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Home / Electricians / South Dakota / License

South Dakota journeyman electrician license

Journeyman license: what South Dakota Electrical Commission asks for once you're logging hours.8

8,000hours of supervised work
2 YEARSbetween renewals

How many hours do you need for the journeyman license in South Dakota?

8,000 hours of supervised work, about 4 years full time.3

Journeyman license
8,000 hrs4 years / 8,000 hours as a licensed apprentice under a contractor
electrical contractor
4,000 hrs2 more years as journeyman (4,000 hours under a contractor, at least 2,000 commercial)

Keep your own record of hours, employers and pay stubs. South Dakota Electrical Commission can ask for proof when you apply.

What is the South Dakota electrician exam like?

Yes. You take a state exam once your hours are approved. International Code Council (ICC) exams, scheduled and delivered through Pearson VUE after the Electrical Commission approves the applicant. Code book: 2023 NEC (all exams since Dec 2, 2024). Open book: you bring your own copy of the code book.12

How much does the journeyman license cost?

South Dakota Electrical Commission lists these fees.4

FeeAmount
Cap electrical contractor biennial$200
Cap journeyman biennial$80
Cap application$100
Cap exam$150
Wiring permit$20

How do you renew it?

2 years; licenses expire June 30 of each even-numbered year.5 Continuing education: 16 hours per renewal cycle, at least 8 on the NEC; max 8 hours online.6

Does a license from another state count in South Dakota?

Reciprocal agreements with AK, AR, CO, ID, IA, MN, MT, NE, NH, NM, ND, OK, TX, WY (license earned by exam, held 1 year).7

License levels in South Dakota

Apprentice (registered); Journeyman; Class B electrician (farm and residential contracting only); Electrical Contractor; Electrical inspector.

Ready to apply?

Applications, exam booking and hour forms are on South Dakota Electrical Commission's site.

Board license page

More for electricians in South Dakota

Sources

  1. South Dakota Electrical Commission: exam (dlr.sd.gov, 2026-10-27)
  2. South Dakota Electrical Commission: exam provider (iccsafe.org, 2026-10-27)
  3. South Dakota Electrical Commission: experience (dlr.sd.gov, 2026-10-27)
  4. South Dakota Electrical Commission: fees (sdlegislature.gov, 2026-10-27)
  5. South Dakota Electrical Commission: renewal (sdlegislature.gov, 2026-10-27)
  6. South Dakota Electrical Commission: continuing education (dlr.sd.gov, 2026-10-27)
  7. South Dakota Electrical Commission: reciprocity (dlr.sd.gov, 2026-10-27)
  8. South Dakota Electrical Commission: licensing (dlr.sd.gov, 2026-10-27)