South Dakota Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification Testing

Who Needs Certification?

Commercial applicators 1) engage in the business of applying pesticides to the lands of another, 2) advertise as being in the business of applying pesticides to the lands of another at any time, 3) apply pesticides while in the performance of duties as a governmental employee, or 4) otherwise act as a commercial applicator. Because licensed commercial applicators cover more area than average pesticide applicators, may make applications near human population centers, and have access to the most potent of pesticide chemicals and formulations, the possible impact of their applications is extensive. It is because of this risk that commercial pesticide applicators are held to a higher standard than private pesticide applicators and must pass exams to be certification.

Commercial applicator certifications and licenses in South Dakota are split into categories reflecting the nature of the applications being made, such as category 1 for applications to agricultural plants to control agricultural pests and category 15 for applications to wood to control wood-destroying pests. You can find a list of categories in the South Dakota Commercial CERTIFICATION Categories for Pesticide Applicators & Dealers resource.