Locksmith / South Dakota
2026 data South Dakota board official source

South Dakota Locksmith License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

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Installs, repairs, and opens locks. Licensed in ~15 states.

What the South Dakota data shows for Locksmiths

South Dakota's path to locksmith licensure runs through board-approved instruction and a passing score on a state-approved exam. South Dakota folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Experience/Apprenticeship".

Budget $150 to get started on a 2-year cycle. Continuing education is not a listed requirement for this profession in South Dakota, so the annualized maintenance burden is lower than in states that mandate ongoing hours.

South Dakota handles out-of-state credentials on a case-by-case basis instead of a standing reciprocity list.

Licensing Ease Score

C+
Licensing Ease Score
62/100
Locksmith · South Dakota

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training A+
None required
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$150
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden N/A
N/A
Renewal fee annualized over the renewal cycle
Continuing Education N/A
N/A
Continuing-education hours annualized over the renewal cycle
Experience Required N/A
N/A
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in South Dakota

Education / Training Hours
Experience/Apprenticeship
Not specified
Exam Requirement
Required
Initial License Fee
$150
Renewal Fee
N/A
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Not Required

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Locksmith All South Dakota licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with South Dakota licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Locksmith in South Dakota? ▼
South Dakota requires, passing an exam, and an initial fee of $150.
How do I get certified as a Locksmith in South Dakota? ▼
To become a licensed locksmith in South Dakota, you must meet the state's requirements. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the South Dakota licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Locksmith license to South Dakota from another state? ▼
South Dakota evaluates out-of-state locksmith licenses on a case-by-case basis. Many professions are covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability. Contact the South Dakota licensing board for specific reciprocity details.
Does South Dakota require a background check for Locksmith licensing? ▼
No statewide background-check mandate applies to locksmith licensing in South Dakota at this time - individual employers may still run their own screening.

Related Guides

What to do with this locksmith license

Locksmith in South Dakota is one requirement row in a locksmith-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how South Dakota's locksmith requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Locksmith in every state
  • Read the general portability rules before moving an existing license to a new state. Transfer guide
  • See how South Dakota's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. South Dakota overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the South Dakota licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.