Electrician Exam Prep / South Dakota
Electrician Exam — SD
Journeyman Electrician Exam in South Dakota
Everything you need to know about getting your journeyman electrician license in South Dakota — licensing body, exam details, NEC edition, and study tips.
Exam Details
- Licensing Body
- South Dakota Electrical Commission
- Exam Provider
- PSI Exams
- Code Edition
- 2020 NEC
- Passing Score
- 70%
- Question Count
- 80
- Exam Fee
- $35
- Experience Required
- 4 years
Note: Requirements change — always verify current details with South Dakota Electrical Commission before applying.
South Dakota Electrician License — What to Know
One of the most affordable exam fees in the US. Statewide journeyman license available.
What the 2020 NEC Covers
The 2020 NEC is the foundation of the South Dakota electrician exam. Key articles you must know cold: Article 100 (Definitions), Article 210 (Branch Circuits), Article 220 (Load Calculations), Article 230 (Services), Article 240 (Overcurrent Protection), Article 250 (Grounding & Bonding), Article 310 (Conductors for General Wiring), and Chapter 9 (Tables). Calculation questions based on these articles typically make up 30–40% of the exam.
How to Prepare for the South Dakota Exam
Most successful candidates spend 60–100 hours studying over 4–8 weeks. Tab your NEC by article number so you can find answers in seconds, not minutes. Focus on voltage drop calculations (NEC 210.19 informational note), conductor ampacity tables (Table 310.12), and demand factor applications (Article 220). The Electrician Prep app includes 1,000+ NEC practice questions and a built-in voltage drop calculator — the same tools you'll use on the job.
How to Get Your Electrician License in South Dakota
- 1
Meet experience requirements
Most states require 4 years (8,000 hours) of documented apprenticeship or on-the-job experience under a licensed electrician before you can sit the journeyman exam. Keep detailed records of your hours and employer contacts.
- 2
Complete an approved apprenticeship or training program
Many states require completion of a state-approved apprenticeship program (JATC or similar). The apprenticeship typically runs 4–5 years and includes both on-the-job training and classroom instruction in the NEC and electrical theory.
- 3
Pass the journeyman electrician exam
The exam is administered by PSI Exams and covers the 2020 NEC. It is 80 questions with a 70% passing score. The exam fee is $35. Most exams are open-book (NEC codebook allowed).
- 4
Apply for your journeyman license
Submit your application to South Dakota Electrical Commission with proof of experience, exam results, and any required documentation. Processing times vary by state.
- 5
Maintain your license and advance to Master
Journeyman licenses typically renew every 1–3 years. After additional years of experience (usually 2+ as a journeyman), you can sit the master electrician exam and take on contractor work independently.