News & Updates from the SC Department of Pesticide Regulation
November 2026 – Issue 4
Welcome to the Fourth Edition of DPR Highlights!
Welcome to the SC Department of Pesticide Regulation’s Stakeholder Update! Thank you for joining us for the fourth edition of DPR Highlights, our external newsletter designed to keep pesticide applicators, businesses, and stakeholders informed about important updates from the SC Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) at Clemson University.
As we approach the end of 2026, this edition highlights important information to help South Carolina’s regulated community prepare for the upcoming licensing year. Inside, you’ll find reminders about 2027 license renewals and recertification credit requirements, information about the updated SC Core Exam and study manual, industry awareness notices, and emerging pest concerns. We’re also pleased to introduce one of DPR’s newest team members as we continue working to keep our stakeholders informed, connected, and prepared for the year ahead.
Compliance Reminders
2027 License Renewals – Important Deadlines
2027 license renewal notices have been distributed! DPR has issued renewal notices to Commercial Applicators, Commercial Businesses, and Dealers. If you have not yet renewed your license, please locate your renewal notice and complete the renewal process before December 31, 2026, to avoid late fees and interruptions in licensure.
Renewal notices were sent primarily to verified email addresses on file with DPR. If you have not already renewed and cannot locate your renewal notice, please check your email inbox, including spam or junk folders. Contact DPR if you need assistance.
Need help paying your renewal fees online? Watch DPR’s new step-by-step payment tutorial.
Important Renewal Dates
- December 31, 2026: Annual licenses expire.
- January 1, 2027: A 25% late renewal fee goes into effect.
- March 31, 2027: Final deadline to renew with the applicable late fee.
All 2027 Non-Commercial Applicator licenses have been emailed to license holders with verified email addresses on file. Non-Commercial Applicators do not receive annual renewal notices. Please check your email for your updated 2027 license.
Note: Private Applicator licenses operate on a five-year renewal cycle. The current Private licensing period ends December 31, 2029. Private Applicators are not required to renew for 2027.
Keep Your Email Address Verified!
A verified email address is the most reliable and efficient way to receive important communications from DPR. Renewal notices, licensing information, regulatory updates, and other departmental announcements are distributed electronically to verified email addresses.
If your email address has changed or has not been verified, please update your information with DPR to ensure you continue receiving important notices.
Visit https://qrcodes.pro/2hfcOM or scan the QR code.
Recertification Credit Requirements – Know Your Deadlines!
DPR reminds all certified pesticide applicators to monitor their recertification credits and plan ahead to meet the requirements for their respective certification blocks.
The current Commercial and Non-Commercial Applicator recertification block began January 1, 2024, and ends December 31, 2028.
Commercial Applicators: At least half of the required recertification credits must be earned by December 31, 2027. All remaining required credits must be completed by December 31, 2028.
Non-Commercial Applicators: A total of 10 recertification credits must be earned by December 31, 2028.
Private Applicators follow a separate five-year recertification cycle ending December 31, 2029, and must earn a total of 5 credits by that date.
Plan Ahead!
Applicators are encouraged to review their current recertification credit totals and take advantage of approved continuing education opportunities. Waiting until the end of the certification block may limit available training opportunities and could affect eligibility for future license renewals.
Not sure how many credits you’ve earned? Watch DPR’s new tutorial on checking your recertification credits online.
New SC Core Exam – Transition Period Has Ended
Effective October 15, 2026, the previous South Carolina Core Exam has been officially retired. All applicants required to take the Core Exam must now take the updated SC Core Exam, based on the National Pesticide Applicator Certification Core Examination.
What Applicators & Businesses Need to Know:
- Existing Certifications Remain Valid
- Category Exams Remain Unchanged
- Exam Registration – Applicants will continue to register for examinations online through Metro Institute.
New SC Core Pesticide Study Manual
The updated South Carolina Core Pesticide Study Manual is available through Clemson University Press and should be used when preparing for the new Core Exam.
- Regular Price: $39.95
- Discounted Price: $29.95 with code 23PESTICIDE10
- Order SC Core Exam Manual – Clemson University Press
- Order Category Exam Study Manuals – Pesticide Safety Education Program – Clemson Marketplace
Please Note: Core and Category study manuals are purchased through separate ordering websites.
For additional information, visit DPR’s Exam Information webpage.
Department News – Meet the DPR Team
Employee Spotlight: Drake Kinley, Upstate Investigator
DPR is pleased to welcome Drake Kinley, who has joined the Department as an Upstate Investigator.
In his role, Drake will support DPR’s regulatory and compliance efforts throughout the Upstate region of South Carolina.
DPR investigators play an important role in promoting compliance with pesticide laws and regulations, conducting investigations, and serving as a resource for applicators, businesses, and the public.
Drake brings a background in row crop farming to the position. He will primarily serve Abbeville, Anderson, Greenville, Oconee, and Pickens Counties, conducting compliance inspections, investigating pesticide-related complaints, and helping ensure compliance with South Carolina’s pesticide laws and regulations.
When asked what interested him in joining DPR, Drake said he was drawn to the opportunity to build a career in a field where he can learn every day. He’s especially looking forward to meeting people who share his interest in agriculture. Please join us in welcoming Drake to the DPR team!
Industry Awareness & Consumer Protection
Door-to-Door Pest Control Sales in South Carolina
DPR has published a new Door-to-Door Pest Control Sales Warning Bulletin to help South Carolina homeowners recognize potential warning signs of unlicensed pest control activity and make informed decisions when approached with unsolicited pest control offers.
While door-to-door solicitation is a legitimate business practice for many licensed pest control companies, it is important that both businesses and consumers understand the requirements surrounding proper licensing, technician identification, and consumer protection.
