South Carolina Pesticide Applicator Continuing Education Courses

1 credit: Core
When pesticide applications become necessary for good turf management, it's important to understand how the application equipment works and how to properly calibrate the equipment. This course will provide turf managers with an understanding of the most common types of equipment used for pesticide applications on turf and how to properly calibrate the equipment. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

2 credits: 5
Aquatic ecosystems are extremely complex and fragile. This course covers the many aspects necessary for managing aquatic pests, from site evaluation and pest identification to pesticide application and treatment evaluation. Risk communication strategies are included, along with a variety of control methods in addition to aquatic pesticides. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

2 credits: 5
Managing aquatic weeds revolves around proper plant identification. Tailoring management strategies to address specific aquatic plant life is only possible through accurate identification. This course teaches the basics of aquatic weed identification and the different approaches to aquatic plant management. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

2 credits: Core
This course covers the importance of honey bees, details honey bee decline statistics, and outlines the strategies that can be implemented to coordinate the efforts of farmers, beekeepers, and applicators to find a balance between managing pests and protecting pollinators. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

2 credits: Category 7A
Structural applicators know that managing a bed bug infestation is difficult on many levels. This course looks at the history of bed bugs, current integrated pest management approaches to preventing and managing an infestation, and several of the chemical options available when your non-chemical controls and methods have failed. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

3 credits: Core
This course focuses on the use of cage and box traps in the management of vertebrate pests in both urban and suburban environments. Best practices surrounding appropriate traps for target animals, effective baits, and safe and humane use of traps will be outlined. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

3 credits: Category 3
Pest management of ornamental plants involves multiple steps from growing a healthy plant that is more resistant to pest damage to correctly identifying the problem when present. This course will cover the most common pests of ornamental plants. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

3 credits: Category 7A
In this course, South Carolina pest managers will learn how to identify and manage common exterior and interior pests that can cause property damage, infest stored food, or infect people. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Category 3
Managing weeds in a turf stand can be a tricky proposition. Often times the client fails to recognize that the presence of weeds in a turf stand is the result of poor turf, not the cause. This course will provide applicators with a working knowledge of weed biology, weed identification, and how herbicides work. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

2 credits: 5
1 credit: Core
This course discusses managing pests in aquatic environments. It contains extensive plant identification, discussing common weed types and species. Other pests, such as insects or birds, are also covered. In addition, this course explains a variety of control methods, outlining how to use pesticides safely and the necessary first aid for any exposure. Finally, calibration of equipment is explained and example scenarios are explored. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Category 3
Turf responds best to consistent cultural practices including mowing, irrigating, and fertilizing. But as turf managers know, there is a right way and a wrong way to do these. This course covers the dos and don'ts of good cultural practices that will result in a healthy vigorous turf that will be enjoyed for years. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

2 credits: 3
This course is designed for interiorscape pest control professionals in South Carolina. It discusses topics like Integrated Pest Management strategies for interiors, pesticide safety protocols, methods for fostering indoor plant health, and more. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Core
Pesticides are a key factor in pest management but it is important to understand what happens to those pesticides after the application. This course will review some key characteristics of environmental factors that can affect how pesticides move and degrade in the environment. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Core
Pesticides are regulated to utilize their benefits while protecting public health and welfare and preventing harm to the environment. This course addresses the federal pesticide laws that control the labeling, sale and distribution, storage, transportation, use, and disposal in the best public interest. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

4 credits: Core
Pesticides protect plants and animals from insects, weeds, and diseases; improve the efficiency of food, feed, and fiber productions; and provide for greater crop yields. This course outlines various invasive pests of field crops and how an applicator can effectively treat pest invasions while protecting themselves and the environment from the adverse effects of pesticides. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

4 credits: Core
Pesticides protect plants and animals from insects, nematodes, weeds, and diseases; improve the efficiency of food productions, and provide for greater crop yields. This course outlines various invasive pests of fruit crops and how an applicator can effectively treat pest infestations while protecting themselves and maintaining productive fruit crop yields intended for human consumption. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

3 credits: Category 7A
As certified or licensed professionals we have legal responsibilities that we must fulfill in every job that we do. Not only do have to control pests, but we also have to do the paperwork and legwork that documents our applications. This course reviews the basics of general structural pest management. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: 7A
German cockroachs can be a difficult pest to control. The temptation for most pest control operators is to reach for the pesticide right away, but there is much more involved in controlling a German cockroach infestation. This class will focus on an eco-friendly approach to German roach control strategies in the most difficult environments.

