SC Pest Control 7A – 300 Q&A Study Guide (2026/2027)
South Carolina Department of Pesticide Regulation (SCDPR) | Clemson University Regulatory Services
Q1: What South Carolina law governs the licensing of pesticide
applicators?
Answer: The South Carolina Pesticide Control Act (S.C. Code Ann. § 46-13-
10 et seq.) governs the licensing and regulation of pesticide applicators in the
state.
Q2: Which agency administers pesticide applicator licensing in South
Carolina?
Answer: The South Carolina Department of Pesticide Regulation (SCDPR),
which operates under the Clemson University Regulatory Services.
Q3: What is Category 7A in South Carolina's pesticide licensing system?
Answer: Category 7A covers General and Structural Pest Control, including
pests that invade structures such as cockroaches, rodents, ants, termites
(general treatments), and other common household/structural pests.
Q4: How often must a South Carolina pesticide applicator license be
renewed?
Answer: Licenses must be renewed every year (annually) by the expiration
date.
Q5: What is the minimum age requirement to obtain a pesticide applicator's
license in South Carolina?
Answer: Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
Q6: What happens if a pesticide applicator's license lapses in South
Carolina?
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, SC Pest Control 7A – 300 Q&A Study Guide (2026/2027)
Answer: The applicator must stop applying restricted-use pesticides and may
be subject to penalties. They must re-apply and may need to re-test to
reinstate the license.
Q7: What continuing education (CEU) hours are required for renewal of a
SC pesticide applicator license?
Answer: Licensed applicators must earn the required CEU hours established
by SCDPR before each renewal; the number varies but is typically around 10
hours per renewal cycle for many categories.
Q8: What is the difference between a certified applicator and a registered
technician in South Carolina?
Answer: A certified applicator has passed the required exams and is licensed
to purchase and apply restricted-use pesticides. A registered technician works
under the supervision of a certified applicator and may apply pesticides but
cannot independently purchase restricted-use products.
Q9: Under South Carolina law, who is responsible for pesticide
applications made by employees?
Answer: The certified applicator (and the licensed pest control business) are
responsible for ensuring all applications are made in compliance with label
directions and state regulations.
Q10: What must a pest control business have before operating in South
Carolina?
Answer: A pest control business must have a valid business license issued
by SCDPR, at least one licensed certified applicator, and must meet insurance
and bonding requirements.
Q11: What is the purpose of the South Carolina Pesticide Control Act?
Answer: To regulate the sale, use, and application of pesticides to protect
human health, property, and the environment from improper pesticide use.
Q12: Is a homeowner required to have a pesticide applicator's license to
apply pesticides to their own property?
Answer: No. Homeowners applying pesticides to their own property for
personal use are exempt from licensing requirements, provided they use
general-use pesticides per label directions.
Q13: What records must a licensed pesticide applicator keep in South
Carolina?
Answer: Records of each pesticide application, including the date, location,
pest treated, pesticide used (EPA registration number), rate applied, and
applicator name, must be kept for at least 2 years.
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, SC Pest Control 7A – 300 Q&A Study Guide (2026/2027)
Q14: What must a SC pesticide applicator do if they wish to add a new
category to their license?
Answer: They must pass the applicable category exam for the new category
and submit the required application and fee to SCDPR.
Q15: What penalties can be imposed for violating the SC Pesticide Control
Act?
Answer: Violations can result in civil penalties up to $5,000 per violation,
license suspension or revocation, and in cases of criminal violations, fines
and/or imprisonment.
PESTICIDE LABELS AND SAFETY
Q16: What is the legal status of a pesticide label?
Answer: The pesticide label is a legal document. It is a violation of federal
and state law to use a pesticide in a manner inconsistent with its labeling.
Q17: What is the meaning of 'DANGER' on a pesticide label?
Answer: 'DANGER' (often with 'POISON' and a skull and crossbones)
indicates the pesticide is highly toxic (Toxicity Category I). Even a small
amount could be fatal.
Q18: What signal word indicates a moderately toxic pesticide?
Answer: 'WARNING' indicates moderate toxicity (Toxicity Category II).
Q19: What signal word indicates a slightly toxic or relatively non-toxic
pesticide?
Answer: 'CAUTION' indicates slight toxicity (Toxicity Categories III and IV).
Q20: What does the EPA registration number on a pesticide label indicate?
Answer: It confirms the pesticide is registered with the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency and has been reviewed for safety and efficacy.
Q21: What is the active ingredient on a pesticide label?
Answer: The active ingredient is the chemical component responsible for
killing or controlling the pest. It must be listed by common chemical name and
percentage on every label.
Q22: What information is found in the 'Directions for Use' section of a
pesticide label?
