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South Dakota Pesticide Applicator — Requirements & Free Practice

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Private Pesticide Applicator License

Private agricultural applicators are certified and licensed; approved training is an alternative to the general exam. General certification alone does not authorize the three endorsement uses. Licenses may be restricted under SDCL 38-21-22.

Licensing authority: South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources · Application information

Private certification with a discretionary reciprocal examination waiver
South Dakota Private Pesticide Applicator Exam
Agricultural scope
Private agricultural use on owned, rented, or employer property, including restricted-use pesticides and nonrestricted pesticides where gross agricultural sales potential exceeds $1,000; uncompensated exchanges of personal services and noncommercial activity are covered as specified in SDCL 38-21-14(20).
Endorsements
General private certification does not authorize sodium-cyanide predator control, aerial application, or non-soil fumigation. These uses require the separate endorsements.
License fee
There is no fee for private certification.
License period
The license expires March 31 of the third year following issuance under SDCL 38-21-23.1.
Minimum age
At least 18 years old under SDCL 38-21-14(20).
Prior certification
Hold qualifying certification from a jurisdiction with substantially the same standards; the secretary decides whether to waive the examination under SDCL 38-21-41.
Restrictions
The secretary may restrict the license under SDCL 38-21-22, and the holder cannot simultaneously hold commercial and private licenses under SDCL 38-21-34.
Waiver
The statute permits a reciprocal waiver for any examination under the chapter, including private certification. No private-specific automatic transfer procedure is established by the obtained guide, which covers commercial applicants. The private general examination remains a leaf; waiver approval and approved training are applicant conditions.
Private expired license
South Dakota Private Pesticide Applicator Exam
Agricultural scope
Private agricultural use on owned, rented, or employer property, including restricted-use pesticides and nonrestricted pesticides where gross agricultural sales potential exceeds $1,000; uncompensated exchanges of personal services and noncommercial activity are covered as specified in SDCL 38-21-14(20).
Certification
Pass the department-furnished private general written examination with a score of at least 70%.
Endorsements
General private certification does not authorize sodium-cyanide predator control, aerial application, or non-soil fumigation. These uses require the separate endorsements.
Late renewal
Under SDCL 38-21-42, an expired license not renewed before expiration requires an examination for a new license. DANR implementing instructions say private certification can be obtained or renewed by any one of its listed training or examination options; the statutory expired-license examination requirement governs this route.
License fee
There is no fee for private certification.
License period
The license expires March 31 of the third year following issuance under SDCL 38-21-23.1.
Minimum age
At least 18 years old under SDCL 38-21-14(20).
Restrictions
The secretary may restrict the license under SDCL 38-21-22, and the holder cannot simultaneously hold commercial and private licenses under SDCL 38-21-34.
Private initial examination
South Dakota Private Pesticide Applicator Exam
Agricultural scope
Private agricultural use on owned, rented, or employer property, including restricted-use pesticides and nonrestricted pesticides where gross agricultural sales potential exceeds $1,000; uncompensated exchanges of personal services and noncommercial activity are covered as specified in SDCL 38-21-14(20).
Certification
Pass the department-furnished private general written examination with a score of at least 70%.
Endorsements
General private certification does not authorize sodium-cyanide predator control, aerial application, or non-soil fumigation. These uses require the separate endorsements.
License fee
There is no fee for private certification.
License period
The license expires March 31 of the third year following issuance under SDCL 38-21-23.1.
Minimum age
At least 18 years old under SDCL 38-21-14(20).
Restrictions
The secretary may restrict the license under SDCL 38-21-22, and the holder cannot simultaneously hold commercial and private licenses under SDCL 38-21-34.
Private initial training
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Agricultural scope
Private agricultural use on owned, rented, or employer property, including restricted-use pesticides and nonrestricted pesticides where gross agricultural sales potential exceeds $1,000; uncompensated exchanges of personal services and noncommercial activity are covered as specified in SDCL 38-21-14(20).
Approved training
Complete one department-approved training course: the SDSU self-paced online course or the private applicator training webinar. The pinned DANR page lists 2026 online access through October 31, 2026 and monthly webinars through April; these course windows are not exam-version validity dates.
Endorsements
General private certification does not authorize sodium-cyanide predator control, aerial application, or non-soil fumigation. These uses require the separate endorsements.
License fee
There is no fee for private certification.
License period
The license expires March 31 of the third year following issuance under SDCL 38-21-23.1.
Minimum age
At least 18 years old under SDCL 38-21-14(20).
Renewal eligibility
For renewal by training, keep the existing license current; expired licenses are subject to SDCL 38-21-42.
Restrictions
The secretary may restrict the license under SDCL 38-21-22, and the holder cannot simultaneously hold commercial and private licenses under SDCL 38-21-34.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Private renewal examination
South Dakota Private Pesticide Applicator Exam
Agricultural scope
Private agricultural use on owned, rented, or employer property, including restricted-use pesticides and nonrestricted pesticides where gross agricultural sales potential exceeds $1,000; uncompensated exchanges of personal services and noncommercial activity are covered as specified in SDCL 38-21-14(20).
Certification
Pass the department-furnished private general written examination with a score of at least 70%.
Endorsements
General private certification does not authorize sodium-cyanide predator control, aerial application, or non-soil fumigation. These uses require the separate endorsements.
License fee
There is no fee for private certification.
License period
The license expires March 31 of the third year following issuance under SDCL 38-21-23.1.
Minimum age
At least 18 years old under SDCL 38-21-14(20).
Renewal
Private certification may be renewed by either the written examination or approved training.
Restrictions
The secretary may restrict the license under SDCL 38-21-22, and the holder cannot simultaneously hold commercial and private licenses under SDCL 38-21-34.
Private renewal training
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Agricultural scope
Private agricultural use on owned, rented, or employer property, including restricted-use pesticides and nonrestricted pesticides where gross agricultural sales potential exceeds $1,000; uncompensated exchanges of personal services and noncommercial activity are covered as specified in SDCL 38-21-14(20).
Approved training
Complete one department-approved training course: the SDSU self-paced online course or the private applicator training webinar. The pinned DANR page lists 2026 online access through October 31, 2026 and monthly webinars through April; these course windows are not exam-version validity dates.
Endorsements
General private certification does not authorize sodium-cyanide predator control, aerial application, or non-soil fumigation. These uses require the separate endorsements.
License fee
There is no fee for private certification.
License period
The license expires March 31 of the third year following issuance under SDCL 38-21-23.1.
Minimum age
At least 18 years old under SDCL 38-21-14(20).
Renewal eligibility
For renewal by training, keep the existing license current; expired licenses are subject to SDCL 38-21-42.
Restrictions
The secretary may restrict the license under SDCL 38-21-22, and the holder cannot simultaneously hold commercial and private licenses under SDCL 38-21-34.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

