South Dakota Plumber License Requirements (2026) | State Plumbing Commission Guide

The South Dakota State Plumbing Commission, housed in the Department of Labor and Regulation, licenses every plumber and plumbing contractor statewide under SDCL 36-16 and ARSD 20:39. South Dakota issues three primary credentials: Plumbing Contractor (the business license required to bid and contract), Journeyman Plumber (the individual trade license), and Restricted Appliance Installer (a limited credential for water heater and appliance hookups). South Dakota adopts the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) by reference, and all credentials require a UPC-based examination plus documented hours of supervised experience.

The Licensing Authority

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

Baseline Eligibility

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 Requirements

A minimum of 4 years of Journeyman Plumber: four years and 7,800 hours of supervised plumbing experience under a licensed plumber, or completion of a registered plumbing apprenticeship. Plumbing Contractor: must hold an active Journeyman Plumber license plus additional contracting experience documented to the Commission. Restricted Appliance Installer: shorter, scope-limited experience pathway for water heater and appliance hookups only. must be documented and verified. Unless the board publishes a different lookback period, applicants should keep payroll, tax, project, or supervisor records that support the claimed experience.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

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

Education substitution

Completion of a plumbing apprenticeship registered with the U.S. Department of Labor or accredited plumbing trade school programs substitutes for hours on a sliding scale set by the Commission.

The Licensing Examination

Testing is handled by South Dakota State Plumbing Commission (administered through approved testing partners). The applicant has to pass each part listed here before the credential is granted:

South Dakota Journeyman Plumber Examination — Uniform Plumbing Code, theory, and South Dakota plumbing rules — 80 questions, 240 minutes, passing score 75%
South Dakota Plumbing Contractor Examination — UPC, business and law, and South Dakota plumbing rules — 100 questions, 300 minutes, passing score 75%
South Dakota Restricted Appliance Installer Examination — limited scope on water heaters and appliance connections — 50 questions, 120 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.

Financial Security and Insurance

Before the license is issued, the applicant must file a $5,000 contractor license surety bond in the form prescribed by the SD DOR.

General liability

Plumbing 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 plumbing contractors with employees.

Additional financial requirements

Not required by the Commission. A surety bond is required for the Plumbing Contractor license.

Fee Schedule

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

License Renewal

The South Dakota Plumbing Contractor, Journeyman Plumber, and Restricted Appliance Installer must be renewed every year. The fee to renew is presently $150. South Dakota plumber licenses renew annually.

Continuing education: Continuing education on the current UPC edition is required for renewal as set by Commission rule.

Downloadable Asset

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

Download the PDF roadmap →

Reciprocity Map

South Dakota grants no NASCLA reciprocity for this classification.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
North Dakota	Journeyman exam waived	Reciprocity with the North Dakota State Plumbing Board for journeyman plumbers in good standing.
Minnesota	Journeyman exam waived	Reciprocity with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry plumbing division.
Wyoming	Journeyman exam waived	Reciprocity with Wyoming for journeyman plumbers.

Reciprocal applicants must still apply, pay the South Dakota fee, and demonstrate familiarity with the UPC edition adopted in South Dakota.

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

The Licensing Roadmap

Accumulate 7,800 hours of supervised plumbing experience. Work under a licensed plumber or complete a registered apprenticeship. Document hours with an Experience Verification Form.
Apply to the State Plumbing Commission for the Journeyman exam. Submit the application with experience documentation and exam fee.
Pass the Journeyman Plumber exam at 75%. UPC-based exam covering theory and South Dakota plumbing rules.
Work as a journeyman to qualify for Plumbing Contractor. Document additional contracting experience required by Commission rule.
Apply for the Plumbing Contractor license. File the contractor application with insurance certificate, surety bond, and exam fee.
Pass the Plumbing Contractor exam at 75%. UPC, business and law, and South Dakota plumbing rules.
Receive the contractor license and renew annually. The Commission issues the license; annual renewal with continuing education is required.

Before Filing: A Checklist

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

☐ 7,800 hours of documented plumbing experience
☐ State Plumbing Commission application with fee
☐ Journeyman Plumber exam pass at 75%+
☐ Plumbing Contractor exam pass (for contracting business)
☐ Surety bond for Plumbing Contractor license
☐ General liability insurance certificate
☐ Continuing education record for renewal

Common Application Pitfalls

These are the recurring mistakes that most often delay or reject a South Dakota Plumber application, based on the official instructions cited here.

Underestimating the hour requirement

7,800 hours of qualifying work must be documented with verifiable employer records. Side jobs without W-2s rarely count.

Studying the wrong code

South Dakota uses the UPC, not the IPC. Candidates from IPC states often study the wrong reference.

Confusing the three credentials

Journeyman Plumber, Plumbing Contractor, and Restricted Appliance Installer are distinct. The Restricted Appliance Installer cannot do general plumbing work.

Skipping the surety bond

Plumbing Contractor licenses require a surety bond. The Commission will not issue the license without it.

Letting the license lapse

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

Preparation Resources

These materials are drawn from the regulator's own citations and the references applicants commonly use to prepare. CLR receives no compensation for listing them.

Uniform Plumbing Code (South Dakota-adopted edition) — IAPMO. Primary technical reference. Open-book at the test center.
SDCL Title 36 Chapter 36-16 and ARSD 20:39 — State of South Dakota. Licensing law and Commission rules.
IAPMO UPC Study Guide — IAPMO. Standard reference for UPC exam preparation.

Other South Dakota Trade Licenses

CLR maintains guides for additional South Dakota trades; the published ones are listed here:

Answers to Common Questions

Who licenses plumbers in South Dakota?

The South Dakota State Plumbing Commission, housed in the Department of Labor and Regulation, licenses plumbers and plumbing contractors statewide under SDCL 36-16.

What plumbing code does South Dakota use?

South Dakota adopts the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) by reference. Confirm the current adopted edition with the Commission before testing.

What is a Restricted Appliance Installer in South Dakota?

A scope-limited credential authorizing the installation and replacement of water heaters and similar appliance hookups. It is not a full plumber license and cannot be used for general plumbing work.

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

Four years and approximately 7,800 hours of supervised work under a licensed plumber or completion of a registered plumbing apprenticeship.

How often does a South Dakota plumber license renew?

Annually. Renewal requires continuing education hours set by Commission rule.

Primary Sources

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

Verified 2026-04-29 · Next scheduled review 2026-07-28