South Carolina Certification Categories

Category 1: Agricultural Pest Control

  • Plant: This category includes applicators using or supervising the use of restricted use pesticides in producing agricultural crops, including but not limited to: tobacco, peanuts, cotton, feed grains, soybeans and forage, small fruits, vegetables, tree fruits and nuts, as well as on grass lands and noncrop agricultural lands.
  • Animal: This category includes applicators using or supervising the use of restricted use pesticides on animals, including, but not limited to: beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine, sheep, horses, goats, poultry, and to places on or in which animals are confined.
  • Stored Grain Pest Control: This category is for applicators using or supervising the use of restricted use pesticides to treat stored grain, e.g. grain fumigation.
  • Soil Fumigation: This category

Category 2: Forest Pest Control - This category includes applicators using or supervising the use of restricted use pesticides in forests, forest nurseries, and forest seed producing areas.

Category 3: Ornamental and Turf Pest Control - This category includes applicators using or supervising the use of pesticides to control pests in maintenance and production of ornamental trees, shrubs, flowers, and turf. Licensing is mandatory in this category.

Category 4: Seed Treatment - This category includes applicators using or supervising the use of restricted use pesticides on seeds.

Category 5: Aquatic Pest Control - This category includes applicators using or supervising the use of any pesticides purposefully applied to standing or running water, excluding applicators engaged in public health related activities included in Category 8. Licensing is mandatory in this category.

Category 6: Right-of-Way Pest Control - This category includes applicators using or supervising the use of restricted use pesticides in the maintenance of public roads, electric power lines, pipelines, railway rights-of-way, or other similar areas.

Category 7A: Industrial, Institutional, Structural, and Health-Related Pest Control - This category includes applicators using or supervising the use of pesticides in, on, or around food-handling establishments, human dwellings, institutions, such as schools and hospitals, industrial establishments, including warehouses and grain elevators, and any other structures and adjacent areas, public or private, and for the protection of stored, processed or manufactured products or structures. Licensing is mandatory in this category. 

Special note for Category 7A applicators:  Except under very limited circumstances, all 7A applicators must be associated with a Business License.  Contact our main office at 864.646.2150 for more information.

Category 7B: Fumigation - This category includes individuals using or supervising the use of a restricted use fumigant for pest control.

Category 8: Public Health Pest Control - This category includes state or federal employees or other individuals using or supervising the use of pesticides in public health programs for the management and control of pests having medical and public health importance. Licensing is mandatory in this category.

Category 9: Regulatory Pest Control - This category includes state, federal, or other governmental employees who use or supervise the use of restricted use pesticides in the control of regulated pests.

Category 10: Demonstration and Research Pest Control - This category includes (1) individuals who demonstrate to the public proper use techniques for applying restricted use pesticides or supervise such demonstration, and (2) persons conducting field research with restricted use pesticides. Included in the first group are such persons as Extension specialists, county agents, commercial representatives demonstrating pesticide products, and individuals demonstrating methods used in public programs. The second group includes state and federal employees, commercial representatives, and other persons conducting field research on or using restricted use pesticides.

Category 11: Aerial Applicator - This category includes individuals who apply restricted use pesticides using any type of aircraft.

Category 12A: Wood Preservation - This category includes individuals who use or supervise the use of restricted use pesticides on wood as a preservative.

Category 12B: Anti-Fouling Paints - This category includes individuals who use or supervise the use of paints containing tributyltin.

Category 12C: Small Animal Pest Control - This category includes individuals who use or supervise the use of restricted use pesticides as pet groomers, etc.

Category 12D: Sewer Line Pest Control - This category includes individuals who use or supervise the use of metal sodium to treat sewer lines.

Category 12E: Glyphosate Limited Herbicide Only - This category includes individuals who only use glyphosate and no other pesticides.