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Pesticide Regulation

Licensing

Overview

Commercial

If you apply restricted use pesticides, or if you apply any pesticide in Categories 3, 5, 7a, 7b, or 8 to another person’s property as part of your job and/or for compensation, you are a Commercial Applicator and must be licensed in the state of South Carolina.

Non-Commercial

Pesticide applicators who are employed by a Government agency (state, county, federal, local municipality, need to apply for a non-commercial applicators license.

Business

At this time, only persons wishing to open a business that will perform any activity in Category 7A are required to have a Business License through the Department of Pesticide Regulation.

Reciprocal

South Carolina offers reciprocal licensing with 13 states. This means that applicators in any of those 13 states who hold a license in an equivalent category (or categories) to South Carolina may obtain a South Carolina Pesticide Applicator’s License by filling out the Application for Reciprocal License and paying the applicable fee.

Private

To be certified as a private applicator, you must be at least 18 years-old, complete an application form, complete the proper training and pass an exam, and pay the pro-rated portion of the fee for the remainder of the five-year certification block in which the license is being issued.

Dealer

Pesticide dealers are individuals who are licensed to distribute restricted use pesticides. Each location from which restricted use pesticides are sold must have a separate person who is licensed as a pesticide dealer.

For questions not found here, please email dprnca@clemson.edu

Commercial

There are 2 ways to obtain a commercial license in SC:

  1. Take SC Exams, then complete the application process. or
  2. Reciprocate on your current pesticide license from a state in which SC has a reciprocal agreement.

 

Taking SC Exams

You will need to take the Core and Category exams. To register to take the exams, you will need to visit our Exam Information page. If you have any questions, please contact Karen Claflin at dprexams@clemson.edu. If needed, study material can be ordered through PSA Publications at Clemson’s Marketplace.

Once exams have been completed and passed, the required forms for a commercial pesticide license will be mailed or emailed to the examinee.  To apply for a commercial license, you will need to return the completed forms with your payment to our licensing department.

To apply for a commercial license you will need to complete and return the following items:

  1. Commercial/Non-commercial Pesticide License Application
  2. Evidence of Financial Responsibility Form
    1. This form is to be completed by the insurance company and is REQUIRED for all new applicators
  3. Licensing Fee
    1. Applicants for Commercial licenses must submit the $50 new license fee, along with the completed paperwork.

Reciprocating From Another State

 To obtain a reciprocal commercial pesticide license, you must have a current license from one of the states in which South Carolina has a reciprocal agreement with and complete the following forms to apply for a reciprocal license.  

To apply for a reciprocal license you will need to complete and return the following items:

  1. Reciprocal License Application
    1. Evidence of Financial Responsibility formThis form is to be completed by the insurance company and is REQUIRED for all new applicators
  2. Affidavit
  3. Copy of current pesticide license from the state in which you are reciprocating from
  4. Licensing fee
    1. Applicants for Commercial licenses must submit the $50 new license fee, along with the completed paperwork.

(Please note that if you have taken category 7A and are applying for a 7A – Structural Pest Control Business license or applying to be a DCA, there are additional forms you will need that can be found on our business licensing section.

Non-Commercial

If you apply any herbicides, insecticides, rodenticides, or other pesticides to another person’s property as part of your job and you are a federal or state government employee, you are a Non-Commercial Applicator.

There are 2 ways to obtain a commercial license in SC:

  1. Take SC Exams, then complete the application process. or
  2. Reciprocate on your current pesticide license from a state in which SC has a reciprocal agreement.

 

Taking SC Exams

You will need to take the Core and Category exams. To register to take the exams, you will need to contact Karen Claflin at dprexams@clemson.edu. If needed, study material can be ordered through PSA Publications at Clemson’s Marketplace.

Once exams have been completed and passed, the required forms for a non-commercial pesticide license will be mailed or emailed to the examinee. To apply for a non-commercial license, you will need to return the completed forms with your payment to our licensing department.

To apply for a non-commercial license you will need to complete and return the following items:

  1. Commercial/Non-commercial Pesticide License Application
  2. Send document to dprnca@clemson.edu

Reciprocating From Another State

To obtain a reciprocal non-commercial pesticide license, you must have a current license from one of the states in which South Carolina has a reciprocal agreement with and complete the following forms to apply for a reciprocal license. 

To apply for a reciprocal license you will need to complete and return the following items:

  1. Reciprocal License Application
  2. Affidavit
  3. Copy of current pesticide license from the state in which you are reciprocating from
  4. Send all requested documents to dprnca@clemson.edu

(Please note that if you have taken category 7A and are applying for a 7A – Structural Pest Control Business license or applying to be a DCA, there are additional forms you will need that can be found on our business licensing section.

Business

Pesticide Business License:  Do I need a pesticide business license and how do I obtain one?

A Pesticide Business License is required for anyone wishing to open a business that will perform any activity in:

  • Category 7A - Industrial, Institutional, Structural, and Health-Related Pest Control.

You must have a Designated Certified Applicator (DCA) in place before you can be issued a business license.  The DCA must be licensed by the Department of Pesticide Regulation in Category 7A.  He or she must be permanently assigned to that specific location on a full time basis while the business is open and operating.  No individual may be the DCA for more than one location.

To qualify as a DCA, you must have either:

  • Four-year college degree in the natural sciences or
  • Have at least two years of verifiable experience in pest control

If your Business License has been revoked or was suspended in the past, you cannot circumvent the suspension or revocation by applying for a "new" Business License.

