Bill allows continuing education for pesticide applicator licenses

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Legislation that allows continuing education credits for pesticide applicator license renewals was passed by the Illinois General Assembly and now awaits the governor’s signature.

Under current regulations, applicators are required to meet certification and licensing standards in order to legally handle and supervise the use of pesticides.

In Illinois, the current process involves passing an Illinois Department of Agriculture pesticide general standards competency exam. To maintain pesticide certification and licensing, applicators are required to retake the exam once every three years.

The new law, SB 783, adopts a continuing education credits program, allowing holders of a current valid pesticide license to renew their license by seeking continual educational pesticide knowledge.

SB 783 would require the IDOA to create a CEC program, providing an option where a licensed applicator completes a certain number of hours or credits per year for a three-year recertification or license period.

“One of the biggest pieces of legislation for applicators in the state of Illinois passed,” said Kevin Johnson, Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association president.

“We’ve heard loud and clear from all of our members and all applicators in the state that they would like to have this option. There are a lot of things that still have to be done with the rulemaking, but we’re well on our way to get continuous education here in Illinois.”

Continual training provides current information sharing and increased knowledge and awareness pertaining to pesticide application.

This program is consistent with what many other Midwestern states are successfully using in providing ongoing continuous education when handling and applying pesticides.

SB 783 would slightly increase pesticide applicator licenses in order for the IDOA to implement the program.

Once the bill is signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, IFCA will inform its membership, commodity groups, the University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences and the IDOA will begin having discussions on the rulemaking process.

IFCA is aware that this might take some time to put in place and will inform its members of a timeline of rolling out the continuous education credits.

The House bill’s sponsors were Reps. Lawrence Walsh Jr., D-Elwood, and Jason Bunting, D-Emington, where it passed unanimously.

Senate sponsors were David Koehler, D-Peoria; Patrick Joyce, D-Essex; and Paul Faraci, D-Champaign. It passed by a 50-4 margin in the Senate.