(415 ILCS 60/11.5)

(This Section may contain text from a Public Act with a delayed effective date)

Sec. 11.5. Operator permit and certified applicator and dealer license renewal.

1. Subject to appropriation, sufficient available education courses, and successful procurement and implementation of any requisite tracking software, certified applicators, licensed operators, or registered pesticide dealers may elect to take education courses or an examination to meet the requirements for the renewal of certifications, licenses, permits, or registrations under this Act.

2. Before renewing a certification, license, permit, or registration under this Act, a certified applicator, licensed operator, or registered pesticide dealer must demonstrate competence and ability in the use of pesticides and an understanding of the requirements of this Act by either (i) successfully completing an examination administered by the Department or its designee every 3 years or (ii) successfully completing 15 hours of Department-approved education courses every 3 years.

3. In approving education courses and the providers of education courses, the Department may consult with other agencies and non-State entities with interests affected by the Act. However, the Department shall have ultimate decision-making authority with respect to the approval of education courses.

A. To be approved by the Department, an education course must be offered by an entity with significant familiarity and understanding of the Act and with pesticide application in Illinois.

B. Presentations or classes advocating for specific products, services, or the sale or use of specific products or services shall not be approved. This restriction shall not apply to courses that are offered by a person subject to this Section and intended to cover the proper use of the person's product, so long as the course provider does not advocate for or attempt to persuade the attendee to use that specific product.

4. Any education course used to meet the requirements for certification, license, permit, or registration renewal shall include all topics, laws, and rules that are contained in the examination for that certification, license, permit, or registration as provided for in the Department's administrative rules.

5. Any person choosing to meet renewal requirements by attending education courses under this Section shall be responsible for tracking the number of hours of education courses completed. Failure to attend the required number of hours of education courses will result in the person having to take the examination.

6. The Department may adopt rules to implement and administer this Section, including administrative rules related to education courses and their content, provider restrictions and requirements, and any related topic that the Department deems necessary or appropriate to implement and maintain the education course program described in this Section.

(Source: P.A. 104-363, eff. 1-1-26.)