Illinois Nursery Inspection Program

The nursery program inspection staff of the Illinois Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Environmental Programs inspects and certifies approximately 400 nurseries in Illinois each year.  These 400 nurseries are comprised of nearly 28,000 acres of nursery stock, 4,000 acres of Christmas trees, and 11,000 acres of sod.  Department inspection staff members also inspect and certify approximately 15 shipping greenhouses twice each year.  Approximately 3,000-3,500 nursery-stock-dealers are registered annually by the Department.  The inspection of these plants and plant products benefits both consumers and growers by ensuring pest-free plant stock. 

Also, certain nurseries and nursery dealers may be subject to additional state and federal restrictions.  These additional restrictions are a result of the establishment of state and federal quarantines or other regulatory actions due to the possible presence of specific insect pests or plant diseases.  Department staff members conduct special inspections and provide certifications regarding:

• Compliance with the U.S. Domestic Japanese Beetle Harmonization Plan - [http://nationalplantboard.org/japanese-beetle-harmonization-plan/]
• Compliance with Gypsy Moth compliance agreements   [https://agr.illinois.gov/sites/agr/Plants/Nurseries/Documents/gypsymothcomplainceagreement.pdf]; and
• Certification of greenhouses that regularly ship internationally or to states requiring a statement of inspection.

Please use the links below to get a listing of currently licensed nursery dealers and nurserymen:

• LICENSED GREENHOUSES
  
• LICENSED NURSERY DEALER
• LICENSED NURSERYMEN

• Application for Nursery/Greenhouse Certificate
• Application for Nursery Dealer Certificate
• Phytosanitary Request Form
• PPQ FORM 525A- Application for Permit to Receive Soil
• PPQ FORM 526- Application for Permit to Move Live Plant Pests or Noxious Weeds
• PPQ FORM 585- Application for Permit to Import Timber or Timber Products
• PPQ FORM 586- Application for Permit to Transit Plants and/or Plant Products through the U.S.
• PPQ FORM 587 - Application for Permit to Import Plants or Plant Products
• PPQ FORM 588- Application for Permit to Import Prohibited Plants or Plant Products for Experimental Purposes
• PPQ FORM 621 - Application for General Permit to Engage in the Business of Importing, Exporting, or Reexporting Terrestrial Plants