1 credit: Core
What is integrated pest management? The reality is nobody can agree on what integrated pest management is. This course will cover what IPM is and what isnt and how to be practical about IPM strategies. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Core
Managing noxious weeds can be a tricky proposition. Applicators need to be aware of both the federal and state noxious weed lists and how that affects management tactics. This course covers several weeds on the federal noxious weeds list as well as other noxious weeds found throughout the southeastern United States. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

2 credits: Category 8
To effectively manage a mosquito population as part of an integrated pest management plan applicators must be familiar with mosquito physiology, the lifecycle of the mosquito, and various collection and surveillance methods for both adult mosquitoes and larvae. This course will talk about surveillance methods, mosquito anatomy, and touch on the diseases that are most commonly vectored by mosquitoes in the United States. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Category 3
IPM of ornamental plants involves multiple steps; producing a healthy plant, correctly identifying the problem, recognizing that there will always be some pests and damage, and only using pesticides as a last resort. This course teaches the basics of pest and disease management for ornamental plants, and the different tools and techniques needed to successfully provide your clients with a healthy and attractive landscape. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Category 7A
Termites are one of the most destructive pests in the United States. But there are several common-sense IPM practices that can be implemented to make a structure less inviting to termites from the start. This course will provide a review of IPM principles, termite biology, and several IPM practices to make any structure less attractive to termites. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Category 3
As a turf manager, you'll need to be more than someone who just applies pesticides. Good turf management requires the use of all the tools in the toolbox. This course will touch on the best practice cultural, mechanical, biological, and chemical controls for turf management. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Category 3
This Effective Pesticide Applications in Landscape and Turf Settings course discusses benefits and considerations for developing an integrated pest management (IPM) program. Topics include a variety of pest-management methods, such as sanitation, pesticide use, augmentation, and mechanical and cultural control. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

2 credits: Category 8
Mosquito management is a daunting task for many applicators. When mosquito management is done incorrectly or isn't done at all, mosquitoes can make public spaces unusable. This course will discuss common methods of mosquito controls, everything from physical controls to pesticides, to record-keeping, all as part of a solid integrated pest management approach to mosquito control. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

2 credits: Core
This course is for agricultural pesticide applicators who want to become certified as commercial or public applicators of restricted-use pesticides for the control of natural areas. It outlines various invasive weeds in natural areas and how an applicator should go about treating natural areas with respect to wildlife and the environment. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Core
When pesticide applications become necessary for good ornamental plant management it's important to understand how application equipment works and how to properly calibrate the equipment. This course will discuss the most common types of equipment used for pesticide applications on ornamental plants, the way to calculate the volume of solution needed, and how to properly calculate the flow rate of the equipment. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Core
Wearing PPE can reduce exposure (dermal, inhalation, ocular, or oral) and thereby lower the chances of pesticide injury, illness, or poisoning. It is important that all pesticide applicators and handlers understand the protections and limitations of PPE. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

2 credits: Category 7A
This course offers valuable insights into safe, effective, and economical pest control methods. You'll learn how to manage South Carolina pests that cause harm to property, people, or quality of life while minimizing risks to yourself, others, and the environment. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

2 credits: 3
Learn ways to identify and control common pests that threaten landscape, turf, and interiorscape settings. Pest control professionals in South Carolina who take this course will understand how to maintain vibrant and healthy plant settings. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

2 credits: Core
This course discusses pest identification and management strategies for corn, soybean, and grain sorghum. Each species is identified according to various stages of maturity, the signs and symptoms exhibited, and the type of biological, cultural, or chemical control recommended for each. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Core
A pest is an undesirable organism that injures humans, desirable plants and animals, manufactured products, or natural substances. This course will discuss the importance of pest identification in pest control, describe how pest population levels trigger control procedures, and give several reasons why pesticide applications may fail. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Core
Pesticides may be applied as sprays, dusts, granules, gases (vapors), fogs, baits, rubs, or dips and require the correct equipment for the pesticide as well as the job size and type. In addition, you must properly select, operate, calibrate, and maintain your equipment. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Core
Safe and legal pesticide minimizes toxic threats to people and the environment. This course teaches South Carolina pest managers principles of pesticide emergency management and environmental protection. Learn best practices for public and environmental safety, including management plans and first aid for common chemical exposure hazards. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Core
Pesticides are formulated to make them safer or easier to use. There are many formulations available for various pest control sites and situations and it is important that applicators choose the best one for the job. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Core
Pesticides are designed to be toxic so they can control pests (e.g., plants, insects, rodents, fungi, and bacteria) while not harming non-target organisms and anyone else exposed to the product. Pesticide users need to be concerned with the hazards associated with exposure to the chemical and not just the toxicity of the pesticide. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Core
The pesticide label is the main method of communication between a pesticide manufacturer and pesticide users. By law, pesticide users are required to comply with all instructions and use directions found on the pesticide product label. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Core
Pesticide labels and safety data sheets (SDS) appear to contain much of the same information. While the label is the law, an SDS is not considered the law. As an applicator, it is important to understand the difference between a pesticide label and a safety data sheet and know what information can be found in each document. This course will review the various parts of pesticide labels and safety data sheets to identify the similarities and differences. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Core
Applicators and the public share concerns about how pesticides may harm the environment. Initially, hazards to humans were the primary reason the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) decided to classify a pesticide as a restricted-use product. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Core
Before beginning a pesticide application, you should know how to select the right pesticide for the job, review the label, test for pesticide compatibility before mixing, select personal protective equipment, transfer pesticides safely, and clean up after an application. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Core 
This course provides an outline of the primary concerns of the bee-keeping industry including colony collapse disorder (CCD), factors affecting honey bee decline, invasive insects, fungal disease, best practices for pollinator stewardship, and minimizing pesticide risks for pollinators. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

