In Illinois, those who apply pesticides for agricultural purposes must be at least 16 years old and pass a written exam.

Some states require that pesticide applicators take a training course of 16 hours or more. In Illinois, training is available from the University of Illinois Extension, but is not required. In most states, including Illinois, pesticide applicators must renew their licenses every three years.

For specific information about pesticide licensing, contact:

Certification is available from ARCPACS at the Soil Science Society of America. ARCPACS is a federation of certifying boards in agriculture, biology, earth and environmental sciences. This certification program identifies individuals who have met and maintain standards in education, knowledge and experience. For more information, contact: