South Dakota Electrician License Requirements

Official classification: Apprentice Electrician, Journeyman Electrician, Electrical Contractor, Class B Electrician · Issued by the South Dakota Electrical Commission.

⚡ ElectricianSD ✔ Verified 2026-07-11

In South Dakota, electricians must hold the Apprentice Electrician, Journeyman Electrician, Electrical Contractor, Class B Electrician, issued by the South Dakota Electrical Commission, and a $10,000 surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed electrician in South Dakota

Follow these steps to earn your Apprentice Electrician, Journeyman Electrician, Electrical Contractor, Class B Electrician. Every figure is verified against the South Dakota Electrical Commission; full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. Apprentice to Journeyman: 4 years (8,000 hours); Journeyman to Electrical Contractor: 2 years (4,000 hours, minimum 2,000 commercial)
Pass the Journeyman Electrician Exam and Electrical Contractor Exam exams. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Secure your surety bond. South Dakota requires $10,000 undertaking deposit required; $50 initial deposit with Commission, $50 renewal deposit (waived if fund exceeds $50,000).
Check the insurance rules. Liability: $100,000 minimum per occurrence. Property damage: $25,000 per occurrence (or $300,000 combined single limit).
Clear the background check. No background check required
Meet the credit / financial requirement. No credit check required
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the South Dakota Electrical Commission — $60 application fee for each license type (ARSD 20:44:16:04); apprentice registration $20; temporary journeyman $10; maintenance electrician $80 application fee, plus a Separate license fee due with the application and every two years: Electrical Contractor $200, Class B $100, Journeyman $80, Electrical Inspector $100 (ARSD 20:44:16:15) license fee. Processing time: The application process takes approximately 30 days (Commission application form, rev. 10/2025); after approval you have 90 days to arrange and sit the exam.
Keep the license active. Renewal: 2 years (biennial). Continuing education: 16 hours of continuing education required biennially (minimum 8 code hours; maximum 8 hours online).

For the general path in every state, see the Electrician guide →

South Dakota electrician license lookup

There is no single statewide search database for this license — to confirm an electrician is properly licensed in South Dakota, verify license status directly with the issuing authority: dlr.sd.gov/electrical.

License types

Apprentice Electrician — Entry-level apprenticeship
Journeyman Electrician — Qualified electrician with 4 years experience (8,000 hours)
Electrical Contractor — Journeyman with 2 additional years experience (4,000 hours, minimum 2,000 commercial)
Class B Electrician — Alternate contractor classification

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	Apprentice to Journeyman: 4 years (8,000 hours); Journeyman to Electrical Contractor: 2 years (4,000 hours, minimum 2,000 commercial)
Application fee	$60 application fee for each license type (ARSD 20:44:16:04); apprentice registration $20; temporary journeyman $10; maintenance electrician $80
License fee	Separate license fee due with the application and every two years: Electrical Contractor $200, Class B $100, Journeyman $80, Electrical Inspector $100 (ARSD 20:44:16:15)
Renewal fee	Journeyman $80, Electrical Contractor $200, Class B $100 (biennial)
Renewal period	2 years (biennial)
Continuing education	16 hours of continuing education required biennially (minimum 8 code hours; maximum 8 hours online)
Bond required	$10,000 undertaking deposit required; $50 initial deposit with Commission, $50 renewal deposit (waived if fund exceeds $50,000)
Liability insurance	$100,000 minimum per occurrence
Property damage	$25,000 per occurrence (or $300,000 combined single limit)
Workers' comp	—
Background check	No background check required
Credit requirement	No credit check required
Reciprocity	Alaska; Arkansas; Colorado; Idaho; Iowa; Minnesota; Montana; Nebraska; New Hampshire; New Mexico; North Dakota; Oklahoma; Texas; Wyoming · compare all states
Processing time	The application process takes approximately 30 days (Commission application form, rev. 10/2025); after approval you have 90 days to arrange and sit the exam

What a South Dakota electrician license costs

Application fee	$60 application fee for each license type (ARSD 20:44:16:04); apprentice registration $20; temporary journeyman $10; maintenance electrician $80.
License fee	Separate license fee due with the application and every two years: Electrical Contractor $200, Class B $100, Journeyman $80, Electrical Inspector $100 (ARSD 20:44:16:15).
Journeyman Electrician Exam	Not published by the board.
Electrical Contractor Exam	Not published by the board.
Surety bond	$10,000 undertaking deposit required; $50 initial deposit with Commission, $50 renewal deposit (waived if fund exceeds $50,000). A bond's premium is a percentage of the bond amount, set by the surety.
Renewal fee	Journeyman $80, Electrical Contractor $200, Class B $100 (biennial).
Renewal period	2 years (biennial).

Exams

Journeyman Electrician Exam	Provider: South Dakota Electrical Commission (questions composed and approved by the Commission, ARSD 20:44:16:03) · Passing: 70% · Fee: Not published by the board
Electrical Contractor Exam	Provider: South Dakota Electrical Commission (questions composed and approved by the Commission, ARSD 20:44:16:03) · Passing: 70% · Fee: Not published by the board

Renewing a South Dakota electrician license

The Apprentice Electrician, Journeyman Electrician, Electrical Contractor, Class B Electrician renews on a fixed cycle set by the South Dakota Electrical Commission. Finish the continuing-education requirement before you file — boards generally will not process a renewal without it. Late and lapsed renewals are handled differently by every board, so check the renewal page linked below before the deadline passes.

Renewal period	2 years (biennial)
Renewal fee	Journeyman $80, Electrical Contractor $200, Class B $100 (biennial)
Continuing education	16 hours of continuing education required biennially (minimum 8 code hours; maximum 8 hours online)
Where to renew	South Dakota Electrical Commission

Frequently asked questions

How much does a South Dakota electrician license cost?

Application: $60 application fee for each license type (ARSD 20:44:16:04); apprentice registration $20; temporary journeyman $10; maintenance electrician $80. License: Separate license fee due with the application and every two years: Electrical Contractor $200, Class B $100, Journeyman $80, Electrical Inspector $100 (ARSD 20:44:16:15). Renewal: Journeyman $80, Electrical Contractor $200, Class B $100 (biennial).

Do electricians in South Dakota need a surety bond?

$10,000 undertaking deposit required; $50 initial deposit with Commission, $50 renewal deposit (waived if fund exceeds $50,000)

What experience is required for a South Dakota electrician license?

Apprentice to Journeyman: 4 years (8,000 hours); Journeyman to Electrical Contractor: 2 years (4,000 hours, minimum 2,000 commercial)

Is insurance required for electricians in South Dakota?

Liability: $100,000 minimum per occurrence. Property damage: $25,000 per occurrence (or $300,000 combined single limit).

How long does it take to get a South Dakota electrician license?

Processing time: The application process takes approximately 30 days (Commission application form, rev. 10/2025); after approval you have 90 days to arrange and sit the exam.

Is a background check required for electricians in South Dakota?

Background check: No background check required.

Is there a credit or financial requirement for a South Dakota electrician license?

Credit requirement: No credit check required.

How often must a South Dakota electrician license be renewed?

2 years (biennial). Continuing education: 16 hours of continuing education required biennially (minimum 8 code hours; maximum 8 hours online).

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-07-11 — always confirm current requirements directly with the South Dakota Electrical Commission before applying. This is not legal advice.