3 credits: 8
Public health pests affect humans through discomfort and disease and can be found in homes and other buildings and structures. This course will outline control techniques and requirements for the most common public health pests which includes mosquitoes, flies, fleas, lice, bed bugs, cockroaches, wasps, ticks, mites, spiders, and rodents. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

2 credits: Core
Labels are increasing in complexity and depth of information. It is never suggested that anyone try to memorize a pesticide label. By reviewing parts of a label and recognizing label language and use, we hope that you feel more comfortable with the information on pesticide labels and feel confident in understanding the information the present. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Core
When the pesticide label requires a respirator it's important to know how to use a respirator safely. This course outlines the types of respirators available, proper fit, and inspection/maintenance requirements. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Core
This pesticide use hazard course teaches South Carolina pest managers how to recognize and minimize toxic exposure to pesticide chemicals. Use knowledge of pesticide classifications and designations to better protect people, wildlife and the environment. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

4 credits: Core
This course will review the methods and techniques to manage vegetation on right-of-ways and non-cropland industrial sites safely without damage to non-target species, sites, objects, or the environment. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

3 credits: Core
Pest management in right-of-way situations can be a challenge. The economic thresholds are different in right-of-way situations compared to either a landscape setting or an agricultural setting. This course provides an overview of pests common to rights-of-way, management solutions, a look at the equipment commonly used to treat rights-of-way, and a review of calibration steps for that equipment. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

2 credits: Category 7A
An animal with a backbone or spinal column is called a vertebrate. A few vertebrates, such as rats and mice, are common pests in urban and industrial areas. Others are not pests in their normal habitats but may occasionally become pests when they conflict with humans. This course looks at basic management of common vertebrate pests. Be sure to understand all the regulations that apply in your geographic area before attempting to control vertebrate pests. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Core
In the last ten years, there has been a resurgence of treated seed use, largely due to the advent of improved chemical performance. We as agricultural producers are obviously concerned about the more modern applications of these processes. This course outlines the benefits and risks associated with treated seed products. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: 8
Mosquito control programs manage the population of mosquitoes to reduce their damage to human health. Mosquito control is a vital public-health practice as mosquitoes are the number one vector of disease globally, spreading many diseases. Mosquitoes can cause significant pain, irritation, and infection from their bites, which are a considerable nuisance. This course outlines mosquito control's components, methods, benefits, and complexities. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

3 credits: Category 7A
Having a clear understanding of the hierarchy of insect classification is important. It helps us better understand the background of our pest decide the best course of action in controlling the pest. This course will cover some of the structure infesting pests commonly encountered by structural pesticide applicators and technicians. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

3 credits: Category 7A
As a pest control technician, it's important to be familiar with the pests in the region as well as where they reproduce. In some cases, it is difficult to determine if the designated living space is inside or outside. This course covers the identification and management of pests that generally live outside but will invade a structure if the conditions are favorable. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: 5
One of the main factors in swimming pool maintenance is water chemistry. A few different facets need to be maintained. These include the organic content in the water, the pH of the water, total alkalinity, and calcium hardness. This course covers the basics of swimming pool pest management. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Category 7A
Inspecting and treating for termites can be a difficult process. Being familiar with common types of construction is extremely helpful. This course is a tour of the Mississippi State University Extension termite training facility. The facility consists of 12 different stations, each representing an area of a building or home where termites could enter the structure. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Core
This course discusses safety and security issues that may arise when pesticides are moved or stored, under what conditions uncertified people can make applications of restricted use products, and how to communicate these issues with customers. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Category 3
There are a variety of diseases, disorders, insects, and vertebrate pests that can cause problems in turfgrass. This course will give applicators and turf managers an overview of these common pests and strategies for their management. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

3 credits: Core
Pesticides protect plants and animals from insects, nematodes, weeds, and diseases; improve the efficiency of food productions; and provide for greater crop yields. This course outlines various invasive pests of vegetable crops and how an applicator can effectively treat pest infestations while protecting themselves and maintaining productive vegetable crop yields intended for human consumption. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

6 credits: 7A
Termites are just one of the many wood-destroying pests found throughout the United States. Carpenter ants, powderpost beetles, and wood-damaging fungi can also cause severe structural damage if not properly managed. This course will cover the primary wood-destroying pests found through the country, the recommended treatments for each of those pests, and the primary sources of excess structural moisture. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

3.5 credits: 7A
Wood is the most renewable resource, and the extraction and processing of wood products take far less energy, carbon, and water than other raw materials. To use wood as a structural material for various demands, such as utility poles, fence posts, marine pilings, lumber, timbers, and plywood, the wood must be properly treated with chemicals to protect the wood from pests. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

1 credit: Category 8
This course covers a range of mosquito-borne diseases with an emphasis on the Zika virus. Zika's extent, side effects, testing, and diagnostics are detailed along with protection and reduction techniques of mosquitoes to minimize the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases. This course must be completed by 12/31/24