Private Pesticide Applicator Training and Testing

A private pesticide applicator's license is required for anyone using Restricted Use pesticides to produce an agricultural commodity on property they own or control. Applicants must attempt a private applicator examination and obtain a score of at least 70% correct once every three years.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture and the University of Illinois Extension provide training and testing for anyone wanting to obtain an Illinois private pesticide applicator's license.  The fee for a private pesticide applicator license is $90.  If a license is destroyed or lost, a duplicate license can be obtained from the Department by contacting our Springfield office at (217) 785-2427. The fee for a duplicate license is $5.

In order for an individual to fumigate their own grain storage facility with a pesticide, a private grain fumigation category examination must be successfully completed. The license upgrade allows the individual to both purchase and use grain materials in their own grain storage facilities.

To see training and testing options, including signing up for exams and training workshops, please click the following link:  Training & Testing Options

In-person training workshops are available.  Testing (free of charge) will be offered following each training workshop.  

Preregistration and prepayment are required. For a listing of workshops or to register for a workshop please visit: Workshop Registration  or call (800) 644-2123 (Option 2).

In-Person Training Workshop Schedule:

Champaign - Dec. 11, 2025
Effingham - Dec. 18
Carterville - Jan. 6
Rock Island - Jan. 20, 2026
Springfield - Feb. 10
Quincy - Feb. 11
Collinsville - Feb. 17
Peoria - Feb. 25
Rockford - Mar. 10

To Sign-up for a Workshop please click on the following link: Workshop Registration

IDOA is offering in-person testing for all pesticide exams. Seating may be limited.  Pre-Registration is required for all in-person exams.  Bring photo ID.  No exams will be allowed without proper identification.

For a complete listing of testing locations or to register for an exam, please visit:

In-Person Testing Page  (Click Link)

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IDOA is offering online pesticide exams utilizing an exam proctoring service. Exam length and time allotment for online tests are similar to that of in-person testing. Individuals will need to register for each exam through the Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP) website, schedule each exam with the proctoring service, and pay a small fee directly to the online proctoring company due at time of signup. Online proctoring allows for compliance with federal certification and licensing requirements.

For more information or to register for an online exam, please visit: Online Registration.

Training Manuals and fill-in-the-blank-style workbooks are  available to help prepare you for the exam. 
For more information about obtaining training materials please visit:  Study Materials OR visit your local U of I Extension office that may have some training manuals in stock.

If you have questions, please contact the Illinois Department of Agriculture at (217) 785-2427 or click here for more information: Pesticide Home Page.