SOUTH-DAKOTA · plumber
Journeyman Plumber
South Dakota Plumbing Commission (Department of Labor and Regulation)Scope
South Dakota licenses plumbers at the state level through the South Dakota Plumbing Commission, within the Department of Labor and Regulation (DLR), under South Dakota Codified Laws (SDCL) Chapter 36-25 (Plumbers). The commission issues Apprentice, Journeyman, Contractor, Restricted Appliance, Sewer and Water, and Underground Irrigation licenses, among others. Source: SD Plumbing Commission (https://dlr.sd.gov/bdcomm/plumbing/default.aspx) and SD Plumbing Commission Licensing (https://dlr.sd.gov/bdcomm/plumbing/plumbers_license.aspx).
Experience
A Journeyman Plumber applicant must document 8,000 hours (approximately four years) of practical plumbing experience as a registered apprentice under the supervision of a licensed South Dakota Master or Journeyman Plumber. Hours are counted through the commission's apprentice registration program. Source: SDCL 36-25-7.
Education
Applicants must complete the classroom instruction in plumbing theory, code, and safety required by the commission's apprentice program, typically delivered through a South Dakota-approved apprenticeship, UA Local 49 (South Dakota) JATC, or a South Dakota technical college plumbing program (for example, Lake Area Technical College).
Exam
Administered by the commission or a contracted vendor listed on the commission's licensing page. The exam is based on the plumbing-code edition currently adopted by South Dakota (Uniform Plumbing Code as amended) plus South Dakota-specific law and rule under SDCL 36-25 and ARSD 20:51. Verify current passing score and exam fees on the commission's licensing page before applying.
Reciprocity
South Dakota has plumber reciprocity agreements with several neighboring states under SDCL 36-25-24 and commission rule. Historical reciprocal states have included North Dakota, Montana, Nebraska, Wyoming, Minnesota, and Iowa, subject to current policy and equivalent licensing. Verify the current reciprocity list on the commission's licensing page before relying.
Renewal and CE
South Dakota plumber licenses renew annually under SDCL 36-25-22. Journeyman and Master Plumbers must complete approved continuing education each renewal, including a plumbing-code update course, per ARSD 20:51. Verify the current CE structure on the SD Plumbing Commission Continuing Education page (https://dlr.sd.gov/bdcomm/plumbing/continuing_education.aspx) before each renewal.
Background Check
The commission may require background checks for new applicants under SDCL 36-25 and rule.
Scope Limits
A Journeyman Plumber performs installation, maintenance, and repair of plumbing systems under the supervision of a Master Plumber. The journeyman cannot pull permits in the journeyman's own name; permits are pulled by a licensed Plumbing Contractor.
Reciprocity
Accepts from: north-dakota, montana, nebraska, wyoming, minnesota, iowa
Verified Apr 25, 2026 · compiled from public sources, verify current rules with South Dakota Plumbing Commission (Department of Labor and Regulation) before acting