Business Licenses are valid from Jan 1st to December 31st and must be renewed each year. Violations of the South Carolina Pesticide Control Act may result in fines.  If there are repeated or serious violations, your Business License may be subject to suspension or revocation.

To apply for a Pesticide Business License, you will need to complete and return the following items:

  1. A current Commercial License (or be applying for a commercial license– see Commercial Licensing section
    • If not currently licensed, you will need either:
      • Commercial Application - if you took and passed SC exams 0R
      • Reciprocal Application, Affidavit, and a copy of current pesticide license from state you are reciprocating from
  2. Pesticide Business License Application
  3. DCA Verifiable Experience Form
  4. Evidence of Financial Responsibility Form
  5. Licensing fee – the business license fee is $150, the DCA license fee is $50.  One check can be submitted for the total amount of $200 or pay online.

How do I change the DCA?

To change the DCA of a business, the applicator must meet the DCA qualifications (above) and will need to submit the DCA Verifiable Experience Form and $50 fee to the Department of Pesticide Regulation at 511 Westinghouse Rd. Pendleton, SC 29670. You may also pay $50 fee online.

How do I add/remove Registered Technicians to my business?

ALL Registered Technician training is handled through the South Carolina Pest Control Association. To register for the online verifiable technician training, order Reg Tech training/study material, or have questions concerning replacement Reg Tech ID cards and/or fees, you will need to contact the South Carolina Pest Control Association or call (803) 766-6161.  

Once the registered technician online training is completed, the online testing center forwards the technicians’ information and testing status to DPR.  We then import this new technician information into our database and connect them to the business license as a Reg Tech employee of the business.

To remove a Registered Technician from your business, please email us at dprca@clemson.edu.

Reciprocal

Reciprocating from another state?

South Carolina offers reciprocal licensing with 13 states. This means that applicators in any of these 13 states who hold a license in an equivalent category (or categories) to South Carolina may obtain a South Carolina Pesticide Applicator’s License by filling out the Application for Reciprocal License and paying the applicable fee.

States That South Carolina Holds Reciprocal Agreements With
State Category
Alabama All Categories
Arkansas 1A, 1B, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10
Florida All Categories except 7A and 7B
Georgia All Categories except 7A and 7B
Indiana All Categories
Kentucky All Categories
Louisiana All Categories
Maryland All Categories
Mississippi Non-Commercial, Private (Commercial - Core only)
New Jersey All Categories
North Carolina All Categories except 11(Must have both P and W Phase to obtain a reciprocal license in 7A)
Tennessee All Categories
Virginia All Categories (Must have both 7A and 7B to obtain reciprocal license in 7A (Must have both 3A and 3B to obtain reciprocal license in Cat 3)

The following items are  REQUIRED to be submitted in order to receive a reciprocal license from South Carolina:

Note:  If you are also applying for a category 7A pesticide business license and/or DCA license, you may also need the following:

Private

How do I become licensed?

1- Take SC private applicator training and exam

To be certified as a private applicator, you must be at least 18 years-old, complete the proper training and pass an exam. Pay the pro-rated portion of the fee for the remainder of the five-year certification block in which the license is being issued.

2 - Have a valid SC commercial or non-commercial license

If you have a SC commercial or non-commercial license, you may obtain a private applicator's license by submitting the proper application form and paying the pro-rated portion of the fee for the remainder of the five-year certification block in which the license is being issued. No additional training or exams are required.

3 - Reciprocate from another state

If you have a private pesticide applicator license in any other US state or territory, you may apply for a private applicator's license in South Carolina. You must reside out of the state of SC to qualify for this method of licensing.

To apply for a private reciprocal license, you will need to complete and return the following items:

  • Reciprocal Private License Application
  • Affidavit Form
  • Provide a copy of your current pesticide license from the state in which you are reciprocating from
  • Private license fee will be determined by the year of the recertification block, but not to exceed $10. You may pay the license fee online or mail a check/money order payable to: Clemson University to the address listed on the application. If you pay online, you may email your application and other required forms to Tammy Henderson at dprpa@clemson.edu.

4 - Be a Certified Crop Advisor (CCA)

If you are a Certified Crop Advisor (CCA), you may receive a SC private applicator license based on this certification. Contact Tammy Henderson at dprpa@clemson.edu for further details.

How do I earn recertification credits?

Private applicator licenses are issued in five-year blocks that end in 2019, 2024, 2029, etc. You must complete five Continuing Certification Units (CCUs) in any category of training during each five-year block.

How do I verify Continuing Certification Units (CCUs)?

Go to the  Private Applicator Program Page for the status of CCUs for the current five-year block.

Restricted Use Pesticides

Dealer

Pesticide dealers are individuals who are licensed to distribute restricted use pesticides. Each location from which restricted use pesticides are sold must have a separate person who is licensed as a pesticide dealer. Dealers must maintain records of all sales or other distributions of restricted use pesticides for two years from the date of sale and must make these records available to Pesticide Regulation field staff inspectors upon request.

Requirements for this license is that the applicant must pass a written examination, unless already certified as a commercial applicator. If an applicator does not hold a commercial applicator license, they must be complete the Application Exam For Certified Pesticide Dealer License and remit a $50 license fee. The Department does not allow reciprocity for a dealer license.

There are two options for submitting the completed application exam and Dealer license fee:

Option 1:
Mail the completed paperwork with you remittance payable to: (Do not send cash)

Clemson University, DPR
Attn Dealer License
511 Westinghouse Road
Pendleton, SC 29670

Option 2:
Email your completed application to dprpd@clemson.edu and submit payment online at:
The marketplace for the New Dealer License.

Verify a license: