Who licenses what in South Dakota
| Work | Who licenses it | How to check |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical, statewide | South Dakota Electrical Commission, which "licenses all electricians within the state" | Call 605.773.3573 |
| Plumbing, sewer and water, appliance, irrigation, water conditioning and septic installers, statewide | South Dakota Plumbing Commission | Call 605.773.3429 |
| Residential building work that needs a permit, in Sioux Falls | City of Sioux Falls residential building contractor license | Currently Licensed Contractors |
| Electrical, plumbing and mechanical contractors in Sioux Falls | City of Sioux Falls license (on top of the state license for electricians and plumbers) | Same list, or 605-367-8672 |
The Electrical Commission and Plumbing Commission pages did not link a public license search when we read them on 25 October 2026, so call. Plumbing licenses expire every 31 December and the one-month grace period "is no longer in effect" (Plumbing Commission).
What a Sioux Falls building license requires
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Exam | Construction Supervisor exam, 80% or higher to pass; apply within 90 days of passing |
| Bond | $20,000 compliance bond |
| Insurance | At least $300,000 general liability |
| Who needs it | Anyone doing "Any construction work done on residential homes that would require a building permit" |
| Who does not | Homeowners doing their own work (they still need permits and inspections), and work with no permit such as floor coverings, painting or cabinets |
From the city's Residential Building Contractors page.
How to look a contractor up, step by step
- Ask for the Sioux Falls license number and, for wiring or plumbing, the state license number.
- Find the firm on Currently Licensed Contractors, or call Building Services at 605-367-8672 "to confirm the license is active".
- Confirm the electrician with the Electrical Commission (605.773.3573) and the plumber with the Plumbing Commission (605.773.3429).
- Ask for proof of general liability insurance.
- Look up the address's permits with the Sioux Falls building permit search guide.
The city's Hiring a Contractor page warns against paying in full up front, and against a contractor who asks you to pull the permit, request inspections or sign a completion certificate before the City approves the work.
Our permit data in South Dakota
| Sioux Falls, Oct 2024 – Sep 2026 | Permits |
|---|---|
| Electrical | 4,491 |
| Remodel | 4,362 |
| HVAC | 4,247 |
| Plumbing | 4,013 |
| Roofing | 1,719 |
| New homes | 1,439 |
These are permit counts, not a contractor ranking.
Red flags on a South Dakota job
- A Sioux Falls contractor not on the city's licensed list.
- A contractor who asks you to pull the permit or to sign off before the City's final inspection.
- An electrician or plumber who cannot give a state license number.
- A request for full payment before the work is inspected.
How we know this
State licensing roles are quoted from the South Dakota Electrical Commission and Plumbing Commission pages, and Sioux Falls license requirements and hiring advice from the City of Sioux Falls' Residential Building Contractors and Hiring a Contractor pages, read 25 October 2026. Counts come from the City of Sioux Falls' permit file, read 19 October 2026; we have not matched South Dakota contractor names to license records.
Numbers come from public permit records in 57 cities, data through October 19, 2026. Nobody paid to be on this page and nobody can.
Questions
- Does South Dakota have a state general contractor license?
We found none on the Department of Labor & Regulation's list of licensing programs. The state licenses electricians (Electrical Commission) and plumbers (Plumbing Commission); builders are licensed by cities such as Sioux Falls.
- Who licenses electricians in South Dakota?
The South Dakota Electrical Commission, which "licenses all electricians within the state", inspects wiring installations and investigates wiring complaints. Phone 605.773.3573.
- Who licenses plumbers in South Dakota?
The South Dakota Plumbing Commission licenses plumbers, sewer and water installers, appliance installers, underground irrigation installers, water conditioning installers and septic installers. Plumbing licenses expire every 31 December. Phone 605.773.3429.
- Does a Sioux Falls contractor need a city license?
Yes. Sioux Falls requires "licensing, bonding, and liability insurance for residential, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical contractors". A residential building contractor's supervisor must pass the Construction Supervisor exam (80% to pass) and post a $20,000 compliance bond and at least $300,000 of general liability insurance.
- How do I check a Sioux Falls contractor's license?
Use the city's Currently Licensed Contractors list, or call Building Services at 605-367-8672 to confirm the license is active.
Build your own list
Pick your city and the kind of work. Every firm with a permit on record, sorted by what you value.
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- South Dakota Electrical Commission — SD Department of Labor & Regulation (2026-10-25)
- South Dakota Plumbing Commission — SD Department of Labor & Regulation (2026-10-25)
- Hiring a Contractor — City of Sioux Falls (2026-10-25)
- Residential Building Contractors — City of Sioux Falls (2026-10-25)
- Currently Licensed Contractors — City of Sioux Falls (2026-10-25)