What's Going Online

The Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) is now making things a little easier for the South Carolina pest control industry.

Beginning in late 2008, DPR will offer online pesticide applicator exams.  Individuals wishing to become certified South Carolina pesticide applicators will have the option to take the Core exam, along with the category or categories they will specialize in, online at several locations throughout the state:  Aiken, Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, Florence, Spartanburg, and Rock Hill.*

“Exam sessions for written exams will still be offered at three locations throughout the state, at least six times a year, as we have in the past,” said Jim Wright, regulatory supervisor for DPR.  “The department recognized and responded to the need for individuals to have the option to take the exams online because of the growing demand for pesticide certification in South Carolina.  We feel very strongly that it is our obligation to make this process readily available to anyone who wishes or needs to take our certification exams.”

To apply for a pesticide applicator license, individuals must be at least 18 years-old, pass a two-part exam, and show financial responsibility with the proper level of insurance relative to the category in which they are licensed.

DPR offers 12 different categories of pesticide licensing, four of which are now mandatory in our state. Persons who apply pesticides to lawns, turf, or ornamental plantings for compensation or as part of their jobs must be licensed in Category 3, Turf and Ornamental Pest Control.  Category 5, Aquatic Pest Control, is required for those persons who apply pesticides to ponds and other bodies of water.  General and Structural Pest Control pesticide applicators, Category 7A, must obtain a license before applying pesticides, and public health applicators, such as persons who work for a city government mosquito abatement program, are required to have a license in Category 8, Public Health Pest Control.

Persons taking either the online or the written exam must preregister and submit the appropriate fees for both the online and the written exams.

“In addition to online testing, we are proud to offer pesticide license renewal through our website,” commented Wright.  “This gives all licensed applicators an additional means to renew their licenses quickly and easily.”

Information about pesticide applicator exams and license renewal can be found on the DPR website at clemson.edu/dpr.

*The test locations listed in this article at the time of printing are proposed locations.  When negotiations with testing sites are complete, a final site list will be available on the Department of Pesticide Regulation website at clemson.edu/dpr.

If you have questions, please contact DPR Department Head Dr. Joe Krausz at 864.646.2150 or you may email him at  jkrausz@clemson.edu.

Page maintained by: LeAnn Carver, leannc@clemson.edu