Illinois Pest Control License: How to Get Certified for Pest Control in IL

Does Illinois require a pesticide license?

Yes, the state of Illinois requires that you have a pesticide license to perform pest control work. The Illinois Department of Agriculture administers these licenses so you can legally apply general and restricted-use pesticides in commercial and residential settings.

Upon obtaining your Illinois pesticide license, you can provide the following types of pest control work:

• Apply or release chemical solutions or toxic gases.
• Set traps to kill or remove pests.
• Remove vermin that infest buildings and surrounding areas.

A pest control license in Illinois ensures that you will be legally working and paid accordingly.

Types of pesticide licenses in Illinois

The type of license you need will depend on the type of work you would like to do, including business licenses for business owners. 

In Illinois, there are 4 types of pest control licenses, and depending on your work, you may need more than one.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture defines pest control licenses into the following types:

License Types	Description
Private Applicator License	License holders may apply restricted-use pesticides to produce an agricultural commodity on property they own or control.
Commercial Applicator or Operator License	License holders may purchase, use, or supervise the application of general- or restricted-use pesticides for hire.
Commercial Not-for-Hire Applicator or Operator License	License holders may use or supervise the application of general- or restricted-use pesticides for any purpose on the property of an 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.
Pesticide Dealer License	License holders may sell general- or restricted-use pesticides for the production of an agricultural commodity in containers with capacities equal to or greater than 2-1/2 gallons or 10 pounds.

Illinois pesticide license requirements

To get your pest control license and start working, you must adhere to all requirements listed on the Illinois Department of Agriculture website. Illinois pest control licenses have varying requirements, so make sure you’re familiar with all the requirements for your license. 

Pest control license requirements include:

License Types	Requirements
Private Applicator License	• Must be at least 18 years old. • Must have written and passed either: → The private applicator exam with a score of 70% or more, or  → The General Standards exam with a score of 70% or more, or  → The Aerial General Standards exam with a score of 70% or more. • Returned the completed license application form with the appropriate fee to the Illinois Department of Agriculture.
Commercial Applicator or Operator License	• Must be at least 18 years old. • Must have written and passed either:  → The General Standards exam with a 70% or more, or → The Aerial General Standards exam with a score of 70% or more. • Must have written and passed one (or more) Category exams with a score of 70% or more correct.  • Returned the completed license application form with the appropriate fee to the Illinois Department of Agriculture.  • Provided a certificate of insurance with proper coverage. (Commercial applicators only.)
Commercial Not-for-Hire Applicator or Operator License	• Must be at least 18 years old. • Already employed and supervised by a currently licensed applicator. • Must have written and passed either:  → The General Standards exam with a 70% or more, or → The Aerial General Standards exam with a score of 70% or more. • Returned the completed license application form with the appropriate fee to the Illinois Department of Agriculture.
Pesticide Dealer License	• Must be at least 18 years old. • Must either: → Already be a licensed Commercial applicator, or  → Must have written and passed the Pesticide Dealer exam.  • Must be registered with the Illinois Department of Agriculture as a Dealer.

License application forms will be mailed to you after successfully completing the examination requirements.

How do I get a pesticide license in Illinois? 

There are different license options available if you want to become a licensed pest control and start working in the pest control industry.

Each license has multiple requirements, including licensing tests. Start by reviewing the different exam study materials available, so you can take the right pest control test with confidence:

• Manuals – The Illinois Department of Agriculture creates licensure exam questions exclusively from the respective manual. 
• Workbooks –  Key points from the manual are highlighted and use fill-in-the-blank style statements throughout to gauge comprehension of topics. 
• Online Training Courses – These self-paced courses allow individual access for 30 calendar days from the date of purchase. 

Let’s go through each pesticide license step-by-step, starting with the Private Applicator license: 

1) Complete the Private Applicator training course available to supplement the exam study materials.

2) Then you must write and pass either:

• The 50-question private applicator exam with a score of 70% (35/50) or more correct, or
• The 100-question General Standards exam or Aerial General Standards exam with a score of 70% (70/100) or more.

3) To write any of these exams, you must pay a fee before writing. 

4) Once you have successfully passed either exam, you will be mailed your application form to complete.

5) Return your completed application form to the Illinois Department of Agriculture. (Address below.)

6) Upon mailing your application, you must pay the application fee.

Here is a step-by-step guide to obtaining your Commercial Applicator or Operator license: 

1) Complete the General Standards and Category training available to supplement the exam study materials.

2) Then you must write and pass either:

• The 100-question General Standards exam with a score of 70% (70/100) or more correct, or
• The 100-question Aerial General Standards exam with a score of 70% (70/100) or more.

3) You must also write and pass at least one 50-question Category exam with a score of 70% (35/50) more correct.

4) To write any of these exams, you must pay the fee.

5) Once you have successfully passed either exam, you will be mailed your application form to complete.

6) Then you can return the application form to the Illinois Department of Agriculture. (Address below.)

