
To become a licensed journeyman electrician in South Dakota, you must pass the Journeyman Electrician Examination. The exam is challenging and usually requires at least a month of preparation to pass. It consists of 80 multiple-choice questions, and test-takers have 4 hours to complete it. To be eligible to take the exam, you must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, and have completed 4 years (8,000 hours) of apprenticeship under the supervision of a licensed electrical contractor. The exam is based on the National Electrical Code (NEC), which is a large and complex publication with over 800 pages of code. While the exam is open-book, it can be challenging to locate the correct articles and answers within the time limit without thorough preparation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of questions | 80 |
| Type of questions | Multiple-choice |
| Time allowed | 4 hours |
| Open-book | Yes |
| Computer-based | Yes |
| Preparation time | A month or more |
| Experience required | 4 years or 8,000 hours |
| Minimum age | 18 years |
| Educational qualification | High school diploma or GED |
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What You'll Learn

Electrician licensing exam preparation courses
Preparing for the South Dakota journeyman electrical exam can be challenging due to the large volume of content and complexity of the material. The exam is based on the 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC), an extensive publication with over 800 pages of code. To succeed, you'll need to be adept at navigating the code and locating specific information efficiently.
Preparation Courses:
- Thompson Learning: They offer a course specifically designed to help you pass the South Dakota Electrical Contractor, Journeyman Electrician, and Class B Residential Electrical License Exam. The course focuses on familiarizing you with the structure of the 2023 NEC, enabling you to locate correct answers efficiently during the exam. They provide extensive knowledge of the code and cover each subject appearing on the exam.
- Mike Holt Enterprises: With over 50 years of experience, Mike Holt Enterprises offers electrical exam preparation courses to help you pass your state or local exam on the first try. Their programs aim to provide you with the knowledge and confidence needed for the journeyman exam. They also offer the "Ultimate Library," a valuable resource for electricians to learn about the NEC and related topics.
- Electrical Exam Seminars: These seminars have a comprehensive preparation approach, covering electrical theory, code, and calculations. Their instructors assess your needs and provide live, 1-on-1 preparation for any specific electrical exam in the United States. They boast an impressive 95% first-time passing ratio nationwide and offer free repeat seminars until you pass.
- Contractor Training Center: The Contractor Training Center offers exam prep courses and practice tests for the ICC National Standard Electrician Certification. They provide a No-Pass, No-Pay Guarantee for their courses.
General Preparation Tips:
- Obtain the 2023 NEC Codebook: Purchase a copy of the 2023 NEC codebook, which is the basis for the South Dakota journeyman electrical exam. Familiarize yourself with its structure and consider using index tabs to navigate it quickly.
- Practice Exams: Solve practice exams to simulate real exam conditions and help you identify areas that require further study.
- Time Management: The South Dakota journeyman electrical exam consists of 80 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 4 hours. Practice managing your time effectively to ensure you can attempt all questions.
- Authorized Materials: The exam is open-book, but only authorized materials are allowed. Ensure you are familiar with the permitted resources and can navigate them efficiently during the exam.
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South Dakota electrician apprenticeship
Electricians are in high demand in South Dakota, with a projected job growth rate of 17% from 2023 to 2023—twice the national rate. The path to becoming a licensed electrician in the state begins with an apprenticeship, which can be pursued through various programs.
Apprenticeship Programs
The Dakotas Electrical Apprenticeship program is one popular option, offering comprehensive training in essential topics such as telecommunications wiring, fiber optics, fire alarms, and the National Electrical Code. With an impressive completion rate of over 85%, this program prepares apprentices for successful careers as highly skilled electrical workers. The program is available in Rapid City and Sioux Falls through the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA).
For those seeking a non-union apprenticeship, Independent Electrical Contractors Dakotas offers a program in Pierre. Additionally, the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation provides apprenticeship opportunities through Muth Electric, Inc. in Mitchell, a well-established electrical contracting company. Technical colleges in South Dakota also offer 2-year associate degree programs in applied science electrical trades, which can lead to entry-level apprenticeship positions.
Apprenticeship Requirements
To qualify for an apprenticeship program in South Dakota, individuals must typically be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, possess a valid driver's license, and pass an aptitude test. Apprenticeships generally require a minimum of four years and 8,000 hours of on-the-job training under the supervision of an electrical contractor. During this time, apprentices assist journeyman electricians and electrical contractors with the maintenance, modification, and installation of electrical systems.
Journeyman Licensing
After completing an apprenticeship, individuals can apply to become a licensed journeyman electrician in South Dakota. This requires passing the journeyman licensing exam and paying the associated fees. To advance further, electricians can gain experience in residential or farmstead wiring and pursue a Class B Electrician status or explore commercial or industrial wiring for an electrical contractor or inspector license.
