The South Dakota Journeyman Electrician Guide
South Dakota licenses journeyman electricians statewide through the State Electrical Commission. Qualify with 8,000 hours (or an approved apprenticeship), then pass the ICC 80-question exam at 70%, open book on the 2023 NEC.
What Is the South Dakota Journeyman License?
The South Dakota journeyman electrician license is issued by the State Electrical Commission and is valid statewide. Journeymen install, alter, and repair electrical wiring under the supervision of a licensed master or contractor. The license is grounded in SDCL chapter 36-16, with implementing rules in ARSD 20:44:16.
The Requirements
- 8,000 hours (4 years) of documented electrical experience, or completion of an approved apprenticeship program.
- State Electrical Commission approval before scheduling the examination.
- Pass the ICC exam — exam 531, South Dakota Journeyman Electrician.
Exam Format: 80 Questions, 4 Hours, Open Book
The exam has 80 scored multiple-choice questions with 4 hours (240 minutes) allowed. You need 70% to pass. It is open book — the 2023 NEC is the primary reference for code questions.
| Exam | Questions | Time | Passing Score | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Journeyman Electrician (ICC 531) | 80 | 4 hours | 70% | NEC 2023 + Ugly’s |
What the Exam Covers
The official ICC bulletin gives the exact subject breakdown of the 80 scored questions:
- Wiring Methods and Materials — 21 questions. The heaviest area: raceways, cables, boxes, and wiring method rules.
- Branch Circuit Conductors — 15 questions. Conductor sizing, ampacity, and branch-circuit requirements.
- Equipment Devices — 10 questions. Receptacles, switches, and general-use equipment.
- Services and Service Equipment — 9 questions. Service conductors, disconnects, and service equipment.
- Special Occupancies, Equipment and Conditions — 9 questions. Hazardous locations and special applications.
- General Knowledge — 5 questions. Theory, definitions, and plan reading.
- Motors and Generators — 5 questions. Motor circuits and protection.
- Feeders — 3 questions. Feeder sizing and protection.
- Control Devices — 3 questions. Motor controls and control circuits.
How to Prepare
- Weight by the blueprint. Wiring Methods (21) + Branch Conductors (15) is 45% of the exam.
- Master Chapter 9 tables. Conduit fill and box fill calculations appear throughout the wiring-methods questions.
- Practice lookup speed. With 80 questions in 4 hours you have 3 minutes each — open-book navigation is the difference.
- Simulate under exam conditions. Full-length timed runs of 80 questions build the pacing and stamina the real exam rewards.
Ready to Start?
Journeyman Practice covers the South Dakota journeyman exam with code-referenced questions across all nine subject areas, plus timed 80-question simulations in the real ICC open-book format. Start with free NEC practice questions to see the format.
FAQ
Does South Dakota have a statewide journeyman electrician license?
Yes. The South Dakota State Electrical Commission licenses journeyman electricians statewide under SDCL chapter 36-16 and ARSD 20:44:16. The license is required to perform electrical work throughout the state.
Who administers the South Dakota journeyman exam?
The exam is the ICC (International Code Council) Contractor/Trades examination number 531, "South Dakota Journeyman Electrician," delivered through the ICC/Pearson VUE testing network.
What is the format of the South Dakota journeyman exam?
The exam has 80 scored multiple-choice questions with 4 hours (240 minutes) allowed, and you need 70% to pass. It is open book with the 2023 NEC as the primary reference.
What does the South Dakota journeyman exam cover?
Per the official ICC bulletin, the 80 questions break down as: Wiring Methods and Materials 21, Branch Circuit Conductors 15, Equipment Devices 10, Services and Service Equipment 9, Special Occupancies/Equipment/Conditions 9, General Knowledge 5, Motors and Generators 5, Feeders 3, and Control Devices 3.
What experience do I need for the South Dakota journeyman license?
You must document 8,000 hours (approximately 4 years) of electrical experience or complete an approved apprenticeship program. The State Electrical Commission reviews your application before you are eligible to test.
What reference materials are allowed?
The exam is open book. The 2023 NEC (NFPA 70) is the governing reference for code questions, and standard references such as Ugly's Electrical References are permitted per the ICC bulletin. You bring your own bound references to the test center.
Is South Dakota moving to the NEC 2026?
As of the September 2026 bulletin, South Dakota still tests on the 2023 NEC. Always confirm the current edition on the State Electrical Commission page before scheduling — bulletin updates follow state code adoption.
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