--- title: "South Dakota home inspector license | InspectDay" description: "Who issues South Dakota's home inspector license, the steps from registration to a licensed home inspector, the examination, and how the license renews." --- 1. [Home](/) 2. [Becoming a home inspector](/become-a-home-inspector/) 3. [Home inspector license by state](/home-inspector-license/) 4. South Dakota home inspector license License # South Dakota home inspector license The South Dakota Real Estate Commission registers home inspectors first, and licenses them after a year of registration and 100 paid inspections. South Dakota's license law and commission pages, checked on October 9, 2026 [For new inspectors](/for-new-inspectors/)
Who licenses
The South Dakota Real Estate Commission, within the Department of Labor and Regulation.
Registered home inspector
Complete a 40-hour pre-licensing course, pass the home inspector examination, then apply.
Licensed home inspector
At least one year as a registered home inspector, and at least 100 home inspections for compensation, recorded in an experience log submitted to the commission.
Examination
The South Dakota home inspector examination, scheduled through PSI, has 190 multiple-choice questions, about 90 percent from the pre-licensing education and 10 percent from the South Dakota Home Inspection License Law Manual. A candidate who does not pass waits 30 days between attempts.
Licensed in another state
The commission may license anyone holding a valid license from another state, a U.S. possession or the District of Columbia whose standards it finds substantially equivalent to South Dakota's. Submit a certificate of licensure from that state's licensing agency, completed within the 30 days before you apply, stating that your license is in good standing and that no complaint is pending.
Renewal
Every two years. Renewal and the fee are due by 5:00 p.m. on November 30 of the expiry year, and late fees apply after November 30. No reinstatement is allowed after June 30 of the expiry year.
Continuing education
24 hours of approved continuing education by December 31 of the expiry year, or the license becomes inactive.
## Sources - [South Dakota Real Estate Commission, “How to Become a Home Inspector”](https://dlr.sd.gov/realestate/home_inspector_how_to_become.aspx) - [South Dakota Real Estate Commission, “Home Inspection Study Guide”](https://dlr.sd.gov/realestate/home_inspection_study_guide.aspx) - [South Dakota Real Estate Commission, “Home Inspection Renewal Information”](https://dlr.sd.gov/realestate/home_inspection_renewal_information.aspx) - [South Dakota Legislative Research Council, “Codified Law 36-21C-8 - Issuing of license to persons licensed elsewhere”](https://sdlegislature.gov/api/Statutes/36-21C-8.html) - [South Dakota Administrative Rules, “20:74:02:12”](https://sdlegislature.gov/api/Rules/20:74:02:12.html) ## New to inspecting? Try the Free plan. [For new inspectors](/for-new-inspectors/)