Answer: Application rates, methods, timing, target pests, sites where the
product may be used, pre-harvest intervals (PHI), and re-entry intervals (REI).
Q23: What is a restricted-use pesticide (RUP)?
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, SC Pest Control 7A – 300 Q&A Study Guide (2026/2027)
Answer: A pesticide classified by the EPA as having the potential to cause
unreasonable adverse effects on humans or the environment. It may only be
purchased and applied by certified applicators or persons under their direct
supervision.
Q24: What is a Material Safety Data Sheet (SDS/MSDS)?
Answer: A document provided by the pesticide manufacturer that details
chemical properties, health hazards, emergency procedures, first aid, and
safe handling information.
Q25: What personal protective equipment (PPE) is commonly required
when applying pesticides?
Answer: Common PPE includes chemical-resistant gloves, protective
eyewear, long-sleeved shirt and long pants, shoes and socks, and sometimes
a respirator or chemical-resistant apron, as specified on the label.
Q26: What does 're-entry interval' (REI) mean?
Answer: The minimum time that must pass after a pesticide application
before unprotected workers or others may enter the treated area.
Q27: What is an LD50?
Answer: LD50 (Lethal Dose 50) is the dose of a pesticide required to kill 50%
of a test population. It is used to measure acute toxicity. A lower LD50 means
the pesticide is more toxic.
Q28: What is the difference between acute and chronic toxicity?
Answer: Acute toxicity results from a single or short-term exposure, while
chronic toxicity results from repeated or long-term exposure at lower levels.
Q29: How should pesticides be stored to prevent accidents?
Answer: In original containers with intact labels, in locked storage away from
food, feed, and children, away from heat and sunlight, and in areas with
adequate ventilation.
Q30: What is the proper way to dispose of an empty pesticide container?
Answer: Triple-rinse the container, add rinsate to the spray tank, then dispose
of the rinsed container according to label instructions and local regulations
(typically recycling or landfill).
Q31: What does 'inert ingredient' mean on a pesticide label?
Answer: An ingredient that is not the active pesticide component. Inert
ingredients may include carriers, emulsifiers, solvents, and preservatives that
help deliver the active ingredient.
Q32: What should you do if pesticide gets in your eyes?
Page 4 | Prepared for Study Purposes Only
South Carolina Department of Pesticide Regulation (SCDPR) | Clemson University Regulatory Services
Q1: What South Carolina law governs the licensing of pesticide
applicators?
Answer: The South Carolina Pesticide Control Act (S.C. Code Ann. § 46-13-
10 et seq.) governs the licensing and regulation of pesticide applicators in the
state.
Q2: Which agency administers pesticide applicator licensing in South
Carolina?
Answer: The South Carolina Department of Pesticide Regulation (SCDPR),
which operates under the Clemson University Regulatory Services.
Q3: What is Category 7A in South Carolina's pesticide licensing system?
Answer: Category 7A covers General and Structural Pest Control, including
pests that invade structures such as cockroaches, rodents, ants, termites
(general treatments), and other common household/structural pests.
Q4: How often must a South Carolina pesticide applicator license be
renewed?
Answer: Licenses must be renewed every year (annually) by the expiration
date.
Q5: What is the minimum age requirement to obtain a pesticide applicator's
license in South Carolina?
Answer: Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
Q6: What happens if a pesticide applicator's license lapses in South
Carolina?
Page 1 | Prepared for Study Purposes Only
, SC Pest Control 7A – 300 Q&A Study Guide (2026/2027)
Answer: The applicator must stop applying restricted-use pesticides and may
be subject to penalties. They must re-apply and may need to re-test to
reinstate the license.
Q7: What continuing education (CEU) hours are required for renewal of a
SC pesticide applicator license?
Answer: Licensed applicators must earn the required CEU hours established
by SCDPR before each renewal; the number varies but is typically around 10
hours per renewal cycle for many categories.
Q8: What is the difference between a certified applicator and a registered
technician in South Carolina?
Answer: A certified applicator has passed the required exams and is licensed
to purchase and apply restricted-use pesticides. A registered technician works
under the supervision of a certified applicator and may apply pesticides but
cannot independently purchase restricted-use products.
Q9: Under South Carolina law, who is responsible for pesticide
applications made by employees?
Answer: The certified applicator (and the licensed pest control business) are
responsible for ensuring all applications are made in compliance with label
directions and state regulations.
Q10: What must a pest control business have before operating in South
Carolina?
Answer: A pest control business must have a valid business license issued
by SCDPR, at least one licensed certified applicator, and must meet insurance
and bonding requirements.
Q11: What is the purpose of the South Carolina Pesticide Control Act?
