As the 2008 growing season draws closer, it would be appropriate to review some basic information about the pesticide licensing requirements in Illinois.

A pesticide license is required of everyone who purchases and applies a "restricted use pesticide" or RUP. Those words are prominently displayed on every RUP label. A listing of RUP's can be found in the 2008 Illinois Agricultural Pest Management Handbook. Also, individuals applying any restricted or general use pesticide in the course of employment must have a license.

A person using a general use pesticide on his or her own or rented property is exempt from needing a license.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classifies pesticides as either RUP or general use pesticide. This is the result of 1972 amendments to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture is responsible for pesticide testing, and licenses those individuals who use pesticides in outdoor environments and in the production of agricultural commodities.

University of Illinois Extension provides training and study materials for those seeking licenses.

The Illinois Department of Public Health is responsible for training, testing, and licenses individuals using pesticides in and on manufactured structures. Such uses include nuisance bird control, rodent control, wood treatment, and insect control.

Additional information can be found at University of Illinois Extension offices at this University of Illinois Pesticide Safety Education Program web site: http://www.pesticidesafety.uiuc.edu/