Build trust and lead with experience, safety, awareness, and knowledge to help ensure safer pesticide application with training from the Pesticide Safety Education Program at University of Illinois Extension. Sign up for an in-person training and testing clinic offered across Illinois from December through March.
Those interested in attending an in-person training clinic should register early, as seating is limited. Find the statewide 2027 training schedule and options at go.illinois.edu/PSEP.
“With in-person training and testing clinic locations available statewide, our pesticide safety team can provide access to classroom-style learning,” says Michelle Wiesbrook, Extension specialist, weed science with PSEP. “Otherwise, online is another great opportunity to get studying, training, and testing taken care of on any schedule.”
The training clinics run for three and a half hours, followed by testing. The pricing is $45 for General Standards or Private Applicator and $25 for each category, including Field Crops, Rights of Way, Mosquito, Turfgrass, and Ornamentals. One- and two-day clinics are available. Check training dates and times before registering to ensure selection types are not occurring at the same time.
Registration and payment are required prior to attending a clinic and can be completed at go.illinois.edu/PSEP or by calling 800-644-2123.
Online training modules are also available, with testing offered both in-person and online. Details, including FAQs, cost, and registration, are found on the PSEP website.
Training manuals and workbooks are available for self-study. Several publications were recently updated, and others are currently in process. Check to see if you have the most up-to-date versions by visiting go.illinois.edu/PSEP-Study. Official publications should be purchased only from the official Illinois Extension Distribution Services webstore at go.illinois.edu/
Those new to the process or looking for more information about purchasing publications, attending a clinic, or the licensing process should visit the Illinois Pesticide Review Newsletter at go.illinois.edu/
For questions or if a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in this program, contact Jonathan Jackson, PSEP program assistant, at jjack74@illinois.edu or 217-244-2827. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet access needs.
ABOUT ILLINOIS EXTENSION: University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state’s land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 500 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through five program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, health and community wellness, and natural resources, environment, and energy.
SOURCE: Michelle Wiesbrook, Extension specialist, weed science and Pesticide Safety Education Program, Illinois Extension
