---
title: "South Dakota locksmith license requirements · LockCommand"
description: "South Dakota has no locksmith license, but locksmith services are subject to sales tax, so you need a sales tax license. Sources inside."
url: https://lockcommand.com/tools/locksmith-license/south-dakota
---

[Last checked October 2026](https://lockcommand.com/tools/locksmith-license)

# South Dakota locksmith license requirements

South Dakota has no locksmith license, but locksmith services are subject to sales tax, so you need a sales tax license. Sources inside.

## The short answer

No statewide license

No statewide locksmith license. South Dakota's professions and occupations law (Title 36) never mentions locksmiths. Locksmith services are subject to sales tax, so you need a sales tax license from the Department of Revenue.

**Where to check**

[South Dakota Department of Revenue, sales and use tax](https://dor.sd.gov/businesses/taxes/sales-use-tax/)

**The law**

[SDCL 10-45-5.2 (locksmith services are taxable)](https://sdlegislature.gov/api/Statutes/10-45-5.2.html)

## What to do in South Dakota

We found no statewide locksmith license in South Dakota. That doesn't mean no rules: you still need whatever general business registration and local business license your city or county asks of any trade, and some cities and counties license locksmiths on their own. Call the city or county clerk where you're based before you open, and check again if you start working in a new county.

### Local rules

We didn't find a city or county locksmith license in South Dakota. Local rules change more often than state law, so ask your city or county clerk.

### Every state: ID and proof on every lockout

Whatever the license rules, check a photo ID and proof that the caller lives there or owns the car before you open anything, and keep a record of it. Our [lockout authorization form](https://lockcommand.com/tools/lockout-authorization-form) gives you a signed record for the file.

### Sources

- [SDCL Title 36, Professions and Occupations](https://sdlegislature.gov/api/Statutes/36.html?all=true)
- [SDCL 10-45-5.2](https://sdlegislature.gov/api/Statutes/10-45-5.2.html)
- [South Dakota Department of Revenue: sales and use tax](https://dor.sd.gov/businesses/taxes/sales-use-tax/)

Last checked October 2026. This page is a summary to help you find the right agency, not legal advice. If something here is out of date, tell us through the [contact page](https://lockcommand.com/contact).

[All 50 states and DC](https://lockcommand.com/tools/locksmith-license) · [South Carolina](https://lockcommand.com/tools/locksmith-license/south-carolina) · [Tennessee](https://lockcommand.com/tools/locksmith-license/tennessee)

## Questions

### Do I need a locksmith license in South Dakota?

No statewide locksmith license. South Dakota's professions and occupations law (Title 36) never mentions locksmiths. Locksmith services are subject to sales tax, so you need a sales tax license from the Department of Revenue.

### Are there city or county locksmith rules in South Dakota?

We didn't find a city or county locksmith license in South Dakota, but local rules change. Ask the clerk in each city or county where you work.

### Do I still need to check ID and proof of ownership?

Yes, in every state. Check a photo ID and proof that the person lives there or owns the car before you open anything, and keep a record of it.

## More for your shop

- [Locksmith license by state Which states license locksmiths, who issues the license, and local rules, with sources.](https://lockcommand.com/tools/locksmith-license)
- [Lockout authorization form Make a printable lockout authorization form in English or Spanish, with ID, proof of ownership and signature lines, with your shop's details.](https://lockcommand.com/tools/lockout-authorization-form)
- [Phone script builder Questions to ask on every kind of locksmith call, in English and Spanish, with your greeting.](https://lockcommand.com/tools/phone-script-builder)
- [Google verification checklist Step by step: Google Business Profile, Local Services Ads advanced verification and suspension appeals.](https://lockcommand.com/tools/google-verification-checklist)
- [ID & proof ID and proof of ownership photos, a customer signature and before and after photos on every job.](https://lockcommand.com/features/id-and-proof)

## Keep the paperwork on every job

LockCommand saves the customer's ID, proof of ownership photos and signature with each job, next to the invoice and the call recording.

[Create your account](https://app.lockcommand.com/sign-up?from=tool-locksmith-license) [See pricing](https://lockcommand.com/pricing)

Already have an account? [Log in](https://app.lockcommand.com/sign-in). Questions first? Email  [support@lockcommand.com](mailto:support@lockcommand.com) .