Plumber License Requirements in South Dakota
| Licensing Authority | South Dakota Plumbing Commission (SDPC) |
| License Type | Journeyman Plumber / Plumbing Contractor |
| Experience Required | 4 years (7,600 hours) of supervised plumbing work experience for Journeyman; 6 years total with at least 2 years as Journeyman for Contractor license |
| Education Substitute | Approved apprenticeship program completion may satisfy experience requirements |
| Exam Required | Yes — Journeyman Plumber Exam + Plumbing Contractor Exam |
| Bond Required | No |
| Insurance | General liability: recommended. Workers comp: required with employees |
| Continuing Education | 4 hours 1 year |
| Processing Time | 4-6 weeks |
Fee Breakdown
| Application Fee | $10 |
| Exam Fee | $100 |
| Initial License Fee | $105 |
| Est. Initial Total | $215 |
Related & additional fees
Separate or ongoing costs — not included in the estimate above.
| Contractor license fee | $275 |
| Apprentice registration | $10 |
Renewal: $105 every 1 year
Exam Requirements
Journeyman Plumber Exam
Plumbing Contractor Exam
Exam provider: SD Plumbing Commission
Recommended exam prep
Formal prep pays for itself against a $100+ retake. Many states examine contractors on two separate papers — the trade exam and a business and law exam — so we list the course covering both first, with trade-specific depth after.
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Mometrix · SponsoredContractor License Online Study CourseFull online prep course covering the trade and business-and-law exams — video lessons, practice questions, and a study plan built for a first-try pass.See the course →
Mometrix · SponsoredPlumber's Exam Secrets Study GuideCovers plumbing code, systems, and installation for the journeyman and master plumber exams — organized topic reviews plus practice questions for a first-try pass.See the study guide →
Mometrix · SponsoredPlumber's Exam FlashcardsPortable flashcards for the high-frequency plumber-exam topics — a cheaper add-on for drilling code references and terms on the go.See the flashcards →Set up the business before you apply in South Dakota
Most states license the company as well as the person, so the application usually asks for an LLC or corporation and a registered agent in South Dakota. Northwest forms the entity and acts as your registered agent — a flat fee, no upsell funnel.
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Form an LLC with Northwest→License Tiers
Apprentice Plumber
Entry level — 7,600 hours on-the-job training over 4 years
Exam: Not required
Journeyman Plumber
4 years (7,600 hours) supervised plumbing work
Exam: Required
Plumbing Contractor
6 years total, including at least 2 years as Journeyman
Exam: Required
Notes
- Plumbing licenses expire annually on December 31
- Must complete 4 hours CE annually (2 hours on plumbing code updates)
You're licensed in South Dakota as a plumber — the next 30 days
Most of the steps below are required before your first paid job; the order is the order the state and its counties will ask for them.
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Form the business and get an EIN.
The South Dakota Plumbing Commission issues the Journeyman Plumber / Plumbing Contractor; the business that invoices South Dakota customers is a separate decision. A sole proprietorship is the default, an LLC keeps business liability off your personal assets, and either needs an EIN before the first payroll. Settle it before the license number goes on an estimate.
Carry general liability insurance.
South Dakota does not set a general liability minimum for this trade, but most permits and commercial customers ask for proof of GL cover. Workers' compensation is required once you hire employees. Contractor insurance requirements→
Set up quoting, scheduling and invoicing before the first call.
Your first customers will ask for a written estimate and expect to pay by card on site. Most one-truck plumber businesses run that on field-service software; Housecall Pro is the one we link because it is built for this size of company and this link carries 20% off your first 12 months. Start a free trial of Housecall Pro→
Keep the license.
Renewal is every year at $105. Continuing education: 4 hours every year.
Other licenses in South Dakota
- General Contractor license in South Dakota
No statewide license — check local requirements
- Electrician license in South Dakota
Statewide license required · $190 in initial government fees · SDEC
- HVAC Technician license in South Dakota
No statewide license — check local requirements
- Roofing Contractor license in South Dakota
No statewide license — check local requirements
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a plumber license in South Dakota?
Yes, South Dakota requires a statewide plumber license through the South Dakota Plumbing Commission.
How much does a plumber license cost in South Dakota?
The estimated initial cost is $215, including application, exam, and license fees.
What experience do I need for a plumber license in South Dakota?
4 years (7,600 hours) of supervised plumbing work experience for Journeyman; 6 years total with at least 2 years as Journeyman for Contractor license Education substitute: Approved apprenticeship program completion may satisfy experience requirements
What exams are required for a plumber license in South Dakota?
You must pass the Journeyman Plumber Exam and Plumbing Contractor Exam exams. A passing score of 70% is required. Exams are administered by SD Plumbing Commission.
How long does it take to get a plumber license in South Dakota?
Processing time is typically 4-6 weeks after submitting a complete application.
Is continuing education required for plumbers in South Dakota?
Yes, 4 hours per 1 year is required for license renewal.
Next steps
You know the requirements for plumbers in South Dakota— here's how to actually pass and apply.
Data last verified: 2026-04-02 | Source: SDPC