The General Standards Core Exam is required to become a licensed Pesticide Applicator or Operator in the State of Illinois.
This is a closed-book exam administered by the Illinois Department of Agriculture. It consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and requires a minimum passing score of 70%. Applicants seeking an applicator license must pass the General Standards Exam before taking the category exam.
Exam Time Limit: 3 hours
Exam Available: Oct. 1, 2026 - Aug. 31, 2027
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.