Custom Applicators Take Center Stage in Illinois with New Continuing Education Option
July 24, 2025 Editor’s Note: Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association (IFCA) President Kevin “K.J.” Johnson recently joined CropLife Retail Week to discuss several key developments impacting Illinois ag retailers. Topics included a major milestone in applicator licensing with the introduction of continuing education options, a preview of the upcoming Midwest Ag Industries Exposition (MAGIE), and other timely industry updates. What follows is a summary of that conversation.
In a major win for Illinois’ ag retail community, a long-sought change in applicator licensing is set to become reality. For the first time, licensed custom applicators in Illinois may soon have the option to maintain their licenses through continuing education credits, rather than having to retest every three years.
“This is something we’ve been working on for many years,” said Kevin “K.J.” Johnson, President of the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association (IFCA). “Our members have asked us time and again to bring Illinois in line with other states like Iowa, Missouri, and Indiana where continuing education is already in place. We’re proud to say we finally got it across the finish line.”
Senate Bill 783, which outlines the framework for continuing education, passed the Illinois Senate 50–4 and sailed through the House unanimously at 115-0. It now sits on Governor J.B. Pritzker’s desk, with expectations that it will be signed into law before the end of the summer, likely during the Illinois State Fair in August.
The legislation officially takes effect January 1, 2026, but the new CEU program won’t be implemented until 2027 to allow time for rule-making and system development. Johnson emphasized that the program will be optional — applicators can still take the traditional test if they prefer.
The initial offering will apply to general standards only, but IFCA’s long-term goal is to expand CEU options across all applicator categories. “This will impact over 36,000 applicators in the state,” Johnson noted. “It’s about giving choices—and making sure our applicators stay at the top of their game.”
Applicators would be required to complete 15 hours of CE over three years — roughly five hours per year — with all coursework approved by the Illinois Department of Agriculture. “This isn’t just sales training,” Johnson clarified. “Courses will reflect real-world challenges and hot topics. Right now, that might be herbicide strategies or the Endangered Species Act. Five years from now, it might be adjuvants or AI in application. It’ll evolve with the times.”
The timing of this development couldn’t be better, as the IFCA gears up for one of its premier events: the Midwest Ag Industries Exposition (MAGIE), scheduled for August 20–21 at the McLean County Fairgrounds in Bloomington, IL. Among the highlights of the show will be the Custom Applicator of the Year Award.
“This award recognizes the boots-on-the-ground professionals who make ag retail work,” said Johnson. “The guys in the cab, doing the spraying — if they don’t do their job right, the rest of us have a much harder time. They deserve to be in the spotlight.”
The four finalists for this year’s award are:
- Clint Royer, West Central FS, West Point
- Jeff Revit, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Galesburg
- Cody Miller, United Prairie, Cowden
- Ed Smith, West Central RFS, Adair
The winner will be announced at the MAGIE tailgate party on Wednesday, August 21 at 3:30 p.m.
As Johnson put it, “Everything we’re doing — from CEUs to MAGIE to our legislative advocacy — is about supporting and elevating the work of custom applicators. They’re the backbone of ag retail in Illinois.”
Watch the full interview with IFCA’s K.J. Johnson here.
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