How to Get a Pest control License in South Carolina (2026)

Clemson University, Division of Regulatory and Public Service Programs

Clemson University, Division of Regulatory and Public Service Programs

"Director" means the Director of the Division of Regulatory and Public Service Programs, College of Agricultural Sciences, Clemson University.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Open the official agency page

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/coderegs/Chapter%2027.pdf

Commercial applicator licenses shall expire on December 31st of each year.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Commercial applicators must be at least 18.

Commercial applicators must be at least 18.

No person younger than eighteen (18) years-old will be licensed as a commercial applicator.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Pass a separate category examination for each practice area (in addition to the core examination).

Pass a separate category examination for each practice area (in addition to the core examination).

Pass the Core examination, a basic test dealing with the minimum amount of subject matter considered essential to the safe use of restricted use pesticides. (2) Pass a separate Category examination for each of the practice areas listed above.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

A structural business's designated certified applicator must have a four-year natural-sciences degree or two years of verifiable pest-control experience; the director may waive experience on written application.

A structural business's designated certified applicator must have a four-year natural-sciences degree or two years of verifiable pest-control experience; the director may waive experience on written application.

the DCA must possess either a four-year college degree in the natural sciences or two years of verifiable experience in pest control. The Director may waive the experience requirement upon written application by the business licensee.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Category 7 applicators need at least $100,000 combined single-limit comprehensive general liability financial responsibility, including bodily injury and property damage.

Category 7 applicators need at least $100,000 combined single-limit comprehensive general liability financial responsibility, including bodily injury and property damage.

Category 7 applicators must maintain comprehensive general liability financial responsibility of not less than $100,000.00 combined single limit liability coverage, which must include both bodily injury and property damage coverage.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Commercial applicator licenses are renewable annually

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Commercial applicator licenses are renewable annually

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Expires December 31st each year.

Commercial applicator licenses shall expire on December 31st of each year. Applies to: Commercial applicator license

Commercial applicator licenses shall expire on December 31st of each year.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Category 7A requires 20 CCUs per recertification period, including at least 12 specific to 7A.

Category 7A requires 20 CCUs per recertification period, including at least 12 specific to 7A.

Applicators certified in Category 7A must accumulate 20 CCUs in each recertification period, no less than 12 of which must be specific to Category 7A.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Each main or branch office engaging in structural pest control needs a Pest Control Business License.

Each main or branch office engaging in structural pest control needs a Pest Control Business License.

No main business office where records are kept or branch office must engage in structural pest control activities in the State without first obtaining a Pest Control Business License from the Department.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

The business needs a full-time, location-specific designated certified applicator licensed in category 7A.

The business needs a full-time, location-specific designated certified applicator licensed in category 7A.

The DCA must be licensed by the Department in Category 7A and permanently assigned to that specific location on a full time basis while the business is operating.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

The business license runs January 1 through December 31.

The business license runs January 1 through December 31.

The Business License is valid from January 1st through December 31st unless suspended or revoked.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Commercial applicator recertification runs in shared five-year blocks.

Commercial applicator recertification runs in shared five-year blocks.

Recertification periods for commercial applicators are five (5) year periods, beginning January 1st of 1994 and ending on December 31st of 1998, 2003, 2008, and every five (5) years thereafter.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026