Plumber License from South Dakota to Minnesota: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry — Construction Codes and Licensing Division (CCLD) ↗
Yes — Minnesota has a reciprocity arrangement covering South Dakota license holders. Apply to the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry — Construction Codes and Licensing Division (CCLD) under its reciprocity/endorsement track; typically you skip the national exam and complete state-specific requirements only.
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Verdict
Reciprocity agreement
South Dakota is on Minnesota's reciprocity list, which puts this move on the streamlined track — on two conditions. Your South Dakota license must have been earned by examination, not grandfathered in, and be active and in good standing; where it is, Minnesota waives its journeyman exam and the requirements below are what it still insists on. Minnesota waives its journeyworker plumber exam only for applicants licensed by examination at the state level in North Dakota or South Dakota; every other out-of-state plumber must pass the Minnesota journeyworker exam.. One caution: these agreements are directional and revocable. This page's verification date is when we last confirmed South Dakota on Minnesota's list; the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry — Construction Codes and Licensing Division (CCLD) link is the live truth.
What changes, South Dakota → Minnesota
| South Dakota (current) | Minnesota (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $50 ($50 plumber license application fee (SDPC application, Rev. 02/2026); reciprocity applicants pay the same $50 and file the reciprocity documentation; a $100 exam fee applies only to applicants who must sit the examination; licenses expire December 31 (annual)) | $50–$103 ($50 reciprocity/exam application fee; journeyworker license fee ~$53 (biennial) due within 180 days of approval; master renewal ~$93.) |
| Processing time | No board-stated processing time; an incomplete application expires 30 days after receipt and all fees are non-refundable | No board-stated processing time; the license fee must be paid within 180 days of approval. |
| Licensing authority | South Dakota Plumbing Commission (Department of Labor and Regulation) | Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry — Construction Codes and Licensing Division (CCLD) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Minnesota sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Minnesota's current requirements on the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry — Construction Codes and Licensing Division (CCLD) website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the reciprocity application to the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry — Construction Codes and Licensing Division (CCLD) (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
- Hold the same or higher class of license, obtained by state-level examination, in North Dakota or South Dakota.
- Have held that qualifying license for at least one year, current and in good standing.
- The qualifying license must not have been obtained through a reciprocal agreement with a city or other political subdivision.
- Not have previously failed the same or higher class Minnesota plumber examination.
- Pay the fees ($50–$103 ($50 reciprocity/exam application fee; journeyworker license fee ~$53 (biennial) due within 180 days of approval; master renewal ~$93.)) and allow No board-stated processing time; the license fee must be paid within 180 days of approval..
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Minnesota accept a South Dakota plumbing license?
Yes — Minnesota has a reciprocity arrangement covering South Dakota license holders. Apply to the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry — Construction Codes and Licensing Division (CCLD) under its reciprocity/endorsement track; typically you skip the national exam and complete state-specific requirements only.
Which exam applies moving from South Dakota to Minnesota?
Minnesota waives its journeyworker plumber exam only for applicants licensed by examination at the state level in North Dakota or South Dakota; every other out-of-state plumber must pass the Minnesota journeyworker exam..
What does the South Dakota-to-Minnesota move cost and how long does it take?
$50–$103 ($50 reciprocity/exam application fee; journeyworker license fee ~$53 (biennial) due within 180 days of approval; master renewal ~$93.); processing No board-stated processing time; the license fee must be paid within 180 days of approval..
Can I keep my South Dakota plumbing license after I'm licensed in Minnesota?
Yes — plumbing licenses in different jurisdictions run independently. Keep the South Dakota credential active on its own renewal and continuing-education schedule and you hold both, which is common for plumbers working near a state line.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- Minnesota DLI — Plumbing reciprocity ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Minnesota DLI — Plumbing license basics (fees, license types) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- SD Plumbing Commission — Reciprocal Agreements (by-examination + substantially-equivalent-code rule) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- SD Plumbing Commission — Plumbing License Application (Plumber $50; license-by-reciprocity requires proof of license by exam, verification, and 4 hours CE), Rev. 02/2026 ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- SD Plumbing Commission — Licensing (four-year apprenticeship; annual expiry) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- SD Plumbing Commission — Exams ($100 exam/re-exam fee) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]