South Dakota Contractor License Guide

In South Dakota, the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulations is responsible for the licensing of electrical and plumbing contractors.

• Electrical Contractor - install, maintain or extend electrical wiring systems in, on or outside of buildings and sites. There are several types of business and individual electrical licenses, among them:
  • Electrical inspector
  • Contractor
  • Journeyman

For a full list of electrical license types, visit the SDDLG website.

Note: Visit the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulations website for more information regarding reciprocity agreements for electrical licenses.

• Plumbing Contractor - install, maintain and repair pipes, fittings and other apparatuses of water supply, sanitation and heating systems. Several types of license are available for plumbing, including:
  • Contractor
  • Journeyman

For a full list of plumbing license types, visit the SDDLG website.

Note: South Dakota holds a reciprocity agreement with Colorado, Minnesota, Montana and North Dakota.

All contractor license application forms can be found at the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulations website.

• Electrical contractor license applications can be found here.
• Plumbing contractor license applications can be found here.

Electrical Contractor License:

• Depending on the type of electrical license you are applying for, you are required to meet a certain work experience criteria.
• Provide proof of employment history.
• Fill in the Verification Form which is used to verify your work experience hours.

Plumbing Contractor License:

• Depending on the type of license you are applying for you are required to meet a certain number of on-the-job working hours in the field of plumbing prior to applying for a contractor license. For more detailed information on the working hour requirements for different plumbing licenses, visit the South Dakota Plumbing Commision website.
• Provide a written statement from your present and previous work employers. You must include the date of employment, the number of hours worked during the specific employment and the extent of the work performed during this time.
• Provide school records such as a diploma or GED. You are required to present this information if you have completed a plumbing course at an accredited university or college.
• Submit two professional references with whom you have worked in the plumbing industry.

Once you have mailed in your application and all other required forms, you must pass an exam depending on the license type you are applying for. The South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulations will contact you with more information regarding where and how to take your exam. For more information, call (800)-233-7765.

In the state of South Dakota, licensed electrical contractors and Class B electricians are required to obtain a contractor license bond. The surety bond must be the original document signed by the applicant and notarized in the amount of $10,000.