Plumber License from Texas to South Dakota: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: South Dakota Plumbing Commission (Department of Labor and Regulation) ↗
A plumbing license transfers from Texas to South Dakota by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the South Dakota Plumbing Commission (Department of Labor and Regulation), verify your Texas license, and meet South Dakota's endorsement requirements. South Dakota waives its plumber examination for a nonresident who was licensed BY EXAMINATION in another state whose licensure laws are substantially equivalent to South Dakota's and whose plumbing code equals or exceeds the South Dakota plumbing code; the Commission names no fixed partner states and decides comparability case by case, so applicants from non-comparable states, or those licensed by waiver rather than examination, must pass the South Dakota journeyman plumber examination.
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Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
Texas is not among the states South Dakota names for an automatic exam waiver, so this move runs on the South Dakota Plumbing Commission (Department of Labor and Regulation)'s individual endorsement or equivalency review rather than a guarantee. South Dakota waives its plumber examination for a nonresident who was licensed BY EXAMINATION in another state whose licensure laws are substantially equivalent to South Dakota's and whose plumbing code equals or exceeds the South Dakota plumbing code; the Commission names no fixed partner states and decides comparability case by case, so applicants from non-comparable states, or those licensed by waiver rather than examination, must pass the South Dakota journeyman plumber examination. Bring your Texas license, proof that it is active and in good standing, and your apprenticeship and exam records — and get any discretionary exam or experience credit in writing before you rely on it.
What changes, Texas → South Dakota
| Texas (current) | South Dakota (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $40 ($40 non-refundable out-of-state journeyman examination processing fee to TSBPE ($25 for master); a separate computer-based test fee is payable to Pearson VUE on approval, plus IdentoGO fingerprint costs and the license issuance fee once passed; Louisiana/Arkansas applicants use the Reciprocal License Verification pathway) | $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)) |
| Processing time | 4–6 weeks (TSBPE states typical processing of 30-45 days for straightforward applications; longer with criminal history or unclear immigration status) | No board-stated processing time; an incomplete application expires 30 days after receipt and all fees are non-refundable |
| Licensing authority | Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) | South Dakota Plumbing Commission (Department of Labor and Regulation) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — South Dakota sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm South Dakota's current requirements on the South Dakota Plumbing Commission (Department of Labor and Regulation) website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the South Dakota Plumbing Commission (Department of Labor and Regulation) (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- Complete four years of experience as an apprentice plumber (at least 1,900 hours per year); military plumbing service credited one year per two years served, up to five years.
- For reciprocity, provide proof the out-of-state license was earned by examination, an official license verification, and proof of four hours of continuing education.
- Applicants who must test pass the South Dakota plumber/journeyman examination.
- Pay the fees ($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))) and allow No board-stated processing time; an incomplete application expires 30 days after receipt and all fees are non-refundable.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does South Dakota accept a Texas plumbing license?
A plumbing license transfers from Texas to South Dakota by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the South Dakota Plumbing Commission (Department of Labor and Regulation), verify your Texas license, and meet South Dakota's endorsement requirements. South Dakota waives its plumber examination for a nonresident who was licensed BY EXAMINATION in another state whose licensure laws are substantially equivalent to South Dakota's and whose plumbing code equals or exceeds the South Dakota plumbing code; the Commission names no fixed partner states and decides comparability case by case, so applicants from non-comparable states, or those licensed by waiver rather than examination, must pass the South Dakota journeyman plumber examination.
Which exam applies moving from Texas to South Dakota?
South Dakota waives its plumber examination for a nonresident who was licensed BY EXAMINATION in another state whose licensure laws are substantially equivalent to South Dakota's and whose plumbing code equals or exceeds the South Dakota plumbing code; the Commission names no fixed partner states and decides comparability case by case, so applicants from non-comparable states, or those licensed by waiver rather than examination, must pass the South Dakota journeyman plumber examination.
What does the Texas-to-South Dakota move cost and how long does it take?
$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)); processing No board-stated processing time; an incomplete application expires 30 days after receipt and all fees are non-refundable.
Can I keep my Texas plumbing license after I'm licensed in South Dakota?
Yes — plumbing licenses in different jurisdictions run independently. Keep the Texas 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.
- 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)
- TSBPE — Out-of-State Examination Application (LA/AR reciprocity banner; 2-year license; $40 journeyman fee; fingerprints; written + practical exam), Rev. March 2026 ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- TSBPE — License Types (Tradesman, Journeyman, Master Plumber) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- TSBPE — Printable Forms (Reciprocal License Verification, Louisiana and Arkansas only) ↗ (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]