South Dakota Plumber License Requirements

Official classification: Plumber · Issued by the South Dakota Plumbing Commission.

🔧 PlumberSD ✔ Verified 2026-07-11

In South Dakota, plumbers must hold the Plumber, issued by the South Dakota Plumbing Commission. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed plumber in South Dakota

Follow these steps to earn your Plumber. Every figure is verified against the South Dakota Plumbing Commission; full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. Plumber: 4 years apprenticeship (1,900 hours/year minimum). Plumbing Contractor: 6 years total experience with 2+ years as contractor/plumber (1,900 hours/year minimum). Third-Year Apprentice Plumber: 2 years apprenticeship (1,900 hours/year minimum).
Pass the exam for the license class you are applying for. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the South Dakota Plumbing Commission — $50 (plumber and plumbing contractor); $20 (apprentice levels) application fee, plus a Plumber or installer $105; plumbing contractor $275; apprentice $20 (first year) rising to $50 (fourth year on) (ARSD 20:53:12:03) license fee. Processing time: Not published by the board.
Keep the license active. Renewal: 1 year (annual renewal required by December 31). Continuing education: 4 hours annually (minimum 2 hours Uniform Plumbing Code, 2 hours plumbing trade or additional code).

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

South Dakota plumber license lookup

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

License types

Plumbing Contractor — 6 years total experience (2+ as contractor/plumber); 1,900 hours/year minimum
Plumber — 4 years apprenticeship; 1,900 hours/year minimum
Third-Year Apprentice Plumber — 2 years apprenticeship; 1,900 hours/year minimum

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	Plumber: 4 years apprenticeship (1,900 hours/year minimum). Plumbing Contractor: 6 years total experience with 2+ years as contractor/plumber (1,900 hours/year minimum). Third-Year Apprentice Plumber: 2 years apprenticeship (1,900 hours/year minimum).
Application fee	$50 (plumber and plumbing contractor); $20 (apprentice levels)
License fee	Plumber or installer $105; plumbing contractor $275; apprentice $20 (first year) rising to $50 (fourth year on) (ARSD 20:53:12:03)
Renewal fee	Same as the license fee, every year: plumber $105; plumbing contractor $275 (ARSD 20:53:12:03)
Renewal period	1 year (annual renewal required by December 31)
Continuing education	4 hours annually (minimum 2 hours Uniform Plumbing Code, 2 hours plumbing trade or additional code)
Bond required	—
Liability insurance	—
Property damage	—
Workers' comp	—
Background check	—
Credit requirement	—
Reciprocity	No named-state list: the Commission may license without examination a nonresident registered in a state whose regulation of plumbers it finds substantially equivalent (SDCL 36-25-21) · other states' agreements
Processing time	Not published by the board

What a South Dakota plumber license costs

Application fee	$50 (plumber and plumbing contractor); $20 (apprentice levels).
License fee	Plumber or installer $105; plumbing contractor $275; apprentice $20 (first year) rising to $50 (fourth year on) (ARSD 20:53:12:03).
Plumbing Contractor Exam	$100.
Plumber Exam	$100.
Third-Year Apprentice Plumber Exam	$50.
Renewal fee	Same as the license fee, every year: plumber $105; plumbing contractor $275 (ARSD 20:53:12:03).
Renewal period	1 year (annual renewal required by December 31).

Exams

Plumbing Contractor Exam	Provider: South Dakota Plumbing Commission · Passing: 80% (ARSD 20:53:03:07) · Fee: $100
Plumber Exam	Provider: South Dakota Plumbing Commission · Passing: 70% (ARSD 20:53:03:07) · Fee: $100
Third-Year Apprentice Plumber Exam	Provider: South Dakota Plumbing Commission · Passing: Not published by the board · Fee: $50

Renewing a South Dakota plumber license

The Plumber renews on a fixed cycle set by the South Dakota Plumbing 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	1 year (annual renewal required by December 31)
Renewal fee	Same as the license fee, every year: plumber $105; plumbing contractor $275 (ARSD 20:53:12:03)
Continuing education	4 hours annually (minimum 2 hours Uniform Plumbing Code, 2 hours plumbing trade or additional code)
Where to renew	South Dakota Plumbing Commission

Frequently asked questions

How much does a South Dakota plumber license cost?

Application: $50 (plumber and plumbing contractor); $20 (apprentice levels). License: Plumber or installer $105; plumbing contractor $275; apprentice $20 (first year) rising to $50 (fourth year on) (ARSD 20:53:12:03). Renewal: Same as the license fee, every year: plumber $105; plumbing contractor $275 (ARSD 20:53:12:03).

Do plumbers in South Dakota need a surety bond?

Not stated by the board.

What experience is required for a South Dakota plumber license?

Plumber: 4 years apprenticeship (1,900 hours/year minimum). Plumbing Contractor: 6 years total experience with 2+ years as contractor/plumber (1,900 hours/year minimum). Third-Year Apprentice Plumber: 2 years apprenticeship (1,900 hours/year minimum).

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

Processing time: Not published by the board.

How often must a South Dakota plumber license be renewed?

1 year (annual renewal required by December 31). Continuing education: 4 hours annually (minimum 2 hours Uniform Plumbing Code, 2 hours plumbing trade or additional code).

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 Plumbing Commission before applying. This is not legal advice.