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Licensed jobs in South Dakota

South Dakota: 9 occupations, 8 licensing agencies. For each one: the board, the main credential, its training, application fee and renewal cycle, from the boards' own pages.

Last checked · 28 official sources

On this page
  1. Occupations we cover in South Dakota
  2. Licensing boards
  3. Moving to South Dakota with a license
  4. Check a license
  5. Sources

Occupations we cover in South Dakota

South Dakota licenses 9 of the 9 occupations below at the state level. Electricians have the most levels here (7 credentials); each occupation page covers every level.

OccupationMain licenseBoardTraining or experienceApplication feeRenewal
CosmetologistCosmetologist
4 credentials in all		South Dakota Cosmetology CommissionTraining 1,500 clock hours1$1202Every year3
Notary publicNotary Public
2 credentials in all		SOS–$305Every 6 years5
Registered nurse (RN)Registered Nurse (RN), single-state license (South Dakota only)
2 credentials in all		South Dakota Board of Nursing–$1006Every 2 years7
Insurance agentResident producer (insurance producer license)
3 credentials in all		South Dakota Division of Insurance–$2511Every 2 years11
PlumberPlumber
6 credentials in all		South Dakota Plumbing CommissionTraining 1,020 clock hours13
Experience 4 years13		$5013Every year14
Certified nursing assistant (CNA)Certified Nurse Aide (CNA)
2 credentials in all		South Dakota Board of NursingTraining 75 clock hours15–Every 2 years16
ElectricianJourneyman Electrician
7 credentials in all		South Dakota Electrical CommissionExperience 8,000 hours18$6019Every 2 years20
Massage therapistMassage therapy license (South Dakota Board of Massage Therapy)
2 credentials in all		South Dakota Board of Massage TherapyTraining 500 clock hours22$10023Every year24
Real estate agentResponsible Broker
3 credentials in all		SDRECTraining 116 classroom hours27
Experience 2 years27		$22527Every 2 years27

Licensing boards

8 agencies issue the South Dakota licenses we cover:

  • South Dakota Electrical Commission: electricians
  • South Dakota Plumbing Commission: plumbers
  • South Dakota Cosmetology Commission: cosmetologists
  • South Dakota Board of Nursing: registered nurses and nursing assistants
  • South Dakota Division of Insurance: insurance agents
  • South Dakota Real Estate Commission (SDREC): real estate agents
  • South Dakota Secretary of State (SOS): notaries
  • South Dakota Board of Massage Therapy: massage therapists

Moving to South Dakota with a license

For electricians, the South Dakota board names the states whose licenses it accepts. The boards for notaries publish no transfer route, so you apply as a new applicant. Conditions, fees and forms are on each occupation page.

OccupationRoutes the board publishes
CosmetologistLicense by endorsement, Temporary license or permit and Military service members and spouses134
Notary publicNo reciprocity route5
Registered nurse (RN)Interstate compact privilege, License by endorsement, Temporary license or permit and Military service members and spouses89710
Insurance agentExam waiver12
PlumberLicense by endorsement and Exam waiver1413
Certified nursing assistant (CNA)License by endorsement17
ElectricianReciprocity agreements21
Massage therapistLicense by endorsement and Interstate compact privilege2526
Real estate agentLicense by endorsement2728

Check a license

Every board above runs its own license search. The South Dakota license lookup page lists them in one place, with the links to report an unlicensed or problem provider.

Sources

Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.

  1. ARSD Article 20:42 CosmetologySouth Dakota LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
  2. SD Cosmetology Commission - Licensing and ExaminationsSouth Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation, Cosmetology CommissionChecked November 7, 2026
  3. SDCL Chapter 36-15 CosmetologistsSouth Dakota LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
  4. SDLRC - Codified Law 36-1B-4 - Fees. 36-1B-4. Fees.South Dakota Legislature, Codified LawsChecked November 7, 2026
  5. SDCL Chapter 18-1 Notaries PublicSouth Dakota LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
  6. New LPN/RN License ApplicationSouth Dakota Board of NursingDated April 9, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  7. SDCL ch. 36-9 Professional and Practical NursesSouth Dakota LegislatureChecked November 8, 2026
  8. Nurse Licensure CompactSouth Dakota Board of NursingDated April 22, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  9. ARSD article 20:48 NursesSouth Dakota LegislatureDated August 3, 2026Checked November 8, 2026
  10. SDCL ch. 36-1B Military licensureSouth Dakota LegislatureChecked November 8, 2026
  11. Resident ProducersSouth Dakota Department of Labor & Regulation, Division of InsuranceChecked November 7, 2026
  12. Non-Resident ProducersSouth Dakota Department of Labor & Regulation, Division of InsuranceChecked November 7, 2026
  13. ARSD art. 20:53 - Plumbing Commission (licensing, fees, CE)South Dakota LegislatureDated November 3, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  14. SDCL ch. 36-25 - PlumbersSouth Dakota LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
  15. ARSD ch. 20:48:18 Certified Nurse Aide Training ProgramSouth Dakota LegislatureDated September 8, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  16. Student Initial Registration RequirementsSouth Dakota Board of NursingDated August 13, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  17. ARSD ch. 20:48:16 Certified Nurse Aide and Medication Aide RegistrySouth Dakota LegislatureDated September 8, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  18. Licensing & RenewalsSouth Dakota Electrical Commission (Department of Labor and Regulation)Checked November 7, 2026
  19. ARSD ch. 20:44:16 Qualifications and LicensesSouth Dakota LegislatureDated November 12, 2024Checked November 7, 2026
  20. SDCL ch. 36-16 Electricians and Electrical ContractorsSouth Dakota LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
  21. Reciprocal Licensing AgreementsSouth Dakota Electrical Commission (Department of Labor and Regulation)Checked November 7, 2026
  22. Board of Massage Therapy Education, Training & Examination RequirementsSouth Dakota Board of Massage Therapy (Department of Health)Dated January 28, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  23. BMT Application for LicenseSouth Dakota Board of Massage Therapy (Department of Health)Dated May 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  24. SDCL chapter 36-35 Massage TherapistsSouth Dakota LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
  25. Board of Massage Therapy Licensing RequirementsSouth Dakota Board of Massage Therapy (Department of Health)Dated September 10, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  26. The Interstate Massage Compact MapInterstate Massage Compact (IMpact)Checked November 7, 2026
  27. License Law Book (SDCL 36-21A and ARSD 20:69)South Dakota Real Estate CommissionDated July 1, 2025Checked November 6, 2026
  28. License Types & RequirementsSouth Dakota Real Estate CommissionChecked November 6, 2026