South Dakota Plumber Licensing FAQs
Answers to frequently asked questions about South Dakota’s plumber licensing and continuing education
How to Get a South Dakota Journeyman Plumber License
- Meet state requirements
- Have 4 years experience as an apprentice plumber.
- Have spent at least 1,900 hours per year during these four years as an apprentice.
- Complete and submit an application for licensure along with applicable fees
- Take and pass the South Dakota plumber exams
How to Get a South Dakota Plumbing Contractor License
- Meet state requirements
- Have 6 years experience as a plumbing contractor, plumber, or plumber’s apprentice with at least two of those years as a plumbing contractor or plumber
- Have spent at least 1,900 hours per year during these six years as a plumbing contractor, plumber or plumber’s apprentice
- Complete and submit an application for licensure along with applicable fees
- Take and pass the South Dakota plumber exams
South Dakota Plumber Renewal Requirements
Renewal Deadline: December 31 every year
Continuing Education: All plumbers must complete 4 hours of continuing education annually, including third year apprentices
Getting Licensed
Who needs to be licensed for plumbing in South Dakota?
Individuals must be licensed to perform any type of plumbing work.
What are the types of plumbing licenses available in South Dakota?
- Journeyman
- Plumbing Contractor
Does South Dakota have reciprocal licensing with other states?
You may be registered as a plumber in South Dakota without taking an examination if:
- You pay the required fee.
- You hold a license from another state that the Commission determines is equivalent to a South Dakota license.
Contact the Commission at (605) 773-3429 for more information.
What fees are associated with becoming a plumber in South Dakota?
Journeyman
- Application/Exam: $205
Plumbing Contractor
Application/Exam: $375
Renewing a License
When do I need to renew my South Dakota plumbing license?
Licenses expire December 31 every year.
How do I renew my plumbing license in South Dakota?
- Complete the required 4-hours continuing education
- The Plumbing Commission sends out renewal notices the end of September each year
- Licensee’s can either pay by sending in check or money order with their statements or can go to http://plumbing.sd.gov and then to Online payments option, set up an account an pay online
- Provide proof of your continuing education. We submit your continuing education to the state after course completion
Do I need continuing education to renew my plumbing license in South Dakota?
Yes, all plumbers must complete 4 hours of continuing education annually, including third year apprentices
My South Dakota plumbing license has expired — how do I get it reinstated?
Licenses may be renewed no later than January 31st. If it is after January 31st, you must apply again, but if the application for reinstatement is received within one year of expiration the examination will be waived.
How do I get my journeyman plumbing license in South Dakota?
- Meet state requirements
- Have four years experience as an apprentice plumber.
- Have spent at least 1,900 hours per year during these four years as an apprentice. Credit for military plumbing is given at the rate of one year credit for each two years in the military up to a maximum of five years of credit.
- Complete a Journeyman Plumber Application
- Pay the $205 non-refundable application processing fee
- Accompany your application with written statements from present and previous employers which must state:
- dates of employment;
- number of hours worked during employment; and, c) extent of work performed during employment.
- Reciprocity applicants – accompany this application with a photo-copy of your current license from the state in which you
are licensed and disregard instruction #5. (MN, ND, MT, CO RESIDENTS ONLY) - Pass the South Dakota plumber exams – study for your test!
What fees are associated with becoming a journeyman plumber in South Dakota?
- Application/Exam: $205
What can I expect from the South Dakota journeyman plumbing exam?
South Dakota does not release information about their exams.
What does your journeyman plumber exam prep cover?
Uniform Plumbing Code Exam Prep:
- About the Exam
- Effective Study Techniques
- Administration
- Definitions
- General Regulations
- Plumbing Math
- Plumbing Fixtures and Fixture Fittings
- Water Heaters
- Water Supply and Distribution
- Sanitary Drainage
- Indirect Waste
- Vents
- Traps and Interceptors
- Storm Drainage
- Appendices
- Hands-On Practical Application
- Measuring, fitting, and soldering copper piping
Where can I take the South Dakota journeyman plumber exam?
- Pierre
- Sioux Falls
- Rapid City
Exams may be scheduled in Pierre at any time by advance appointment. Sioux Falls and Rapid City dates are scheduled once there are 8-10 applicants that wish to test in those locations.