Answer: To regulate the sale, use, and application of pesticides to protect
human health, property, and the environment from improper pesticide use.
Q12: Is a homeowner required to have a pesticide applicator's license to
apply pesticides to their own property?
Answer: No. Homeowners applying pesticides to their own property for
personal use are exempt from licensing requirements, provided they use
general-use pesticides per label directions.
Q13: What records must a licensed pesticide applicator keep in South
Carolina?
Answer: Records of each pesticide application, including the date, location,
pest treated, pesticide used (EPA registration number), rate applied, and
applicator name, must be kept for at least 2 years.
Page 2 | Prepared for Study Purposes Only
, SC Pest Control 7A – 300 Q&A Study Guide (2026/2027)
Q14: What must a SC pesticide applicator do if they wish to add a new
category to their license?
Answer: They must pass the applicable category exam for the new category
and submit the required application and fee to SCDPR.
Q15: What penalties can be imposed for violating the SC Pesticide Control
Act?
Answer: Violations can result in civil penalties up to $5,000 per violation,
license suspension or revocation, and in cases of criminal violations, fines
and/or imprisonment.
PESTICIDE LABELS AND SAFETY
Q16: What is the legal status of a pesticide label?
Answer: The pesticide label is a legal document. It is a violation of federal
and state law to use a pesticide in a manner inconsistent with its labeling.
Q17: What is the meaning of 'DANGER' on a pesticide label?
Answer: 'DANGER' (often with 'POISON' and a skull and crossbones)
indicates the pesticide is highly toxic (Toxicity Category I). Even a small
amount could be fatal.
Q18: What signal word indicates a moderately toxic pesticide?
Answer: 'WARNING' indicates moderate toxicity (Toxicity Category II).
Q19: What signal word indicates a slightly toxic or relatively non-toxic
pesticide?
Answer: 'CAUTION' indicates slight toxicity (Toxicity Categories III and IV).
Q20: What does the EPA registration number on a pesticide label indicate?
Answer: It confirms the pesticide is registered with the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency and has been reviewed for safety and efficacy.
Q21: What is the active ingredient on a pesticide label?
Answer: The active ingredient is the chemical component responsible for
killing or controlling the pest. It must be listed by common chemical name and
percentage on every label.
Q22: What information is found in the 'Directions for Use' section of a
pesticide label?
Answer: Application rates, methods, timing, target pests, sites where the
product may be used, pre-harvest intervals (PHI), and re-entry intervals (REI).
Q23: What is a restricted-use pesticide (RUP)?
Page 3 | Prepared for Study Purposes Only
, SC Pest Control 7A – 300 Q&A Study Guide (2026/2027)
Answer: A pesticide classified by the EPA as having the potential to cause
unreasonable adverse effects on humans or the environment. It may only be
purchased and applied by certified applicators or persons under their direct
supervision.
Q24: What is a Material Safety Data Sheet (SDS/MSDS)?
Answer: A document provided by the pesticide manufacturer that details
chemical properties, health hazards, emergency procedures, first aid, and
safe handling information.
Q25: What personal protective equipment (PPE) is commonly required
when applying pesticides?
Answer: Common PPE includes chemical-resistant gloves, protective
eyewear, long-sleeved shirt and long pants, shoes and socks, and sometimes
a respirator or chemical-resistant apron, as specified on the label.
Q26: What does 're-entry interval' (REI) mean?
Answer: The minimum time that must pass after a pesticide application
before unprotected workers or others may enter the treated area.
Q27: What is an LD50?
Answer: LD50 (Lethal Dose 50) is the dose of a pesticide required to kill 50%
of a test population. It is used to measure acute toxicity. A lower LD50 means
the pesticide is more toxic.
Q28: What is the difference between acute and chronic toxicity?
Answer: Acute toxicity results from a single or short-term exposure, while
chronic toxicity results from repeated or long-term exposure at lower levels.
Q29: How should pesticides be stored to prevent accidents?
Answer: In original containers with intact labels, in locked storage away from
food, feed, and children, away from heat and sunlight, and in areas with
adequate ventilation.
Q30: What is the proper way to dispose of an empty pesticide container?
Answer: Triple-rinse the container, add rinsate to the spray tank, then dispose
of the rinsed container according to label instructions and local regulations
(typically recycling or landfill).
Q31: What does 'inert ingredient' mean on a pesticide label?
Answer: An ingredient that is not the active pesticide component. Inert
ingredients may include carriers, emulsifiers, solvents, and preservatives that
help deliver the active ingredient.
Q32: What should you do if pesticide gets in your eyes?
Page 4 | Prepared for Study Purposes Only
