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).
Line up insurance. You'll need liability insurance ($100,000 minimum per occurrence).
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-$80 depending on license type (Temporary Journeyman $10, Maintenance Electrician $80) application fee, plus a Included in application fee; separate biennial renewal required license fee. Processing time: 90 days to arrange and complete exam after application approval; overall processing time not published by board.
Keep the license active. Renew 2 years (biennial), completing 16 hours of continuing education required biennially (minimum 8 code hours; maximum 8 hours online).

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-$80 depending on license type (Temporary Journeyman $10, Maintenance Electrician $80)
License fee	Included in application fee; separate biennial renewal required
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
Processing time	90 days to arrange and complete exam after application approval; overall processing time not published by board

Exams

Journeyman Electrician Exam	Provider: Board-approved testing vendor · Passing: Not published by the board · Fee: Not published by the board
Electrical Contractor Exam	Provider: Board-approved testing vendor · Passing: Not published by the board · Fee: Not published by the board

Preparing for the Electrician exam? State-specific contractor exam-prep courses help you pass the first time. Start exam prep →

Frequently asked questions

How much does a South Dakota electrician license cost?

Application: $60-$80 depending on license type (Temporary Journeyman $10, Maintenance Electrician $80). License: Included in application fee; separate biennial renewal required. 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 Workers' compensation: —

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.