All Exams are remotely proctored. It is recommended (but not required) to schedule exam sessions at least 72 hours in advance. To schedule an exam session, click the exam you'd like to take, then click the blue Enroll Me button to view detailed instructions.

For more information and frequently asked questions see the PSEP website.

The Aerial General Standards Core Exam is required to become a licensed Pesticide Applicator or Operator in the State of Illinois. It is administered by the Illinois Department of Agriculture. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and requires a minimum passing score of 70% or greater.

Exam Time Limit: 3 hours

Exam Available: Oct. 16, 2023 - Aug. 31, 2024

Exam Fee$12 per attempt proctor fee

Questions about online exams? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.


The Aquatics Category Exam is required to become a licensed Pesticide Applicator in the State of Illinois. Categories dictate the area(s) to which a company may legally apply pesticides. It is administered by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, consists of 50 multiple-choice questions and requires a minimum passing score of 70% or greater. 

Exam Time Limit: 3 hours

Exam Available
: Oct. 16, 2023 - Aug. 31, 2024

Exam Fee: $12 per attempt proctor fee

Questions about online exams? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

The Demonstration & Research Category Exam is required to become a licensed Pesticide Applicator in the State of Illinois. Categories dictate the area(s) to which a company may legally apply pesticides. It is administered by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, consists of 50 multiple-choice questions and requires a minimum passing score of 70% or greater. 

Exam Time Limit: 3 hours

Exam Available
: Oct. 16, 2023 - Aug. 31, 2024

Exam Fee: $12 per attempt proctor fee

Questions about online exams? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

The Field Crops Category Exam is required to become a licensed Pesticide Applicator in the State of Illinois. Categories dictate the area(s) to which a company may legally apply pesticides. It is administered by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, consists of 50 multiple-choice questions and requires a minimum passing score of 70% or greater. 

Exam Time Limit: 3 hours

Exam Available
: Oct. 16, 2023 - Aug. 31, 2024

Exam Fee: $12 per attempt proctor fee

Questions about online exams? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

The Forest Category Exam is required to become a licensed Pesticide Applicator in the State of Illinois. Categories dictate the area(s) to which a company may legally apply pesticides. It is administered by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, consists of 50 multiple-choice questions and requires a minimum passing score of 70% or greater. 

Exam Time Limit: 3 hours

Exam Available
: Oct. 16, 2023 - Aug. 31, 2024

Exam Fee: $12 per attempt proctor fee

Questions about online exams? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

The Fruit Crops Category Exam is required to become a licensed Pesticide Applicator in the State of Illinois. Categories dictate the area(s) to which a company may legally apply pesticides. It is administered by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, consists of 50 multiple-choice questions and requires a minimum passing score of 70% or greater. 

Exam Time Limit: 3 hours

Exam Available
: Oct. 16, 2023 - Aug. 31, 2024

Exam Fee: $12 per attempt proctor fee

Questions about online exams? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

The General Standards Core Exam is required to become a licensed Pesticide Applicator or Operator in the State of Illinois. It is administered by the Illinois Department of Agriculture. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and requires a minimum passing score of 70% or greater.

Exam Time Limit: 3 hours

Exam AvailableOct. 16, 2023 - Aug. 31, 2024

Exam Fee$12 per attempt proctor fee

 Questions about online exams? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

The Grain Facility Category Exam is required to become a licensed Pesticide Applicator in the State of Illinois. Categories dictate the area(s) to which a company may legally apply pesticides. It is administered by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, consists of 50 multiple-choice questions and requires a minimum passing score of 70% or greater. 

Exam Time Limit: 3 hours

Exam Available
: Oct. 16, 2023 - Aug. 31, 2024

Exam Fee: $12 per attempt proctor fee

Questions about online exams? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

The Mosquito Category Exam is required to become a licensed Pesticide Applicator in the State of Illinois. Categories dictate the area(s) to which a company may legally apply pesticides. It is administered by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, consists of 50 multiple-choice questions and requires a minimum passing score of 70% or greater. 

