South Dakota Electrician License Requirements (2026) | State Electrical Commission Guide

The South Dakota State Electrical Commission, housed in the Department of Labor and Regulation, licenses every electrician and electrical contractor in the state under SDCL 36-26 and ARSD 20:44. South Dakota issues four primary credentials: Class A Electrical Contractor (unlimited), Class B Electrical Contractor (residential and small commercial), Inside Wireman (commercial and industrial journey-level), and Journeyman Electrician. All licenses require a National Electrical Code-based examination and documented hours of supervised experience.

Regulatory Body Profile

Licensing for this trade is governed by South Dakota Department of Revenue — Business Tax Division (contractor's excise tax) and trade-specific commissions (SD DOR), the agency that issues and regulates the credential under SDCL Title 10 Chapter 10-46A (contractor's excise tax); SDCL Title 36 Chapters 36-16 (plumbers) and 36-26 (electricians). South Dakota does not issue a state general contractor license. The Department of Revenue issues every contractor a contractor's excise tax license under SDCL 10-46A, while the State Electrical Commission and State Plumbing Commission license the electrical and plumbing trades. HVAC and general building work are not licensed at the state level.

Official portal: https://dor.sd.gov/businesses/taxes/contractors-excise-tax/
Address: 445 East Capitol Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501
Phone: (605) 773-3311

The Eligibility Audit

The applicant must be at least 18 years of age and possess a valid Social Security Number. No South Dakota residency requirement.

Good moral character

The Commission reviews criminal history disclosures and may deny applicants for fraud, theft, or related convictions.

Background investigation

Mandatory criminal history disclosure on the application.

Experience and Education Standards

The experience bar is 4 years of Journeyman Electrician: 8,000 hours (approximately four years) of qualifying experience under a licensed electrician or completion of a registered apprenticeship. Inside Wireman: 8,000 hours of commercial and industrial experience. Class B Electrical Contractor: must hold an active journeyman or wireman credential. Class A Electrical Contractor: must hold an active journeyman or wireman credential plus additional documented contracting experience., and it must be backed by verifiable records — typically payroll, tax, project, or supervisor documentation covering the claimed period.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

State Electrical Commission Experience Verification Form signed by each supervising licensed electrician
W-2 statements, pay stubs, or 1099 records
Apprenticeship completion certificate from a registered program (where applicable)

Education substitution

Completion of an electrical apprenticeship registered with the U.S. Department of Labor or accredited electrical technology coursework substitutes for hours on a sliding scale set by the Commission.

The Exam Syllabus

The exam, administered by South Dakota State Electrical Commission (administered through approved testing partners), breaks into the parts shown below — all must be passed before licensure:

South Dakota Journeyman Electrician Examination — National Electrical Code, theory, calculations — 80 questions, 240 minutes, passing score 75%
South Dakota Class B Electrical Contractor Examination — NEC and South Dakota electrical rules — 100 questions, 300 minutes, passing score 75%
South Dakota Class A Electrical Contractor Examination — NEC, advanced calculations, and South Dakota electrical rules — 100 questions, 300 minutes, passing score 75%

Examination fee: Examination fees set by the Commission, typically $50–$100 per exam.

Retake policy: Failed examinations may be re-taken after a Commission-set waiting period by paying a new exam fee.

Bonding, Insurance & Financial Security

No statewide contractor license surety bond is required for this credential in the cited sources. Project-specific, permit, or public-works bonds may still apply, so confirm bonding before bidding a given job.

General liability

Electrical contractors must carry general liability insurance acceptable to the Commission. The Commission does not publish a fixed minimum but $500,000 is the practical floor.

Workers' compensation

Workers' compensation is not mandatory in South Dakota for most private employers but is the practical norm for electrical contractors with employees.

Additional financial requirements

Not required by the Commission.

Schedule of Fees

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$100
Examination	$75
Initial license	$150
Renewal (every year)	$150

Renewal and Continuing Obligations

The South Dakota Electrical Contractor (Class A or B), Inside Wireman, and Journeyman Electrician runs on a year renewal cycle. The current renewal fee is $150. South Dakota electrician licenses renew annually.

Continuing education: Continuing education on the current NEC edition is required for renewal — typically 16 hours every two years as set by Commission rule.

