South Carolina Pest Control License Renewal: Deadlines, Fees and CE

The Commercial Pesticide Applicator License - Category 7A (incl. Designated Certified Applicator) (Clemson University Department of Pesticide Regulation) renews every year, has a renewal fee of about $50 and requires 20 hours of continuing education. The Pesticide Business License - Category 7A (Industrial, Institutional, Structural, Health-Related) (Clemson University Department of Pesticide Regulation) renews every year and requires 20 hours of continuing education. Fees change, so check the official site for the exact amount.

Full rule details

Verified dataLast checked Oct 17, 2026, next review due July 2027

Informational: verify with the issuing board.

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Commercial Pesticide Applicator License - Category 7A (incl. Designated Certified Applicator)

7A-Commercial · State license · Clemson University Department of Pesticide Regulation

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Renew on the official site (864) 646-2150

Renewal cycle: Every year
Continuing education: 20 hours
Show CE rules
Recertification block Jan 1, 2024 - Dec 31, 2028: Cat 7A only requires 12 category-specific + 20 total CCUs (15/20 with one of 3,5,7B,8; 18/20 with two; 21/21 with three; 24/24 with all four). Max half of required credits in last year of block. Alternative: re-qualify via initial licensing requirements.
Deadline rule: Commercial and non-commercial licenses expire December 31 each year; renew before Dec 31.

Show fees, grace period, bond and insurance

Grace period: None stated; work after Dec 31 without renewal is a violation.

Fees, approximate

Renewal fee: About $50
Late fee: Show the details (amounts are approximate)
Renewal not filed before Jan 1: 25% penalty on the original fee (S.C. Code 46-13-80(C)). A license not renewed by April 1 of the following year requires re-examination.
Reinstatement: Show the details (amounts are approximate)
Inactive up to 5 years (fee still due, proof of insurance to reactivate); uninsured license suspended immediately, revoked after 90 days then exams retaken. Exam results valid 5 years.

Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Why approximate?

Boards change fees often and some charge extra processing fees. We show a recent amount so you can plan.

Bond: Not required
Insurance: Comprehensive general liability at least $100,000 combined single limit (Cat 7A/7B); deductible max $1,000; continuous coverage.
Reciprocity: Full commercial reciprocity with Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland and Tennessee. Partial: Arkansas (not category 7A), Florida and Georgia (all categories except 7A and 7B), Mississippi (core only), New Jersey and Virginia (SC 7A requires both 7A and 7B in the other state), North Carolina (SC 7A requires both structural P and W phases). The applicator must maintain certification in the reciprocating state. A Category 7A business license also needs a SC-licensed 7A Designated Certified Applicator.

Notes

Renewal fee: the DCA pays $50 and each additional licensed applicator pays $10 per licensed category up to $50 when all licenses are renewed together by Dec 31 (DPR FAQ); the statute (S.C. Code 46-13-60(3)(b)) sets $50 per office license and $5 for each additional certified applicator. DPR phone (864) 646-2150.

MediumLast checked Oct 17, 2026

Sources (6)

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Pesticide Business License - Category 7A (Industrial, Institutional, Structural, Health-Related)

7A-Business · State license · Clemson University Department of Pesticide Regulation

Remind me before this expires

Renew on the official site (864) 646-2150

Renewal cycle: Every year
Continuing education: 20 hours
Show CE rules
Applies to the Designated Certified Applicator (DCA)/commercial applicators: 5-year recertification block Jan 1, 2024 - Dec 31, 2028; Cat 7A alone: 12 category-specific CCUs and 20 total CCUs; more with additional categories (e.g., 7A+one of 3/5/7B/8: 15 specific / 20 total). No more than half of required credits may be earned in the final year. Credits via DPR-approved courses.
Deadline rule: Business license valid January 1 - December 31; renew annually before Dec 31.

Show fees, grace period, bond and insurance

Grace period: None stated; no work may be performed after Dec 31 until renewed.

Fees, approximate

Renewal fee: Check the official site for the fee.
Late fee: Show the details (amounts are approximate)
Renewal not filed before January 1: penalty of 25 percent of the original fee (S.C. Code 46-13-80(C)). A license not renewed by April 1 of the following year requires re-examination.
Reinstatement: Show the details (amounts are approximate)
Inactive status keeps license up to 5 years (renewal fee still due, no work, proof of insurance to reactivate). License without insurance is suspended immediately and revoked after 90 days; then initial qualifying exams must be retaken.

Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Why approximate?

Boards change fees often and some charge extra processing fees. We show a recent amount so you can plan.

Bond: Not required
Insurance: Comprehensive general liability of at least $100,000 combined single limit for Categories 7A/7B; continuous coverage; deductible no more than $1,000; Evidence of Financial Responsibility form from insurer required for new applicators; license suspended immediately if lapses.
Reciprocity: Full commercial reciprocity with Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland and Tennessee. Partial: Arkansas (not category 7A), Florida and Georgia (all categories except 7A and 7B), Mississippi (core only), New Jersey and Virginia (SC 7A requires both 7A and 7B in the other state), North Carolina (SC 7A requires both structural P and W phases). The applicator must maintain certification in the reciprocating state. A Category 7A business license also needs a SC-licensed 7A Designated Certified Applicator.

