South Dakota Contractor License Lookup

South Dakota has no state general contractor license; some cities, such as Sioux Falls, license home contractors. Electricians and plumbers are licensed by the state. See the state rules for trades and where to check a license. Runs in your browser; nothing is stored.

South Dakota rules checked against official sources on October 25, 2026.

This runs in your browser. Nothing you enter is sent, saved or added to the page address.

Labor and materials together, in dollars. Leave it blank to see the state's dollar limits.

South Dakota: Remodel, repair or home improvement

South Dakota does not license this work statewide.

South Dakota does not license general or home improvement contractors statewide. Some cities do: Sioux Falls, for example, requires a city license for permit work on 1- and 2-family homes. Check with your city. Source

City and county licenses: Contractor licensing in South Dakota is set by cities. Sioux Falls, for example, requires a Residential Building Contractor's License for permit work on 1- and 2-family homes and townhomes. Ask the city where the work is done. Source

This summarises state rules from official sources. Only the board's own record can confirm one contractor's license. Checked October 25, 2026.

How South Dakota licenses contractors

South Dakota has no state general contractor license; some cities, such as Sioux Falls, license home contractors. Electricians and plumbers are licensed by the state. SD DLR boards and commissions list (no contractor board); City of Sioux Falls Residential Building Contractors

Contractor licensing in South Dakota is set by cities. Sioux Falls, for example, requires a Residential Building Contractor's License for permit work on 1- and 2-family homes and townhomes. Ask the city where the work is done. (source)

Rules by type of work

Remodel, repair or home improvement

South Dakota does not license general or home improvement contractors statewide. Some cities do: Sioux Falls, for example, requires a city license for permit work on 1- and 2-family homes. Check with your city. SD DLR boards and commissions list (checked: Electrical and Plumbing Commissions only for construction); City of Sioux Falls

Building a new home

South Dakota does not license home builders statewide. Some cities license residential contractors, including for new construction. Check with your city. SD DLR boards and commissions list; City of Sioux Falls

Electrical work

  • state electrical license: Anyone paid to install, add to, alter or repair electrical wiring or equipment must be licensed by the State Electrical Commission. The statute sets no dollar minimum. Issued by South Dakota Electrical Commission (Dept. of Labor & Regulation). SDCL 36-16-13

Plumbing

  • state plumbing license: Plumbing on property connected to a public water or sewer system must be done by someone licensed by the State Plumbing Commission. The statute sets no dollar minimum. Issued by South Dakota Plumbing Commission (Dept. of Labor & Regulation). SDCL 36-25-17
    • Owners doing plumbing on the home they live in, on a single-family home they are building to live in, or repair work on their own property are exempt, as are people doing plumbing repair work on premises where they are employed.

Heating and air conditioning (HVAC)

We could not confirm a statewide South Dakota rule for this work from official sources. Ask the contractor which license covers it, check that license with the agency that issued it, and ask your city or county building department.

Roofing

South Dakota does not license roofers statewide. Some cities do: Sioux Falls includes shingle work in its residential contractor license. Check with your city. SD DLR boards and commissions list (checked: Electrical and Plumbing Commissions only for construction); City of Sioux Falls

Where to look up contractors in South Dakota

  • South Dakota Electrical Commission (Dept. of Labor & Regulation): official website
  • South Dakota Plumbing Commission (Dept. of Labor & Regulation): official license search. Open the Commission's lists of licensed plumbers and specialty licensees (PDF) and look for the name.

On the record, check that the name matches your contract, the status is active (not expired, suspended or revoked), the license type covers your job, and the license number matches the one the contractor gave you.

What this tool does not do

  • It does not check any one contractor. Only the board's own record shows whether a license is active and what it covers.
  • It covers state rules. Cities and counties can add their own licenses and permits, and the tool cannot list every local rule.
  • It does not decide whether a contractor broke the law or what you can recover. For a dispute, contact the board or a lawyer.
  • It does not cover every specialty trade a state licenses (for example pest control, elevators or well drilling).

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I look up a contractor license in South Dakota?

South Dakota has no statewide license search for general contractors. Ask your city or county building department which license the job needs and how to check it. For trade work, the state boards on this page are: South Dakota Electrical Commission (Dept. of Labor & Regulation) and South Dakota Plumbing Commission (Dept. of Labor & Regulation).

Does South Dakota require a general contractor license?

South Dakota does not license general or home improvement contractors statewide. Some cities do: Sioux Falls, for example, requires a city license for permit work on 1- and 2-family homes. Check with your city.

Which trades need a state license in South Dakota?

Electrical: state electrical license from the South Dakota Electrical Commission (Dept. of Labor & Regulation). Plumbing: state plumbing license from the South Dakota Plumbing Commission (Dept. of Labor & Regulation).

Sources

Checked against official South Dakota sources on October 25, 2026.

Know someone who could use this? Share this free tool:

Share: