How to check if a contractor is licensed in South Dakota
Edited by John Voll. Last verified .
In South Dakota, the state keeps license or registration records for general contractors, electrical contractors and plumbing contractors, and each has an official lookup or board listed below. For HVAC contractors and roofing contractors, our survey found no state-level license, so check with the city or county where the work is done. Check the record before you sign a contract or pay a deposit, and treat the board's own record as final.
Which board covers which trade
| Trade | Who keeps the record | Official lookup |
|---|---|---|
| General contractor | South Dakota Department of Revenue (contractor's excise tax license) | The South Dakota Department of Revenue (contractor's excise tax license) keeps the record; we found no public online lookup. |
| Electrical | South Dakota State Electrical Commission | The South Dakota State Electrical Commission keeps the record; we found no public online lookup. |
| Plumbing | South Dakota State Plumbing Commission | Search plumbing licenses |
| HVAC | City or county | Our survey of official South Dakota sources found no state-level HVAC contractor license. Check with the city or county where the work is done. |
| Roofing | City or county | Our survey of official South Dakota sources found no state-level roofing contractor license. Check with the city or county where the work is done. |
Step by step
- Ask the city or county building department where the work is done how they license general contractors.
- For plumbing work, also check the plumbing contractor lookup from South Dakota State Plumbing Commission.
- Electrical licenses are verified by calling or emailing the State Electrical Commission; there is no online search. source The Plumbing Commission posts PDF lists of licensed plumbers by city and license type. source Every contractor must write its contractor's excise tax license number on or near the building permit. source
- Confirm the record is active and the class matches the job (Contractor's Excise Tax License). The board's own record governs.
If the contractor is not licensed, or you have a complaint
Homeowner protections in South Dakota
- The electrical undertaking fund pays for correcting or completing work a contractor will not finish, up to $10,000 per occurrence. source
Questions
- How do I check if a contractor is licensed in South Dakota?
- South Dakota Department of Revenue (contractor's excise tax license) registers general contractors in South Dakota. Registration is not a competency license. For electrical, plumbing, HVAC or roofing work, use that trade's official lookup in the table on this page where the state keeps one.
- What can I do if a contractor in South Dakota is not licensed?
- Report unlicensed electrical work in writing to the State Electrical Commission in Pierre. Plumbing complaints go to the Plumbing Commission in writing and must be signed; anonymous complaints are not accepted.
All South Dakota licensing rules by trade
Sources
- https://dor.sd.gov/businesses/taxes/contractors-excise-tax/
- https://dor.sd.gov/media/1vgljwbp/2026-7-contractors-excise-tax-guide.pdf
- https://dlr.sd.gov/electrical/default.aspx
- https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/36-16-1
- https://dlr.sd.gov/plumbing/default.aspx
- https://dlr.sd.gov/plumbing/consumer_info.aspx
- https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/36-25-17
- https://dor.sd.gov/media/qn3a1y31/license-requirements-for-sales-use-contractors-excise-tax.pdf
- https://dlr.sd.gov/electrical/licensing.aspx
- https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/36-16-19
- https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/36-16-20
- https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/36-16-25
- https://dlr.sd.gov/electrical/reciprocal_agreements.aspx
- https://dlr.sd.gov/electrical/forms/Electrical-License-Application-General.pdf
- https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/36-16-17
- https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/36-25-19
- https://dlr.sd.gov/plumbing/licensing.aspx
- https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/36-25-19.4
- https://dlr.sd.gov/plumbing/reciprocal_agreements.aspx
- https://sdlegislature.gov/Rules/Administrative/20:53:12:01
- https://sdlegislature.gov/Rules/Administrative/20:53:12:03
- https://dlr.sd.gov/plumbing/exams.aspx
- https://dlr.sd.gov/electrical/complaints.aspx
- https://dlr.sd.gov/electrical/undertaking_insurance.aspx
- https://dlr.sd.gov/plumbing/complaints.aspx
This is not a government site. The licensing board's own record governs; always confirm on the official lookup. Information as of October 6, 2026.