News & Updates from the SC Department of Pesticide Regulation
December 2025 – Issue 2
Welcome to the Second Edition of DPR Highlights!
Welcome to the SC Department of Pesticide Regulation’s Stakeholder Update! Thank you for joining us for another edition of DPR Highlights, our external newsletter designed to keep pesticide applicators, businesses, and stakeholders informed on important updates from the SC Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) at Clemson University. As we close out the year, we have several timely reminders, program updates, and seasonal notices to help you stay in compliance and prepared for 2026.
License Renewal Deadline – December 31, 2025
A reminder to all certified pesticide applicators:
Your 2026 license renewal must be completed by December 31, 205.
- Renewal notices have been sent to all applicators, businesses, and dealers.
- If you have not verified your current email address, please visit DPR’s website or click the link below.
- All licenses not renewed by Dec 31, 2025 will incur a 25% late fee penalty.
- Renewals received with a post mark of Dec 31, 2025 or before will be processed with no late fee.
- Any license not renewed by Dec 31 must cease all pest control activities, including advertising.
- All licenses not renewed by March 31, 2026 will be revoked.
Timely renewal helps avoid delays in receiving your 2026 credentials and ensures uninterrupted authorization to apply pesticides in South Carolina.
Attention: Reciprocal Applicators!
Your South Carolina pesticide license is based on maintaining certification with a reciprocating state. All reciprocal applicators are required to submit a copy of their current pesticide license from the reciprocating state in which you tested. Per the current Certification & Training (C&T) Plan, the department is required to verify certification status. You must email a copy of your current pesticide license from the reciprocating state by March 31, 2026, to DPRca@clemson.edu.
If it is not received by this date, your South Carolina license will be subject to suspension and/or revocation. If you have any questions, please contact us by email.
Verifiable Technician Retraining – Available Jan 2026
The updated Verifiable Technician Training (VTT) launched earlier this year in mid-February, 2025. As required by the Certification & Training (C&T) Plan, DPR is implementing an updated annual retraining process, which will be available through Metro Institute beginning January 2026.
All technicians trained under the updated VTT program must complete the annual retraining within one (1) year of their initial training date.
Metro Institute has incorporated the annual required retraining directly into the existing online training platform.
What 7A Businesses & Technicians Need to Know:
- Access: Technicians will complete the annual retraining by logging into their existing Metro Institute user account.
- Availability: Retraining becomes available one month prior to the technician’s 1-year training anniversary date.
- Cost: There is no charge for annual retraining.
- Training Content: Retraining consists of reviewing all ten VTT modules in sequence. No exam is required.
- Old Training Status: Annual retraining is not available for individuals trained under the former Registered Technician program. The Department will continue to accept the training card of any technician trained under the old material. However, the EPA’s updated Certification of Applicators (C&T) Rule requires uncertified technicians applying RUPs to be trained. The new VTT material will train uncertified technicians applying RUPs under the supervision of a certified applicator. South Carolina has agreed to adopt and implement the EPA’s C&T Rule updates by 2029.
- Recordkeeping:
- Technician ID cards will continue to display the initial training date
- Technicians and businesses are responsible for maintaining their own retraining records
- DPR will verify technician retraining status during routine compliance inspections
- ID Card Reprints: Technicians may reprint their VTT ID card at any time through their Metro account. Reprinting ID cards from the former training system is no longer supported.
For access and instructions, visit Metro Institute’s login portal. If you experience difficulties, contact your supervisor (DCA) or email a DPR licensing coordinator at dprca@clemson.edu.
A detailed guidance document for accessing the VTT retraining program will be available on DPR’s website in January 2026 and will include step-by-step “how-to” instructions along with screenshots outlining what technicians can expect.
Holiday Office Closures
As we approach the holidays, please note the following official closures:
All Clemson University offices, including DPR, will be closed:
- December 22-26, 2025
- January 1, 2026
In addition, several DPR staff members will be taking leave surrounding these dates. Response times may be slower than usual during this period, but we will respond to messages and process requests as soon as operations resume.
Please plan accordingly for licensing or regulatory needs that requires staff assistance.
Regulated Pest Alert: Yellow-Legged Hornet Found in York County — Report Sightings!
In coordination with the Department of Plant Industry’s Invasive Species program, DPR continues to monitor emerging pest threats in South Carolina.
Officials with the Clemson University Department of Plant Industry have confirmed the discovery and removal of a yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina) nest in York County, South Carolina — the first confirmed detection of this invasive species outside the state’s Lowcountry region.
Please see the links below to read the full news article recently released by Clemson News as well as access the important YLH Reporting Tool. Your vigilance plays an essential role in preventing the establishment of this invasive pest in South Carolina.
Thank you for reading this edition of DPR Highlights. We appreciate your partnership and dedication to safe and compliant pesticide use across the state. Stay connected through future issues as we continue to share updates, regulatory news, and resources for the South Carolina pesticide community.
