South Dakota Electrician License Requirements (2026)

The South Dakota Electrical Commission licenses electricians statewide under SDCL 36-16 and ARSD 20:44. Its current forms identify Electrical Contractor, Class B Electrician, Journeyman, 501(d) Electrician, apprentice, inspector, and inactive categories; “Inside Wireman” and a “Class A” contractor license are not the Commission’s current named classes. Electrical Contractor and Class B applicants must also submit the Commission bond application. Since December 2, 2024, Commission examinations use the 2023 National Electrical Code.

Regulatory Body

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

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must be at least 18 years old. Applicants must provide a Social Security Number. No South Dakota residency requirement.

Good moral character

Follow the current Commission application instructions and applicable SDCL/ARSD qualification standards.

Background investigation

This review did not identify a universal electrician fingerprint requirement in the cited Commission materials.

Experience and Education

The experience bar is 2 years of Use the current Commission licensing requirements for the chosen class. The Commission’s published examination rule requires an applicant to meet the class requirements before testing; this audit removed unsupported 8,000-hour, Inside Wireman, and Class A claims. Contractor and Class B applicants have a separate bond-application requirement., 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

• Completed Commission license application
• Class-specific qualification records required by the Commission
• Bond application for Electrical Contractor or Class B Electrician

Education substitution

Confirm any education credit directly with the Commission before relying on it for examination eligibility.

Exam Requirements

Testing provider or authority: South Dakota Electrical Commission; written Commission approval is required before arranging an examination.. The following examination requirements cover the pathways described in this guide; follow each part's classification, waiver, and local-scope conditions. Unpublished format details do not remove an examination requirement:

• South Dakota Electrical Contractor, Class B, Journeyman, or 501(d) examination — 2023 NEC — question count: confirm with the authority, timing: confirm with the authority, passing score 70%

Examination fee: The nonrefundable application fee is $60 for Electrical Contractor, Class B, Journeyman, and 501(d) applications. Confirm any separate testing-provider charge.

Retake policy: A passing applicant must complete issuance within 90 days or forfeits the examination. A failing applicant may reexamine after 30 days; after failing a reexamination, wait 90 days.

Insurance and Bonds

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 Contractor and Class B applicants must submit the Commission bond application. Do not substitute an unsupported general-liability minimum for the bond requirement.

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.

Fee Schedule

To turn these board fees into a realistic year-one budget — bond premium, liability insurance, and exam prep included — open the cost calculator preloaded for South Dakota electrician.

Renewal and Continuing Education

The South Dakota Electrical Contractor, Class B, 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.

Reciprocity

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

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 published Electrician license requirements by state — exam, bond, fee, and experience thresholds side by side.

Electrician Licensing in Neighboring States

Contractors working near a state line, or weighing where to qualify first, should compare South Dakota's requirements against the bordering jurisdictions before committing to an application:

• Iowa Electrician License Requirements — Iowa Class A Master Electrician License
• Minnesota Electrician License Requirements — Minnesota Master Electrician and Electrical Contractor License
• Montana Electrician License Requirements — Montana Master Electrician License
• Nebraska Electrician License Requirements — Nebraska Electrical Contractor and Journeyman Electrician Licenses
• North Dakota Electrician License Requirements — North Dakota Master, Journeyman, Class B, and Power Limited Electrician Licenses
• Wyoming Electrician License Requirements — Wyoming Journeyman and Master Electrician Licenses

Step-by-Step Application Roadmap

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

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

Progress is saved in this browser, so you can return to this checklist while your application is in flight.

Common Filing Mistakes

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.

Study and Reference 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:

• South Dakota General Contractor License Requirements
• South Dakota Plumber License Requirements
• South Dakota HVAC Technician License Requirements
• South Dakota Roofing Contractor License Requirements
• South Dakota Painting Contractor License Requirements
• South Dakota Landscaping Contractor License Requirements
• South Dakota Masonry Contractor License Requirements
• South Dakota Concrete Contractor License Requirements
• South Dakota Carpentry Contractor License Requirements
• South Dakota Solar Installer License Requirements
• South Dakota Low-Voltage Technician License Requirements
• South Dakota Fire Sprinkler Contractor License Requirements
• South Dakota Home Inspector License Requirements
• South Dakota Pool Contractor License Requirements
• South Dakota Handyman License Requirements
• South Dakota Pest Control License Requirements
• South Dakota Septic Contractor License Requirements

Frequently Asked 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).

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