Welcome to the Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP)! This page is for Online Commercial Exams. To schedule exams, please click the button below.


All Exams are administered by the Illinois Department of Agriculture and are remotely proctored. A proctoring service fee is required for each exam attempt. It is recommended (but not required) to schedule exam sessions at least 72 hours in advance. 

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

The Ornamentals Category Exam is required to become a licensed Pesticide Applicator in the State of Illinois for pesticide use on trees, shrubs, and ornamental plantings.

Categories dictate the area(s) to which a company may legally apply pesticides. This closed-book exam is administered by the Illinois Department of Agriculture. It consists of 50 multiple-choice questions and requires a minimum passing score of 70%.

Exam Time Limit: 3 hours

Exam Available
: Oct. 15, 2025 - Aug. 31, 2026

Exam Fee: $12.6 per attempt proctor fee

To sign up for exams, please see Commercial Exam Enrollment. Questions about online exams? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

The Dealer Exam is required to become a licensed Pesticide Dealer in the State of Illinois to sell restricted-use pesticides (RUPs) or general-use pesticides for the production of an agricultural commodity in containers with capacities of 2½ gallons or more, or 10 pounds or more.

This closed-book exam is administered by the Illinois Department of Agriculture. It consists of 50 multiple-choice questions and requires a minimum passing score of 70%.

Exam Time Limit: 3 hours

Exam AvailableOct. 15, 2025 - Aug. 31, 2026

Exam Fee$12.6 per attempt proctor fee

To sign up for exams, please see Commercial Exam Enrollment. Questions about online exams? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

This tutorial is provided to Pesticide License test takers 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 for pesticide use on portable plants used for interior landscaping and environmental enhancement.

Categories dictate the area(s) to which a company may legally apply pesticides. This closed-book exam is administered by the Illinois Department of Agriculture. It consists of 50 multiple-choice questions and requires a minimum passing score of 70%.

Exam Time Limit: 3 hours

Exam Available: Oct. 15, 2025 - Aug. 31, 2026

Exam Fee: $12.6 per attempt proctor fee


To sign up for exams, please see Commercial Exam Enrollment. 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 for chemical weed control on non-crop​ sites such as parking lots, along roads, in access rights-of-way, and in fence lines.

Categories dictate the area(s) to which a company may legally apply pesticides. This closed-book exam is administered by the Illinois Department of Agriculture. It consists of 50 multiple-choice questions and requires a minimum passing score of 70%.

Exam Time Limit: 3 hours

Exam Available
: Oct. 15, 2025 - Aug. 31, 2026

Exam Fee: $12.6 per attempt proctor fee

To sign up for exams, please see Commercial Exam Enrollment. 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 for pesticide use on seeds.

Categories dictate the area(s) to which a company may legally apply pesticides. This closed-book exam is administered by the Illinois Department of Agriculture. It consists of 50 multiple-choice questions and requires a minimum passing score of 70%.

Exam Time Limit: 3 hours

Exam Available
: Oct. 15, 2025 - Aug. 31, 2026

Exam Fee: $12.6 per attempt proctor fee

To sign up for exams, please see Commercial Exam Enrollment. 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 Illinois for the chemical control of roots in sewer lines.

Categories dictate the area(s) to which a company may legally apply pesticides. This closed-book exam is administered by the Illinois Department of Agriculture. It consists of 50 multiple-choice questions and requires a minimum passing score of 70%

Exam Time Limit: 3 hours

Exam Available
: Oct. 15, 2025 - Aug. 31, 2026

Exam Fee: $12.6 per attempt proctor fee

To sign up for exams, please see Commercial Exam Enrollment. 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 for pesticide use on turf areas and sod farms.

Categories dictate the area(s) to which a company may legally apply pesticides. This closed-book exam is administered by the Illinois Department of Agriculture. It consists of 50 multiple-choice questions and requires a minimum passing score of 70%.

Exam Time Limit: 3 hours

Exam Available
: Oct. 15, 2025 - Aug. 31, 2026

Exam Fee: $12.6 per attempt proctor fee

To sign up for exams, please see Commercial Exam Enrollment. 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 for pesticide use in vegetable crops and medical/recreational cannabis.

Categories dictate the area(s) to which a company may legally apply pesticides. This closed-book exam is administered by the Illinois Department of Agriculture. It consists of 50 multiple-choice questions and requires a minimum passing score of 70%.

Exam Time Limit: 3 hours

Exam Available
: Oct. 15, 2025 - Aug. 31, 2026

Exam Fee: $12.6 per attempt proctor fee

To sign up for exams, please see Commercial Exam Enrollment. Questions about online exams? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.