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How to become a licensed pest control operator in Illinois. State exam required. EPA certification required. Total initial fees: $600. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Pest Control
5
License Categories
Yes
Exam Required?
24 hrs
CE Hours
$600
Total Initial Fees
Not Required
Experience
Required
EPA Certification
Exam required
Exam required
Exam required
Additional Training
VerifiedAdditional fumigation safety training required
Exam required
Exam required
Works under supervision of a Commercial Applicator
Requirements
Full license to purchase, use, or supervise use of pesticides for hire
Requirements
Required for commercial pest control businesses
Requirements
Exam Requirements
VerifiedState Exam Required
Examination Requirement
Exam Categories
Exam Provider
State-administered by IDOA; both in-person and online exams available
Passing Score
70%
Exam Format
Multiple choice; General Standards 100 questions (70 to pass), Category 50 questions (35 to pass)
Retake Policy
May retake; pre-registration required for in-person exams
No experience required
No formal experience requirement; must pass exams
Experience Required
Supervision Details
Commercial Operators work under Commercial Applicators
Not Required
Training
Approved Programs
University of Illinois Extension Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP)
Apprenticeship
Commercial Operators work under Commercial Applicators
EPA certification required
EPA Categories
Details
Federal EPA certification is required for any applicator using restricted-use pesticides. State certification covers general-use pesticides.
Required
GL Insurance
Min: $300,000
Not Required
Surety Bond
Required
Business License
Yes
Separate from Individual
Requirements
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $240-$300 |
Exam Fee | Included in license fee |
Technician License Fee | $240 |
Operator License Fee | $300 |
Business License Fee | $300 |
Renewal Fee | $240-$300 |
Total Initial Fees Total varies based on categories and license type | $600 |
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified3 years
Renewal Period
24 hrs
CE Hours Required
CE Categories
Renewal Fee
$240-$300
Regulatory Board
Pest control licenses must be renewed on schedule. Most states require continuing education covering integrated pest management, pesticide safety, environmental regulations, and applicable state/federal law updates.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedDoes Not Accept Out-of-State Credentials
Transfer Details
Illinois does not offer formal reciprocity.
Pest control license reciprocity varies by state. Some states accept credentials from other states with equivalent requirements, while others require applicants to pass the state exam regardless of prior certification.
IPM not specifically mandated
Details
IPM is encouraged but not mandated.
Additional certification required for RUP
Requirements
Commercial Applicator license required for restricted-use pesticides.
Illinois issues 3-year licenses with the fee paid upfront ($300 for Commercial Applicator, $240 for Operator). The General Standards exam is 100 questions while category exams are 50 questions. Both in-person and online testing options are available.
Illinois offers 3-year licenses with fees ranging from $150 to $360.
Both in-person and online exams available.
17 licensure categories available.
General Standards exam is 100 questions with 70% passing score.
There is no interstate compact for pest control operators. EPA restricted-use pesticide certification is a separate federal requirement.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Illinois.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#14 of 51
Cost
#46 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Pest Control Workers (SOC 37-2021)
Entry Level
$38,580
25th percentile
Median
$46,310
+4% vs. national avg ($44,730)Experienced
$50,160
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
2,130 employed in this state
Source: BLS OEWS – Pest Control Workers (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+5.9%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
+5,700
over 10 years
Annual Openings
10,100
per year (avg.)
95,600 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 4–20 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Illinois Department of Agriculture — Licensing Requirements
2–6 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Illinois Department of Agriculture — Licensing Requirements
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Illinois requires passing a state exam for pest control licensing. EPA certification is also required. All licensing is managed through the Illinois Department of Agriculture.
Requirements vary by state and license category. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.