Notes

Initial business license $150 plus $50 for the Designated Certified Applicator (DCA), $200 total. The annual business license renewal fee is set by DPR and is not published in the public rules or website; renewal is paid through the DPR payment portal. Each location needs a full-time DCA licensed in Category 7A (one person cannot be DCA for more than one location). DCA must hold a four-year natural science degree or two years of verifiable pest control experience. Verifiable Technician training: initial $50. DPR phone (864) 646-2150.

MediumLast checked Oct 17, 2026

Sources (6)

The hours, required topics, approved providers and reporting rules for each license are on the South Carolina Pest control continuing education page.

How to renew

1Check your Commercial Pesticide Applicator License - Category 7A (incl. Designated Certified Applicator) deadline: Commercial and non-commercial licenses expire December 31 each year; renew before Dec 31.
2Complete 20 continuing education hours before renewing. Recertification block Jan 1, 2024 - Dec 31, 2028: Cat 7A only requires 12 category-specific + 20 total CCUs (15/20 with one of 3,5,7B,8; 18/20 with two; 21/21 with three; 24/24 with all four). Max half of required credits in last year of block. Alternative: re-qualify via initial licensing requirements.
3Confirm your insurance meet the board requirements and are not expiring.
4Renew online at https://psaworks.sites.clemson.edu/PestPay/
5Pay the renewal fee on the official site. Expect about $50, but fees change.
6If you miss the deadline: Renewal not filed before Jan 1: 25% penalty on the original fee (S.C. Code 46-13-80(C)). A license not renewed by April 1 of the following year requires re-examination.
7Check your Pesticide Business License - Category 7A (Industrial, Institutional, Structural, Health-Related) deadline: Business license valid January 1 - December 31; renew annually before Dec 31.
8Complete 20 continuing education hours before renewing. Applies to the Designated Certified Applicator (DCA)/commercial applicators: 5-year recertification block Jan 1, 2024 - Dec 31, 2028; Cat 7A alone: 12 category-specific CCUs and 20 total CCUs; more with additional categories (e.g., 7A+one of 3/5/7B/8: 15 specific / 20 total). No more than half of required credits may be earned in the final year. Credits via DPR-approved courses.
9If you miss the deadline: Renewal not filed before January 1: penalty of 25 percent of the original fee (S.C. Code 46-13-80(C)). A license not renewed by April 1 of the following year requires re-examination.

South Carolina Pest control renewal questions

Answers come from the records above. Informational: verify with the issuing board.

When does a South Carolina pest control license expire?

Commercial Pesticide Applicator License - Category 7A (incl. Designated Certified Applicator): renews every year. Commercial and non-commercial licenses expire December 31 each year; renew before Dec 31. Pesticide Business License - Category 7A (Industrial, Institutional, Structural, Health-Related): renews every year. Business license valid January 1 - December 31; renew annually before Dec 31. Check with Clemson University Department of Pesticide Regulation before you rely on it.

How many CE hours does a South Carolina pest control license need?

Commercial Pesticide Applicator License - Category 7A (incl. Designated Certified Applicator): 20 hours per renewal. Pesticide Business License - Category 7A (Industrial, Institutional, Structural, Health-Related): 20 hours per renewal. Check with Clemson University Department of Pesticide Regulation before you rely on it.

Is there a grace period for a South Carolina pest control license?

None stated; work after Dec 31 without renewal is a violation. Check with Clemson University Department of Pesticide Regulation before you rely on it.

How much does it cost to renew a South Carolina pest control license?

Commercial Pesticide Applicator License - Category 7A (incl. Designated Certified Applicator): About $50. Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

What happens if a South Carolina pest control license expires?

Renewal not filed before Jan 1: 25% penalty on the original fee (S.C. Code 46-13-80(C)). A license not renewed by April 1 of the following year requires re-examination. Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Does South Carolina accept pest control licenses from other states?

Full commercial reciprocity with Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland and Tennessee. Partial: Arkansas (not category 7A), Florida and Georgia (all categories except 7A and 7B), Mississippi (core only), New Jersey and Virginia (SC 7A requires both 7A and 7B in the other state), North Carolina (SC 7A requires both structural P and W phases). The applicator must maintain certification in the reciprocating state. A Category 7A business license also needs a SC-licensed 7A Designated Certified Applicator. Check with Clemson University Department of Pesticide Regulation before you rely on it.

Sources

Spot something out of date?

Informational only. Check it with the issuing board. Licensing rules, deadlines and CE requirements change, fee amounts are approximate, and this page can be out of date. It is not legal advice, and we are not affiliated with any state board. Read the disclaimer.

This information is here to help you plan, not to replace the board. Fee amounts are approximate and may be out of date. Deadlines and continuing education rules change too, sometimes without much notice. Always confirm with your licensing board and its official site before you rely on a date or an amount. This is not legal advice.

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