Licensing board: South Dakota Electrical Commission (Department of Labor & Regulation)
License levels
- Apprentice Electrician (license): "Experience hours must be licensed in order for your working time to count toward the hours required to take the exams." source
- Journeyman Electrician: Four years (8,000 hours) as a licensed apprentice electrician working under the employment and supervision of an electrical contractor source
- Electrical Contractor: Another two years as a licensed journeyman: 4,000 hours of additional work under a contractor, including a minimum of 2,000 hours of commercial work source
Exam
Apply to the Commission (with the fee) and get written approval first; once approved you have 90 days to arrange the exam. Tests are on the 2023 NEC (since December 2, 2024). source
Continuing education and renewal
16 hours of continuing education (a minimum of 8 code hours) by the time you renew or by June 30, whichever is sooner; only 8 hours may be pre-approved online courses (ARSD 20:44:17:02). The 2026 biennial renewal required CE certificates for July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2026. source
Reciprocity
To use a reciprocal agreement "you must have earned your license there by examination and you must have held it for at least one year unless otherwise specified." Existing agreements: Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas and Wyoming (the license types covered differ by state). source
Renewal dates and CE for this license: Credential Renewal Calendar.
Last checked 2026-10-19. Code edition by state: NFPA NEC enforcement maps.
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