South Dakota requires a state-level general contractor license. The licensing authority is State Contractors Board. The median salary is $65,120 per year.
Last updated 2026-05-08
South Dakota requires a general contractor to hold a state license. Plan, coordinate, and supervise construction projects from start to finish. Hire and manage subcontractors. Licensing is administered by the State Contractors Board.
| Minimum Age | 18 years old |
| Education | High school diploma or GED |
| Work Experience | 8,000 hours (48 months) |
South Dakota requires passing the South Dakota General Contractor Exam with a minimum score of 70%. The application fee is $100.
| Exam Name | South Dakota General Contractor Exam |
| Passing Score | 70% |
| Code Edition | Business and Law Exam / Trade Exam |
| Application Fee | $100 |
Practice with real exam-style questions based on the Business and Law Exam / Trade Exam.
Start Practice Exam — $2.99 →Getting licensed as a general contractor in South Dakota takes 48 months on the typical path. Here are the steps.
The total cost includes an exam application fee of $100 and renewal fees of $100 every 2 years. Continuing education of 14 hours is required per renewal cycle.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Exam Application | $100 |
| License Renewal | $100 every 2 years |
| Continuing Education | 14 hours |
General Contractors in South Dakota earn a median salary of $65,120, which is less than the national average. Data from BLS OEWS May 2024. Once licensed, general contractors in South Dakota handle projects with real cost variation by region — see Sioux Falls remodeling pricing.
| Mean (average) | — / year |
| Entry level (10th pct) | — |
| Top earners (90th pct) | — |
| Total employed | — in South Dakota |
| National average | $80,560 |
Yes — South Dakota requires a state-level general contractor license. Plan, coordinate, and supervise construction projects from start to finish. Hire and manage subcontractors.
The required exam is the South Dakota General Contractor Exam. You need a score of 70% to pass. The exam fee is $100.
The median annual salary for general contractors in South Dakota is $65,120. The national median is $80,560.
South Dakota requires 14 hours of continuing education for license renewal every 2 years.
The fastest path takes approximately 36 months. The typical path takes 48 months including experience requirements.