Exam Time Limit: 3 hours

Exam Available
: Oct. 16, 2023 - Aug. 31, 2024

Exam Fee: $12 per attempt proctor fee

Questions about online exams? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.
The Ornamentals Category Exam is required to become a licensed Pesticide Applicator in the State of Illinois. Categories dictate the area(s) to which a company may legally apply pesticides. It is administered by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, consists of 50 multiple-choice questions and requires a minimum passing score of 70% or greater. 

Exam Time Limit: 3 hours

Exam Available
: Oct. 16, 2023 - Aug. 31, 2024

Exam Fee: $12 per attempt proctor fee

Questions about online exams? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

The Dealer Exam is required to become a licensed Pesticide Dealer with the ability to sell restricted use pesticides (RUPs) or general 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. The exam is administered by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, consists of 50 multiple-choice questions and requires a minimum passing score of 70% or greater.

Exam Time Limit: 3 hours

Exam AvailableOct. 16, 2023 - Aug. 31, 2024

Exam Fee$12 per attempt proctor fee

Questions about online exams? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.


This tutorial is provided to Pesticide Applicators/Operators to get familiar with the navigation options in the certification exams.  Note that this is entirely optional and does not provide any subject matter review.


The Plant Management Category Exam is required to become a licensed Pesticide Applicator in the State of Illinois. Categories dictate the area(s) to which a company may legally apply pesticides. It is administered by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, consists of 50 multiple-choice questions and requires a minimum passing score of 70% or greater. 

Exam Time Limit: 3 hours

Exam Available
: Oct. 16, 2023 - Aug. 31, 2024

Exam Fee: $12 per attempt proctor fee

Questions about online exams? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

The Rights-of-Way Category Exam is required to become a licensed Pesticide Applicator in the State of Illinois. Categories dictate the area(s) to which a company may legally apply pesticides. It is administered by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, consists of 50 multiple-choice questions and requires a minimum passing score of 70% or greater. 

Exam Time Limit: 3 hours

Exam Available
: Oct. 16, 2023 - Aug. 31, 2024

Exam Fee: $12 per attempt proctor fee

Questions about online exams? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

The Seed Treatment Category Exam is required to become a licensed Pesticide Applicator in the State of Illinois. Categories dictate the area(s) to which a company may legally apply pesticides. It is administered by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, consists of 50 multiple-choice questions and requires a minimum passing score of 70% or greater. 

Exam Time Limit: 3 hours

Exam Available
: Oct. 16, 2023 - Aug. 31, 2024

Exam Fee: $12 per attempt proctor fee

Questions about online exams? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

The Sewer Line Root Category Exam is required to become a licensed Pesticide Applicator in the State of Illinois. Categories dictate the area(s) to which a company may legally apply pesticides. It is administered by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, consists of 50 multiple-choice questions and requires a minimum passing score of 70% or greater. 

Exam Time Limit: 3 hours

Exam Available
: Oct. 16, 2023 - Aug. 31, 2024

Exam Fee: $12 per attempt proctor fee

Questions about online exams? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

The Turfgrass Category Exam is required to become a licensed Pesticide Applicator in the State of Illinois. Categories dictate the area(s) to which a company may legally apply pesticides. It is administered by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, consists of 50 multiple-choice questions and requires a minimum passing score of 70% or greater. 

Exam Time Limit: 3 hours

Exam Available
: Oct. 16, 2023 - Aug. 31, 2024

Exam Fee: $12 per attempt proctor fee

Questions about online exams? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

The Vegetable Crops Category Exam is required to become a licensed Pesticide Applicator in the State of Illinois. Categories dictate the area(s) to which a company may legally apply pesticides. It is administered by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, consists of 50 multiple-choice questions and requires a minimum passing score of 70% or greater. 

Exam Time Limit: 3 hours

Exam Available
: Oct. 16, 2023 - Aug. 31, 2024

Exam Fee: $12 per attempt proctor fee

Questions about online exams? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.