South Dakota is a state that does not require its general contractors to obtain state-level licensing. However, every county is unique, and you should check with your local office to ensure you have the correct certifications. If you are working with electrical or plumbing systems as well as asbestos abatement, you must go through training courses and pass a certification exam.  

Before getting started on the requirements, it's necessary to keep a few things in mind. As a contractor or contracting corporation, you must be willing and able to provide unemployment insurance and workers compensation to your employees. If you are working in Rapid City, SD, you must pass the ICC W11, W12, and W13 exams for general, building, and residential builder contractor licenses. 

The Benefits of Having a Contractor's License in South Dakota

The requirements of construction workers will vary depending on the state where you primarily work. In the state of South Dakota, general contractors are not under obligation to obtain a state-level license. However, each county will have unique requirements. Plus, plumbing, electrical, and asbestos abatement contractors are required to obtain state-level licensing and/or certifications.  

Though there is no requirement for general contractors to obtain licensing to work in the state of South Dakota, your company will still benefit from completing the training and getting a license. Two of the top benefits include  

• Your business becomes more credible. 
• Your company gains a higher earning potential.

 
If you have official paperwork from the state to back the hard work you're doing, clients will trust you more. They'll start to recommend you to neighbors, friends, and other members of their community. Plus, if you are trying to gain new clients, having licensing helps them get on board and support you more quickly.  

Having a contractor's license also means that your company can take on more significant projects. If you are looking to dip your toes into the commercial side of contracting, you'll want to make sure your paperwork is in order. You'll earn more capital by taking on these larger projects. In general, contractors who have proper licensing tend to be higher paid than unlicensed handypersons.  

Lastly, if you take the appropriate steps to get your certification, you will help protect your community. Unqualified and under-trained technicians working on homes and in neighborhoods could lead to shoddy projects and endanger homeowners. Though not all home construction work requires a license, you should ask yourself whether it's worth it or not to invest in training. 

At Contractor Training Center, we provide you all the materials you need to get your license on your schedule. You'll find everything you need here, from our course offerings to a frequently-asked-questions section. We give you in-depth explanations of the steps necessary to obtain your contractor's license. Plus, we offer additional resources depending on the specific needs of you and your company.  

Our goal is to make your training period as manageable and stress-free as possible. With Contractor Training Center, you'll be able to complete the certification courses on your own time.  

Contact Us

Convinced that getting your contractor's license and/or certification is the right step for your business? Whether you want to stick to general contracting and attract more clients, or you're looking to dive into plumbing, electricity, or asbestos abatement, we'll help you get started. Contractor Training Center will help you determine how to proceed and boost your business.  

Maybe you're already fully on board with obtaining licensing for your South Dakota contracting company, and you're just looking for instructions on how to get started? Don't worry, we've got you covered, too. Get ready for your step-by-step guide to South Dakota-specific contractor licensing.

Step One: Create Your Business 

The first step in the process of obtaining your contractor's license is to create your company. If you already have a business, skip to the third step. For those of you who are looking to get started, continue reading.  

You'll need a company to obtain your license since South Dakota does not provide licensing to individuals. You can go through a variety of options to declare your business, including limited liability companies (LLC), corporations, and partnerships, among others. Seek professional legal consultation if you are unsure which model would work best for your needs.  
 

Step Two: Name Your Business 

A great company name will do half of your advertising work for you. You may choose to name your business after yourself or decide to show off the type of work you intend to perform. Either way, you'll need to get the name registered. 

You'll have to go through the appropriate South Dakota departments to register your company, which will vary depending on the contracting work you'll pursue.

If you are interested in applying for the Board of Contractors in South Dakota, you'll have to show your name and company registration.  
 

Step Three: Decide What Type Of License Your Business Needs  

Now, it's time for you to decide which licensing works best for your company. Sit down with your management team to determine which certifications you should work toward first. Inform your subcontractors about your plans. Even if you are a general contracting company, researching relevant licenses could help your business grow and attract more clients.   

Electrical Contractor's License
Working with electricity systems in South Dakota requires that you obtain a license. To apply for your electrician licensure, you can contact the Department of Labor and the Regulations Electrical Commission in South Dakota. More information about your specific procedure is available on the official department website. 

1) Plumbing Contractor's License 
As a plumbing contractor company in South Dakota, you must obtain a license. To obtain the application, get into contact with the South Dakota State Plumbing Commission through their phone number (605) 773-3429. You can find more information about specific requirements through the Commission's official site page for the Plumbing Commission. 

2) Asbestos Abatement Certification 
If you are focusing your business on asbestos abatement, you'll follow a slightly distinct procedure from prospective plumbing and electrical contractors. You're going to work towards obtaining a certificate rather than a license. 
Your team should contact the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources through their phone number (605) 773-3153. The department website also has resources to help you get started.  

3) General Contractor's License 
As of the current date, South Dakota does not provide state licenses or certifications for companies only engaging in general contracting work. However, you should contact the local governments in whichever counties where you're interested in working. In some cases, you'll have to obtain licensing and/or certificates from those offices to work as a contractor.  

So, Which Exam Should You Take? 
The Contractor Training Center offers exam prep material and courses for companies in South Dakota. Currently, our offers only apply to certain divisions/cities within the state. Our team is working on crafting classes applicable to more counties/cities. The offerings include Rapid City, South Dakota. We focus on the three most common licenses within the state of SD.  

All of our courses are available as pre-recorded sessions so that you can work at an individual pace. We have a support team available 24/7 if you have specific questions or concerns. 

First, we offer a General Contractor's License prep course. The official classification of the certification is ICC-W11. Second is the Building Contractor's License Prep course to obtain the ICC-W12. Lastly, you can prep for the Residential contractor's exam.   

Contact our team to get started on your contractor's license training. 
 

A - General Contractor's License prep course for the ICC- W11 A Exam

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B - Building Contractor's License Prep course for the ICC-W12 B Exam

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C - Residential contractor's exam for the ICC- W13 C Exam

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Step Four: Take The Exam 

After going through the Contractor Training course material at your pace, it's time for you to register for and take the exam. Check with your department to see how to register, what materials you can bring, and any fees

Exam Times And Dates 

South Dakota contractor exams take place at various times throughout the year. The testing locations vary as well. You'll have to contact your relevant departments to register and get more information.