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How to get an electrician license in South Dakota

Hours, exam, fees, renewal and continuing education for South Dakota, pulled from official SD sources and checked .

Quick answer
  • Licensing body: South Dakota Electrical Commission (Department of Labor and Regulation)
  • State journeyman license: Yes (The Electrical Commission licenses journeyman electricians statewide.)
  • Journeyman Electrician: 8,000 hours (four years) as a licensed apprentice electrician working under the employment and supervision of an electrical contractor. Experience hours must be licensed time to count toward the exam.
  • Exam: see below, via South Dakota Electrical Commission (after application approval)
  • Code edition: Starting December 2, 2024, all Commission exams use the 2023 NEC.

Requirements by license

Journeyman Electrician

Experience8,000 hours (four years) as a licensed apprentice electrician working under the employment and supervision of an electrical contractor. Experience hours must be licensed time to count toward the exam.Source: dlr.sd.gov · as of
ExamSouth Dakota Electrical Commission (after application approval). Apply with the application fee; after approval the Commission sends exam-site details. You have 90 days to arrange the exam. You may not test without prior written approval. Exams use the 2023 NEC.Source: dlr.sd.gov · as of
Fees
  • Application: $60
  • Journeyman license (or reciprocal JM): $80
Source: dlr.sd.gov · as of
RenewalEvery 2 years. All licenses expire June 30 of even-numbered years. Renewals submitted by June 30 avoid a late fee. Include CE certificates for the prior July 1–June 30 window.Source: dlr.sd.gov · as of · Application form: all licenses expire June 30 even years. Renewal fee amount is on the biennial renewal form.
CE to renew16 hours per 2-year renewal period (by renewal or June 30, whichever is sooner)
  • National Electrical Code (at least 8 hours)
Only 8 hours may be pre-approved online or correspondence courses. All courses must be Commission-preapproved.
Source: dlr.sd.gov · as of · Licensing page: dlr.sd.gov

License types in South Dakota

  • Journeyman Electrician
  • Electrical Contractor
  • Class B Electrician
  • Electrical Inspector
  • Apprentice
  • Inactive licenses
Source: dlr.sd.gov · as of

Reciprocity (licensed in another state?)

Reciprocal journeyman agreements (license by exam, held active at least one year) include Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas and Wyoming, plus NERA-path notes for Maine, Vermont and Wisconsin. Reciprocal JM fee is $60 application + $80 license.Source: dlr.sd.gov · as of · Fees: dlr.sd.gov

What we couldn't confirm yet

We only publish what we can tie to an official source. These items aren't published anywhere we could verify, so ask the office listed:

FAQ

Does South Dakota have a state journeyman electrician license?

Yes. You need 8,000 hours (four years) as a licensed apprentice under an electrical contractor, then the journeyman exam.

Which NEC edition does the South Dakota electrician exam use?

Starting December 2, 2024, all Commission exams use the 2023 NEC.

How much does a South Dakota journeyman application cost?

The application fee is $60, and the journeyman license fee is $80.

Does South Dakota have electrician license reciprocity?

Yes. Reciprocal journeyman agreements cover many states including North Dakota, Wyoming, Texas and Minnesota, if you earned the license by exam and held it active for at least one year.

Already licensed? See South Dakota electrician license renewal & CE requirements.

Other states

Compare every state side by side: license requirements by state · renewal & CE by state.