the services you plan to provide.
• 50 multiple-choice questions per category exam.
• Passing score: 70% on each exam.

Exam Information

• Exams are offered online and in person by the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA).
• All certification exams are closed-book.
• Each exam attempt has a 3-hour time limit.

Visit the IDOA website for available testing options and exam locations.

STEP 5: Complete the license application

After passing all required certification exams, IDOA will mail you a license application within 6 weeks. To complete the licensing process:

• Complete the license application.
• Include the appropriate license fee.
• Submit proof of financial responsibility demonstration (insurance).
• Mail the completed application and supporting documents to IDOA.

Financial responsibility demonstration (insurance) helps ensure that licensed businesses have adequate financial coverage in the event of personal injury or property damage resulting from 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 you receive your license, you're ready to start offering pesticide application services in the categories for which you're licensed.