Downloadable Asset

2026 South Dakota Electrician License Roadmap (PDF) — a printable step-by-step checklist for the application process.

Download the PDF roadmap →

Out-of-State Reciprocity

For this classification, South Dakota does not recognize the NASCLA Accredited Examination.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
North Dakota	Journeyman exam waived	Reciprocity with the North Dakota State Electrical Board for journeyman electricians in good standing.
Minnesota	Journeyman exam waived	Reciprocity with the Minnesota Board of Electricity for journeyman electricians.
Wyoming	Journeyman exam waived	Reciprocity with the Wyoming Department of Fire Prevention and Electrical Safety.
Nebraska	Journeyman exam waived	Reciprocity with the Nebraska State Electrical Division.
Montana	Journeyman exam waived	Reciprocity with the Montana State Electrical Board.

South Dakota maintains journeyman electrician reciprocity with several neighboring states. Reciprocal applicants must still apply, pay the South Dakota fee, and meet the NEC edition adopted in South Dakota.

Weighing more than one jurisdiction? The national hub compares Electrician license requirements in every state — exam, bond, fee, and experience thresholds side by side.

The Application Roadmap

Accumulate 8,000 hours of qualifying experience. Work under a licensed electrician or complete a registered apprenticeship. Document hours with an Experience Verification Form.
Apply to the State Electrical Commission for the Journeyman or Wireman exam. Submit the application with experience documentation and exam fee.
Pass the Journeyman or Inside Wireman exam at 75%. NEC-based exam covering theory, calculations, and South Dakota rules.
Work as a journeyman to qualify for contractor status. Document additional contracting experience to qualify for Class B or Class A.
Apply for Class B or Class A Electrical Contractor. File the contractor application with insurance certificate and exam fee.
Pass the Class B or Class A contractor examination at 75%. Advanced NEC, calculations, and South Dakota electrical rules.
Receive the contractor license and renew annually. The Commission issues the license; annual renewal with continuing education is required.

Where Applications Stall

The following pitfalls summarize the issues most likely to delay, return, or derail a South Dakota Electrician application based on the published board instructions and source materials cited on this page.

Underestimating the hour requirement

8,000 hours of qualifying work must be documented with verifiable employer records. Side jobs without W-2s rarely count.

Studying the wrong NEC edition

South Dakota adopts the NEC on its own cycle. Confirm the adopted edition with the Commission before buying study materials.

Confusing the four credentials

Journeyman, Inside Wireman, Class B Contractor, and Class A Contractor are distinct credentials with distinct scopes. Apply for the one that matches your work.

Letting the license lapse

Annual renewal is mandatory. Lapsed licenses require reinstatement fees and may require re-examination.

Skipping continuing education

CE on the current NEC edition is required. Missing CE blocks renewal.

Pre-Application Checklist

Have each of the following squared away before the packet goes to SD DOR:

☐ 8,000 hours of documented electrical experience
☐ State Electrical Commission application with fee
☐ Journeyman or Inside Wireman exam pass at 75%+
☐ Class B or Class A Contractor exam pass (for contracting business)
☐ General liability insurance certificate
☐ Continuing education record for renewal

Recommended Study Materials

The list below collects the board's cited references and the materials applicants typically study from. CLR is not paid to recommend any of them.

National Electrical Code (NFPA 70), South Dakota-adopted edition — National Fire Protection Association. Primary technical reference. Open-book at the test center.
SDCL Title 36 Chapter 36-26 and ARSD 20:44 — State of South Dakota. Licensing law and Commission rules.
Mike Holt NEC Exam Prep — Mike Holt Enterprises. Widely used by South Dakota applicants for calculation problems.

Other South Dakota Trade Licenses

For a different South Dakota credential, see these companion guides published by CLR:

Common Questions

Who licenses electricians in South Dakota?

The South Dakota State Electrical Commission, housed in the Department of Labor and Regulation, licenses electricians and electrical contractors statewide under SDCL 36-26.

What is the difference between Class A and Class B electrical contractors?

Class A is an unlimited electrical contractor authorized for any electrical work. Class B is a restricted contractor authorized for residential and small commercial work as defined by Commission rule.

How many hours of experience does South Dakota require for journeyman?

8,000 hours (approximately four years) of qualifying experience under a licensed electrician or completion of a registered apprenticeship.

What code does South Dakota follow?

South Dakota adopts the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70) by reference. Confirm the current adopted edition with the Commission before testing.

How often does a South Dakota electrician license renew?

Annually. Renewal requires continuing education hours set by the Commission (typically 16 hours every two years).

Primary Sources

Regulatory requirements on this page are drawn from the official board, statute, and exam-provider materials listed below.

Verified 2026-04-22 · Next scheduled review 2026-07-21