South Dakota renewal guide
Apprentice Plumber License
If this license is up for renewal, this page shows who handles it, when it renews, and what you should have ready before you submit.
See this alongside the other 21 South Dakota license pages we track.
Start here
What matters before you file.
Check the timing first, then make sure the records tied to the license are still current.
Issuing authority
Renewal period
Every 12 months
Bond requirement
No
Insurance requirement
No
Before you renew
Get the filing straight.
- 1
File with the board
File through South Dakota Plumbing Commission once the supporting proof is ready.
Renew online - 2
Leave room for processing
Typical processing time is 14 days, so do not wait until the last minute.
Detailed notes
The fine print is here.
South Dakota Apprentice Plumber License
All persons performing plumbing work in South Dakota must be licensed — register with the South Dakota Plumbing Commission before your first day on the job. No examination required, employer verification only. Licenses renew annually on December 31.
SDCL 36-25 Requires Every Apprentice to Register Before Performing Plumbing Work
South Dakota requires every person performing plumbing work — including trade beginners — to hold a valid Plumbing Commission license before starting any job. Submit the apprentice application at dlr.sd.gov/plumbing/forms.aspx with a letter from your employing licensed plumbing contractor. No examination is required.
Contact the Commission for Current Registration and Renewal Fees
The South Dakota Plumbing Commission does not publish current apprentice registration fees online. Contact the commission at SDPlumbing@state.sd.us or 605.773.3429 for current application and annual renewal fee amounts.
Licenses renew annually and expire December 31.
First Two Years Require Constant On-Site Supervision; Year Three Unlocks Solo Single-Family Work
- First and second year (0–3,800 hours): Work under the direct, on-site supervision of a licensed journeyman or master plumber at all times.
- Third and fourth year: After two full years (minimum 3,800 hours) and passing the state-administered examination, you may work unsupervised on single-family dwellings only. All other work types still require supervision.
Four Years (7,600 Hours) Qualifies You for the Journeyman Plumber Exam
To apply for the plumber's license examination, you must complete four years as a licensed apprentice plumber — minimum 1,900 hours per year (7,600 hours total). Submit the journeyman application at dlr.sd.gov/plumbing/forms.aspx when you meet the experience threshold.
Performing Plumbing Work Without a License Is a Class 2 Misdemeanor
Operating without a valid Plumbing Commission license violates SDCL 36-25 and is a Class 2 misdemeanor. Penalties include fines and potential criminal prosecution.
*Contact the South Dakota Plumbing Commission: SDPlumbing@state.sd.us or 605.773.3429.*
Official links
Check the board or agency directly.
Required documents
- employer_verification
Source notes
South Dakota Plumbing Commission, Department of Labor and Regulation . Verified March 2026. https://dlr.sd.gov/plumbing/forms.aspx
Rules move. Check South Dakota Plumbing Commission again before you pay, renew, or schedule work around this requirement.
Some details could not be fully confirmed from public sources. Double-check the fee, timing, and supporting requirements with South Dakota Plumbing Commission.
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Next steps
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Printable checklist
South Dakota checklist
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