South Carolina pesticide licensing is administered by Clemson University Department of Pesticide Regulation, with Category 11 (Aerial Applicator) and $50,000 spray insurance required. Reciprocity available with 13 states at $50. Rates run $16 to $24 per acre on cotton and soybeans.
National ag drone operator network, SE & mid-Atlantic focus
Osprey Agri Drones is a national agricultural drone operator network with strong coverage across the Southeast and mid-Atlantic. The company coordinates multi-state fleet deployment for corn, soybean, cotton, peanut and rice applications, offering operators in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky and beyond.
Operator states: FAA Part 137, FAA Part 107
Drone SprayingCover Crop SeedingFertilizer Application+1 more
Avary Drone operates a national network of vetted agricultural drone operators and a booking marketplace connecting growers with local certified pilots. Coverage spans the Southeast, Midwest and mid-Atlantic, with operators available for corn, soybean, cotton and rice fungicide and herbicide applications, as well as cover crop seeding.
Operator states: FAA Part 107
Drone SprayingCover Crop SeedingFertilizer Application+1 more
Advanced ag drone technology & application services
Pegasus Robotics develops and deploys advanced agricultural drone systems for large-scale crop protection and precision application. The company offers both equipment solutions and commercial application services across the Southeast, with a focus on high-efficiency coverage for corn, soybeans and cotton using autonomy-enhanced drone platforms.
Operator states: FAA Part 107
Drone SprayingFertilizer ApplicationEquipment Sales+2 more
South Carolina cotton, soybeans & timber drone services
Carter Aerial Land Management is a South Carolina-based drone application company serving cotton, soybean and timber producers across the Pee Dee and Lowcountry regions. Services include fungicide and defoliant applications for cotton, soybean R3 programs and herbicide spraying for pine release and invasive species control in managed timberlands.
SC wetland seeding, wildlife habitat & ag drone services
Conservation Drone Services operates across South Carolina providing drone seeding for wildlife habitat restoration, wetland grass establishment and cover crop broadcasting, alongside crop scouting and mapping services. The company works with USDA NRCS, Ducks Unlimited and private landowners to restore native grasses, waterfowl impoundments and longleaf pine understory.
Operator states: FAA Part 107
Cover Crop SeedingAerial MappingCrop Scouting+1 more
North Carolina Ag Drones is an eastern NC operator providing drone fungicide, herbicide and cover crop seeding services to tobacco, corn, soybean and peanut producers. The company covers the coastal plain counties from the Virginia line to the South Carolina border, offering rapid deployment during critical spray windows.
Southeast Drone Solutions operates a multi-drone fleet serving row-crop producers across North Carolina and South Carolina. The company offers corn VT fungicide, soybean R3 applications, cotton defoliant timing and cover crop seeding, with crews positioned across the Piedmont and Coastal Plain for rapid response during peak application season.
Operator states: FAA Part 137, FAA Part 107
Drone SprayingCover Crop SeedingFertilizer Application+1 more
Carolina Agri Drones serves tobacco, corn, soybean and sweet potato producers across the North Carolina Coastal Plain and Piedmont. The operator specializes in fungicide programs for tobacco blue mold and black shank, soybean R3 applications and precision herbicide placement for specialty vegetables, offering scheduling flexible enough to accommodate time-sensitive tobacco windows.
Western NC orchard & specialty crop drone spraying
Drone Sprout provides agricultural drone spraying services to orchard, vineyard and specialty crop producers in western North Carolina. The company focuses on mountain-terrain applications where conventional sprayers cannot operate, including apple, blueberry and Christmas tree fungicide programs across Henderson, Buncombe and Haywood counties.
North GA · precision spraying, remote sensing & invasive species management
North Georgia agricultural drone company based in Tate, GA offering precision spraying and remote sensing. Serves peaches, corn, peanuts, pecans, vineyards and general row crops. Positions itself as a pioneer in drone-assisted crop protection and invasive species management across the Southeast.
GA · XAG P100 Pro HP fleet, peanuts, cotton, pecans & blueberries
National aerial services company with a dedicated drone ag division actively operating in Georgia. Fully licensed in Georgia. Operates fleet of XAG P100 Pro HP drones for wet spraying, dry spreading (fertilizer/seed), aerial surveys, multispectral crop analysis and prescription mapping. Confirmed operations in Bulloch County peanuts and SW Georgia cotton.
Operator states: FAA Part 137, FAA Part 107
XAG Certified
Drone SprayingFertilizer ApplicationAerial Mapping+1 more
Miami FL · DJI Agriculture Master Distributor for the Americas
DJI Agriculture Master Distributor headquartered in Miami, FL with offices in Mexico, Argentina and Panama. Specializes in agricultural drone technology sales serving the Americas. Sells DJI Agras T30, T40, Phantom 4 RTK and P4 Multispectral. Training provided with each industrial drone purchase. Contact: +1 786-229-6330.
South Carolina is unique nationally in delegating pesticide applicator regulation to Clemson University Department of Pesticide Regulation rather than a state agriculture department. Category 11 (Aerial Applicator) requires passing both the Core exam ($75) and the Category 11 exam ($50), plus a $50 license fee. Operators must carry $50,000 spray insurance.
Renewal is on a 5-year cycle with Continuing Certification Units (CCUs) varying by category. Reciprocity is available with 13 states including AL, GA, FL, NC, TN and VA at a $50 reciprocal fee for out-of-state operators.
South Carolina-specific rules operators must know
•$50,000 spray insurance required.
•Licensing administered by Clemson University, not a state agency.
Drone spraying in South Carolina, frequently asked questions
South Carolina delegates pesticide applicator regulation to Clemson University Department of Pesticide Regulation rather than a state agriculture department. Exams, licensing and enforcement all run through Clemson.
$50,000 spray insurance minimum. This is lower than Ohio ($100K/$300K) but still a mandatory requirement.
$16 to $24 per acre. Cotton and soybean applications in the coastal plain and Pee Dee region.
Yes, with 13 states including AL, GA, FL, NC, TN, VA. $50 reciprocal fee.
Cotton (250K acres) and soybeans (350K acres) are primary. Peach orchards and tobacco add specialty demand.
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