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Electrician exam structure and question types
The South Dakota Journeyman Electrician exam is considered challenging and usually requires a month or more of preparation to pass. It consists of 80 multiple-choice questions, and test takers have 4 hours to complete it. The exam is open-book with authorised materials and is computer-based.
To take the exam, you must meet the requirements for the license you have chosen. You will need to fill out and submit the Application for an Electrician's License to the South Dakota Electrical Commission to be approved to take the exam. Once your application is approved, you will have 90 days to make arrangements to take the test.
The exam questions are selected randomly from a database of thousands of potential questions. The questions are based on the 2023 National Electric Code (NEC) codebook, which contains over 800 pages of code. It is challenging to locate each correct article and answer in the time allowed during the exam without thorough preparation.
The exam preparation courses teach students to locate specific codes within the NEC. Students learn to navigate the code and quickly break down exam questions by keyword to find the answers in the codebook.
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Electrician license types in South Dakota
The South Dakota Electrical Commission requires anyone doing electrical work in the state to have an electrical license. There are several types of electrician licenses in South Dakota, each with its own requirements and qualifications. Here is a detailed overview of the electrician license types and the process to obtain them:
Apprentice Electrician License
To begin your career as an electrician in South Dakota, you must first complete an application to become an apprentice electrician. This involves enrolling in an apprenticeship program, which can be union or non-union-based. Most apprenticeship programs require individuals to be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, possess a valid driver's license, and pass an aptitude test. These programs offer on-the-job training, electrical courses, and a salary. After completing four years (8,000 hours) as an apprentice under the supervision of a licensed electrical contractor, you become eligible to take the journeyman electrician exam.
Journeyman Electrician License
To obtain a journeyman electrician license in South Dakota, you must meet the experience requirements and pass the journeyman exam. The experience requirement can be fulfilled through two pathways: four years (8,000 hours) of full-time electrical trade experience or a combination of a two-year associate degree in electrical trades and three years (6,000 hours) of electrical trade work experience. The journeyman exam is a challenging test, often requiring a month or more of preparation. It consists of 80 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 4 hours. After obtaining your journeyman license, you must maintain it for at least two years before becoming eligible for an electrical contractor license.
Electrical Contractor License
To earn an electrical contractor license in South Dakota, you must have held a journeyman electrician license for at least two years. Additionally, you need to accumulate another 4,000 hours of work experience as a journeyman, including a minimum of 2,000 hours of commercial work. The electrical contractor exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 5 hours. Along with the exam, there are application and licensing fees, as well as insurance and bond requirements. Electrical contractors must renew their licenses every two years and complete continuing education hours.
Class B Electrician License
South Dakota also offers a Class B Electrician License, which has its own specific requirements and examinations. The Class B Electrician exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 3 hours. While the specific requirements for this license category were not explicitly mentioned, it is safe to assume that it involves a similar process of experience, examination, and licensure as the other electrician licenses in South Dakota.
It is important to note that the South Dakota Electrical Commission provides detailed information on licensing requirements, examinations, and renewal processes. Additionally, there are various resources and courses available to help individuals prepare for the challenging electrical licensing exams in South Dakota.
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South Dakota Electrical Commission requirements
The South Dakota Electrical Commission works to enforce state laws and regulations concerning electrical wiring, inspect wiring installations, investigate complaints, and license all electricians within the state. The Commission requires that anyone engaged in the electrical contracting business or performing work as an electrical contractor must be licensed by the South Dakota Department of Labor & Regulation board.
To become a licensed electrician in South Dakota, one must pass the South Dakota Electrical Contractor, Journeyman Electrician, and Class B Residential Electrical License Exam. The exam is based on the 2023 National Electric Code (NEC), which is challenging to locate each correct article and answer without thorough preparation. The NEC is a large and complex publication with over 800 pages of code. It is the standard for safe electrical design, installation, and inspection to protect people and property from electrical hazards.
The Journeyman Electrician exam consists of 80 multiple-choice questions, and test-takers have 4 hours to complete it. It is an open-book, computer-based exam. To be eligible for the exam, one must complete four years (8,000 hours) as an apprentice working under the employment and supervision of an electrical contractor.
After passing the journeyman exam, it takes another two years (4,000 hours) as a journeyman, including a minimum of 2,000 hours of commercial work, to be eligible for the electrical contractor's exam. The electrical contractor exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions, and test-takers have 5 hours to complete it. Like the journeyman exam, it is also open-book and computer-based.
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Frequently asked questions
The electrical licensing exam is considered challenging and usually requires a month or more of preparation to pass. The exam is based on the 2023 NEC, a large and complex publication containing over 800 pages of code.
To take the exam, you must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, and have completed four years (8,000 hours) as an apprentice working under an electrical contractor. You must also submit an application and pay the required fees.
The exam consists of 80 multiple-choice questions, and test-takers have 4 hours to complete it. It is an open-book, computer-based exam, and authorized materials are allowed.




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