What the Bulletin Covers
- Licensing & Identification: How homeowners can recognize properly credentialed pest control providers, including Verifiable Technician (VT) ID cards and pesticide applicator vehicle decals.
- Warning Signs: Potential indicators of unlicensed operators, including high-pressure sales tactics and refusal to provide company licensing information.
- Consumer Rights: Important information about South Carolina’s cancellation provisions for qualifying home solicitation sales.
- Reporting Concerns: How homeowners can report suspected unlicensed pest control activity to DPR.
Consumer Rights Reminder – Three Business-Day Cancellation Period
Under South Carolina’s Consumer Protection Code, S.C. Code 37-2-501 addresses qualifying home solicitation sales, while S.C. Code 37-2-502 provides buyers the right to cancel certain qualifying agreements until midnight of the third business day after signing, subject to applicable exceptions.
Licensed pest control businesses conducting door-to-door sales are encouraged to review these provisions and ensure their sales practices comply with applicable consumer protection requirements.
Review South Carolina’s Home Solicitation Sales Laws – S.C. Code 37-2-501 through 37-2-503
Share This Resource with Your Customers
Licensed pest control businesses are encouraged to share DPR’s new bulletin with customers and employees to promote consumer awareness, transparency, and professionalism throughout South Carolina’s pest management industry.
View DPR’s – Door-to-Door Pest Control Sales Warning Bulletin
The bulletin is available on DPR’s homepage.
Emerging Pest Concern – New World Screwworm
The New World Screwworm (NWS), Cochliomyia hominivorax, is a serious livestock and animal health threat that has prompted increased surveillance and preparedness efforts across the United States.
Unlike most fly larvae, New World screwworm larvae feed on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals, including livestock, wildlife, pets, and occasionally humans. Infestations can cause severe tissue damage and require prompt veterinary attention.
New DPR Regulatory & Pest Awareness Bulletin Available
As part of South Carolina’s preparedness efforts, DPR has developed a New World Screwworm Regulatory & Pest Awareness Bulletin to provide licensed applicators, businesses, dealers, and agricultural stakeholders with important information and resources.
The bulletin highlights South Carolina’s preparedness and response efforts, information from Clemson University animal health and pesticide regulatory officials, and guidance on recognizing and reporting suspected NWS infestations.
New SC Registered Pesticide Products Reference Guide
DPR has compiled a South Carolina Registered Pesticide Products Reference Guide identifying products registered in South Carolina that may be relevant to NWS control.
The guide includes product names, EPA registration numbers linked to DPR’s product registration records, active ingredients, and indicators for products identified for FIFRA Section 2(ee) review.
Important: Inclusion in the reference guide does not necessarily indicate that a product is labeled or authorized for NWS control. Applicators, businesses, and dealers should verify current South Carolina registration, applicable product labeling, and any relevant FIFRA Section 2(ee) requirements before selling, recommending, or applying a pesticide.
DPR encourages South Carolina’s regulated pesticide community to review these resources, remain informed about emerging NWS developments, and follow all applicable pesticide registration and labeling requirements.
Access DPR’s New NWS Resources
Regulated Pest Alert: Yellow-Legged Hornet
The Yellow-Legged Hornet (YLH), remains an invasive pest of concern in South Carolina, preying on honey bees and other beneficial insects, creating potential impacts on beekeeping operations, pollination, and agricultural production.
Clemson University’s Department of Plant Industry, in cooperation with USDA partners, continues to monitor hornet activity and respond to reported sightings.
Identification Features
- Predominantly dark body with distinctive yellow-tipped legs.
- Dark abdomen with a prominent yellow-orange band.
- Paper nests that may be found in trees, shrubs, structures, or other sheltered locations.
- Hornets may be observed hovering near honey bee colonies and capturing foraging bees.
If you encounter a suspected Yellow-Legged Hornet or nest in your area, do not attempt to disturb or remove it. Snap a picture from a safe distance and report it using the YLH Reporting Tool!
Stay Connected with DPR – Follow Us on Social Media!
DPR is expanding its social media presence to better connect with South Carolina’s pesticide applicators, businesses, and industry partners! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for a new way to stay informed about departmental news, regulatory updates, and educational resources.
Through these platforms, DPR will share timely announcements, important reminders, and helpful resources designed to make navigating departmental services easier.
New DPR “How-To” Video Tutorials – Now Available!
Have questions about pesticide licensing, registering for certification exams, checking recertification credits, or paying renewal fees online?
DPR has developed a series of short, step-by-step instructional videos to help applicators and businesses navigate some of the Department’s most frequently used online services.
Created by DPR Outreach Intern Rebecca, in coordination with Clemson University’s Marketing and Communications team, these helpful tutorials are now available on the Clemson University College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Science (CAFLS) YouTube channel.
Each video walks viewers through a specific process, showing where to find information and what to expect along the way.
Explore DPR’s New How-To Tutorials:
- How to Check Your Recertification Credits Online
- How to Find DPR Information & Licensing Requirements
- How to Pay Your License Renewal Fees Online
- How to Register for Pesticide Certification Exams
We encourage applicators, businesses, and industry partners to explore these videos and share them with employees or others who may find them helpful.
Like, Follow & Stay Informed!
Stay connected with DPR for important announcements, regulatory reminders, educational resources, and helpful tutorials throughout the year!
- Facebook: Follow DPR on Facebook
- Instagram: Follow DPR on Instagram
Thank you for reading the Fall 2026 edition of DPR Highlights! We appreciate your continued cooperation and commitment to responsible pesticide use and regulatory compliance throughout South Carolina.
We look forward to keeping you informed and connected through future editions of DPR Highlights and our growing online resources.