What happens if I fail my exam?
You have to re-take the exam
How do I get my plumbing contractor license in South Dakota?
- Meet state requirements
- Have six years experience as a plumbing contractor, plumber, or plumber’s apprentice with at least two of those years as a plumbing contractor or plumber.
- Have spent at least 1,900 hours per year during these six years as a plumbing contractor, plumber or plumber’s apprentice.
- Complete a Journeyman Plumber Application
- Pay the $375 non-refundable application processing fee
- Accompany your application with written statements from present and previous employers which must state:
- dates of employment;
- number of hours worked during employment; and, c) extent of work performed during employment.
- Reciprocity applicants – accompany this application with a photo-copy of your current license from the state in which you
are licensed and disregard instruction #5. (MN, ND, MT, CO RESIDENTS ONLY) - Pass the South Dakota plumber exams – study for your test!
What fees are associated with becoming a plumbing contractor in South Dakota?
- Application/Exam: $375
What can I expect from the South Dakota plumbing contractor exams?
Uniform Plumbing Code Exam Prep:
- About the Exam
- Effective Study Techniques
- Administration
- Definitions
- General Regulations
- Plumbing Math
- Plumbing Fixtures and Fixture Fittings
- Water Heaters
- Water Supply and Distribution
- Sanitary Drainage
- Indirect Waste
- Vents
- Traps and Interceptors
- Storm Drainage
- Appendices
- Hands-On Practical Application
- Measuring, fitting, and soldering copper piping
Where can I take the South Dakota plumbing contractor exam?
- Pierre
- Sioux Falls
- Rapid City
Exams may be scheduled in Pierre at any time by advance appointment. Sioux Falls and Rapid City dates are scheduled once there are 8-10 applicants that wish to test in those locations.
What happens if I fail my exam?
You have to re-take the exam.
What continuing education is required to renew my South Dakota plumber license?
All plumbers must complete 4 hours of continuing education related to the plumbing trade annually, including third year apprentices.
Who submits South Dakota plumbing continuing education course completions to the state?
South Dakota requires the license holder to submit their own course completion.
Are your continuing education courses approved for credit in the state of South Dakota?
Yes, our courses are approved for plumbing continuing education credit by the South Dakota Plumbing Commission.
South Dakota State Plumbing Commission
308 South Pierre Street
c/o 1320 East Sioux Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501
(605) 773-3429
https://dlr.sd.gov/plumbing/default.aspx
Exams are scheduled through the Plumbing Commission
Once I order a course, how long before I can start?
You may begin immediately! Simply click the Login button in the upper right-hand corner on your desktop or in the upper-right menu on mobile. Once you’ve entered your login and password, you will be taken to your courses. Follow the instructions and enjoy!
Once I start an online course, can I start and stop it at any time?
Our courses are available online, 24/7, and you can log in and log out at any time during the course. If you are going to be away from your computer for more than 10-15 minutes, we recommend that you log out. When you log back in, you will be able to re-enter the lesson you were last in.
How long do your exam prep courses take to complete?
It depends on your learning style and comfort level with the topics we cover. There is no set time for completing exam prep courses — you go at your own pace!
Many plumbers like to re-watch materials, while others like to re-take the practice tests. Our recommendation is to go through the course as many times as you need to be comfortable with the material and any applicable reference books. The more familiar you are with the materials, the better you will do on your exam!
How long do I have access to my courses?
After you purchase a course, you have unlimited access for six months. If you need additional time, please contact our offices to arrange an extension (please note: a fee may apply).
Do your courses have tests?
It depends on course type and location. Most continuing education courses include quizzes.
Exam prep courses have a short quiz at the end of each lesson and a longer practice test at the end of the course. These quizzes and tests are there to help you practice taking an exam and identify areas you may wish to review more.
If I fail a practice test, do I have to take it again?
No. Practice tests are just that: for practice. You will have the opportunity to retake the practice tests until you do pass. The practice tests are there to help you get used to the process of using your reference materials and finding the correct answers during an exam. If you don’t pass on the first try, take the time to note what sections of the material you need to review.
Once I complete a course, can I still go back and review the lessons and quizzes?
You can review the lessons and quizzes at any time during the six months you have access to the courses.