South Dakota Private Pesticide Applicator Exam

Format
Written examination
Passing score
70%
Examination outline
  • Familiarity with:
    • The general format and terminology of pesticide labels and labeling;
    • Information commonly appearing on pesticide labels and labeling, including instructions, warnings, terms, and symbols;
    • Federal law regarding the use of a registered pesticide in a manner inconsistent with its label or labeling;
    • Knowing when a certified applicator must be physically present at the site of the application based on labeling requirements;
    • Use directions and restrictions on pesticide labels and labeling, including required certifications;
    • Product classifications as general or restricted use, or as unclassified;
    • Label notification requirements; and
    • The difference between mandatory and advisory labeling language;
  • Familiarity with labels and labeling information that addresses the common name of the pesticide, the pests to be controlled, the timing and methods of application, safety precautions, preharvest restrictions, reentry restrictions, disposal procedures, and ways to avoid or minimize adverse health effects, including:
    • Understanding the risks of acute toxicity and chronic toxicity, as well as the long-term effects of pesticides on humans;
    • Understanding a pesticide's risk of toxicity through human exposure;
    • Recognizing ways in which dermal exposure, inhalation exposure, and oral exposure may occur;
    • Common types and causes of pesticide mishaps;
    • Precautions to prevent injury to applicators and others in or near treated areas;
    • The need for, and proper use of, protective clothing and personal protective equipment;
    • Recognizing the symptoms of pesticide poisoning;
    • The administration of first aid and procedures to be followed in case of a pesticide mishap; and
    • Proper identification, storage, transport, handling, mixing procedures, and disposal methods for pesticides and used pesticide containers;
  • The potential environmental consequences of using or misusing pesticides, including:
    • The influence of weather and other climatic conditions;
    • Types of terrain, soil, or other substrate;
    • The presence of fish, wildlife, and other non-target organisms; and
    • Drainage patterns;
  • The identification and effective control of pests, including:
    • The importance of correctly identifying target pests and selecting the proper pesticide products; and
    • Verifying that the labeling does not prohibit the use of the product to control the target pests;
  • Characteristics of pesticides, including:
    • Type;
    • Types of formulations;
    • Compatibility, synergism, persistence, and animal and plant toxicity of the formulations;
    • Hazards and residues associated with pesticide use;
    • Factors that can influence the effectiveness of pesticides or can lead to pesticide resistance; and
    • Dilution procedures;
  • Application equipment, including:
    • Types of equipment and advantages and limitations of each type; and
    • Uses, maintenance, and calibration procedures;
  • Application methods, including:
    • Methods used for various forms and formulations of pesticides;
    • Methods used in various situations;
    • Additional certification requirements for use of a fumigant, for an aerial application, or for use of a predator control device containing sodium cyanide or sodium fluoroacetate;
    • How the improper selection of a method and use may result in an unnecessary or ineffective application; and
    • Drift prevention and pesticide loss into the environment; and
  • State, tribal, and federal laws and regulations, including the Worker Protection Standard, as found in 40 C.F.R. Part 170.
Examination sources