STATE LICENSE
RequiredSouth Dakota State Plumbing Commission (D…
SDCL 36-25-17 bars anyone from doing licensed plumbing on property connected to a public waterworks or sewer system without a State Plumbing Commission license, with exemptions for an owner's own residence and for minor repair work on one's own or an employer's property. A plumber needs four years of apprenticeship at 1,900 hours a year; a plumbing contractor needs six years with at least two as a plumber or contractor, and both pass a commission exam (ARSD 20:53:03:02).
Licenses are annual and expire December 31 (SDCL 36-25-19.4). The fee rule effective July 2, 2025 sets a $50 application fee, a $100 exam fee, and annual license fees of $275 for a plumbing contractor and $105 for a plumber. Renewal requires four hours of continuing education each license period, and new contractors and plumbers complete eight hours of code training in their first year. Plumbing must meet the 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code as adopted by the commission (SDCL 36-25-15).
The state sets the license floor; the county or city permit office controls filing, inspections, and local rules wherever the job site sits.
SDCL 36-25-16 lets municipalities adopt their own plumbing ordinances, inspect, and collect fees, so long as they meet the state minimum code; a state-registered plumber may work in such a city for six months after applying for its permit or license. No state plumbing permit is needed where a local permit was issued (SDCL 36-25-19.2).
The local offices section below names the exact permit desk for every South Dakota county on file.
Each row names the issuing authority, cost, timeline, citation, and status behind the requirement — verified against the official source.
Published fees from the issuing authorities, as of October 2026. Local permit fees vary by project and jurisdiction — the basis is stated where a flat number does not exist.
Plumbing licenses expire every December 31; working 60 days or more past expiration exposes you to discipline (ARSD 20:53:12:03).
The commission's current application, exam, and license fees took effect July 2, 2025 (51 SDR 141).
The SDCL 36-25-17 license requirement applies to property connected to a public water or sewer system; on-site septic work has its own installer license (SDCL 36-25-17.3).
A practical sequence for a new plumbing contractor in South Dakota. Actual agency processing times are noted in the ledger above.
Each item names the issuing authority, cycle, and citation.
Statutory consequences with their citations — not estimates, not “commonly cited” guesses.
Doing licensed plumbing work without a State Plumbing Commission license, or otherwise violating SDCL ch. 36-25, is a crime; the commission may seek an injunction instead.
The commission may refuse, revoke, suspend, or limit a license for violating law, rules, or local plumbing ordinances, or for knowingly aiding unlicensed work.
Inside city limits, the city office listed here issues the permit; the county office serves unincorporated areas. Every office links to its official page.
Every fact in this file was checked against these official sources on October 2026.
Pending verification: The exact state plumbing permit and installation certificate fees set by commission rule (statute caps them at $125 for a single-family dwelling and $25) · Whether the plumbing commission requires any liability insurance or bond for plumbing contractors (none found in SDCL ch. 36-25) · Which South Dakota cities run their own plumbing licensing or registration under SDCL 36-25-16
General information, not legal advice. Always confirm requirements, deadlines, and forms with the issuing authority before filing or contracting.
Store licenses, permits, policies, and renewal dates in one place.