South Dakota Pest Control Regulations

South Dakota Department of Agriculture
Secretary of Agriculture
523 E. Capitol Ave
Pierre, SD 57501-3182
605.773.5425

The South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA) is the lead agency administering the pesticide certification program required by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). The SDDA trains, certifies, and licenses pesticide applicators, and licenses pesticide dealers.

Commercial Applicators

Generally speaking, if you apply pesticides for hire or are a government employee that applies pesticides while performing your work duties, you must have a commercial applicator license.

You are considered a commercial applicator if:

 

You apply pesticides to the property of another person for hire. Agricultural producers that apply pesticides for another person in return for trading of services are exempt, but are requried to have a private applicator certification.

You advertise as being in the business of applying pesticides for compensation.

You are a government employee that applies pesticides while performing your duties.

 

Commercial applicator certification and licensure is valid for two years and must be renewed by March 1st. A fee of $25 is charged for a commercial applicator license. Government employees who apply pesticides must obtain a commercial applicator license, but may be fee exempt. 

Certification

Commercial applicators must initially pass certification exams to become eligible for a license. 

To re-certify, commercial recertification classes are offered annually. Additionally, there are some classes offered outside of South Dakota that qualify for recertification credit. You must be certified to be eligible to purchase a commercial license. 

 

Private Applicator

Private applicator certification is required before an agricultural producer can purchase or use a restricted use pesticide. A producer who has the potential of producing more than $1,000 of an agricultural commodity must be certified to use any pesticide. Private applicator certification is obtained by attending a certification meeting or taking the online test. There is no fee for a private applicator certification, which is valid for five years.

The SDDA offers training for private applicators. You may access the schedule sorted by date or by county. Private applicators may also obtain certification by passing an online test.

Out-of-state Applicators

If you are a non-South Dakota commercial applicator looking to do business in South Dakota, please see our guide to apply for reciprocity.

Pesticide Dealers

The SDDA licenses pesticide dealers who do business in South Dakota. Commercial dealers must pass a certification exam to become eligible for a license. To apply for a dealer license, please complete the South Dakota Commercial Pesticide Applicator and Dealer License Application. A fee of $50 is charged for a pesticide dealer license. Commercial dealers must initially pass a certification exam to become eligible for a license.

Dealers are required to maintain records of sales of restricted use pesticides (RUPs). 

While a certified applicator must apply a RUP, it is permissible for someone who is not a certified applicator to purchase or pick up a RUP with written permission from the certified applicator. Such written permission must be filed by the dealer as part of the required RUP record.