7) Upon mailing your application, you must pay the application fee.

Here is a step-by-step guide to getting your Commercial Not-For-Hire Applicator / Operator:

1) Complete the General Standards training available to supplement the exam study materials.

2) Then you must write and pass either:

• The 100-question General Standards exam with a score of 70% (70/100) or more correct, or
• The 100-question Aerial General Standards exam with a score of 70% (70/100) or more.

3) To write any of these exams, you must pay the fee.

4) Once you have successfully passed either exam, you will be mailed your application form to complete.

5) Then you can return the application form to the Illinois Department of Agriculture. (Address below.)

6) Upon mailing your application, you must pay the application fee.

Here’s how you can become a licensed Pesticide Dealer. Before getting started, ensure that you are already licensed as a Commercial Applicator in Illinois. If you do not have this license, you must pass the test and pay a fee.

1. If you are not a Commercial Applicator licensee, you must write and pass the 50 question multiple-choice pesticide dealer exam with a 70% or more. 
2. Register with the Illinois Department of Agriculture as a Dealer.  
3. Pay the $300 registration fee. 
4. To write the exam, you must pay the fee.

All forms and documents can be delivered to the Illinois Department of Agriculture physically at the following address: 

Bureau of Environmental Programs

P.O. Box 19281

Springfield, Illinois 

62794-9281

Illinois pest control license testing

Along with the exams listed in the licensed pest control applicator, operator, and dealer requirements, you may take additional Category exams that are included in Illinois’ pesticide license testing. You must take these exams to perform specialized pest control work.

Each Category exam is 3 hours long and has 50 multiple choice questions. Applicants must score a 70% or higher to pass.

Specialized Category exams include the following:

• Aquatics exam
• Demonstration & Research exam
• Field Crops exam
• Forest exam
• Fruit Crops exam
• Grain Facility exam 
• Mosquito exam 
• Ornamentals exam
• Plant Management exam 
• Rights-of-Way exam
• Seed Treatment exam
• Sewer Line Root exam
• Turfgrass exam
• Vegetable Crops exam

To learn more about these Category exams or register, click here.

Illinois pesticide license costs

To become a certified pest control applicator in Illinois, the cost ranges depending on the type of license and number of categories you want to hold.

Here’s how the main costs break down according to the Illinois Department of Agriculture website:

	Course fee	Exam fee	Application fee
Private Applicator	$45	$12 each	$30
Commercial Applicator/Operator	$45	$12 each	Applicator – $180; Operator – $120
Commercial Not-For-Hire Applicator/Operator	$45	$12 each	Applicator – $60; Operator – $45
Pesticide Dealer	N/A	$12 each (if needed)	$300 (registration fee)

There is no cost for license renewal, but ensure that you file your renewal on time to avoid a late filing fee of $75.

Illinois pesticide license renewal

The state of Illinois requires that license holders hold an up-to-date license in accordance with its renewal status. 

In Illinois, Commercial, Not-for-hire Commercial Applicator, and Dealer licenses must be renewed every year. 

Private Applicator licenses, however, must be renewed every 3 years. 

All licenses and pesticide dealer registrations expire on December 31 of the expiration year (e.g., a license issued in 2022 expires on December 31, 2023). License renewal must be made within 60 days following the date of expiration.

What happens if my pest control license expires?

It’s illegal to work on any pest control job with an expired license in Illinois. If you think your Illinois pest control license may have expired, or will soon, it’s crucial that you stop all work immediately. 

If your license expires, or if you are late to apply for renewal, you’ll likely face penalties such as late fees. The late filing charge for any license, registration, or certification is $75.

You can renew your license here.

Does Illinois reciprocate pesticide licenses?

The state of Illinois allows pest control professionals from any state to apply directly for the corresponding pest control license. Illinois currently reciprocates pest control and pesticide licenses with all states.

To apply for a reciprocal license, follow this step-by-step process:

1. Complete the top portion of the Reciprocity Request and Verification Form and submit it to your home state regulatory agency.
   • Your state will complete the lower portion of the form detailing your licensure and test history in your state of residency.
   • They will then forward the completed form to the Illinois Department of Agriculture.​
2. Submit the Reciprocal Pest Control License Application form to the Illinois Department of Agriculture at the address indicated.
3. Pay the applicable licensing fee.

Requirements for business owners

Getting your Illinois pest control license is a great first step toward a strong and secure financial future. 

If you want to earn more, you can start your own pest control business with these straightforward steps:

• Define your pest control services
• Identify your value proposition
• Get pest control licensing and training
• Build your pest control brand
• License and register your business
• Get pest control business insurance
• Open a business bank account
• Invest in pest control equipment

Learn more about starting a business in Illinois here.

To run a pest control business, you must fill out the commercial structural pest control business license application and pay the $250 application fee. You must also ensure that your business has liability insurance so you can get to work safely. 

Now, you’re ready to start your pest control career in Illinois. If you need support, refer back here for information about pest control licenses.