South Dakota licensing laws

There is no statewide contractor license bond to file in South Dakota. South Dakota requires only a contractors' excise tax license statewide; licensing and bonds are local where they exist. Contractors still encounter surety bonds at the project level (bid, performance, and payment bonds on public and many private jobs) and through city or county contractor licensing programs that require their own bonds.

With no statewide license bond, there is nothing to renew at the state level in South Dakota. Keep any local license or permit bonds and project bonds current under their own terms.

There is no charitable solicitation registration to file in South Dakota. South Dakota does not require charities to register; paid solicitors making telephone solicitations must notify the Attorney General. Nonprofits soliciting in South Dakota still need their corporate registration (and a registered agent if formed out of state), and fundraising into other states can trigger those states' registration requirements. Professional fundraisers working South Dakota donors should confirm whether separate contractor or solicitor filings apply.

With no charitable solicitation registration, there is nothing to renew in South Dakota. Keep the organization's corporate annual report and registered agent current, and track registrations in every other state where the nonprofit solicits.

No state-level debt collection license is required in South Dakota. Check for any local or municipal registration rules. Review your obligations under the federal FDCPA.

No state license means no renewal cycle applies. Keep your practices FDCPA-compliant. Watch for any future state licensing legislation.

Apply for or renew your motor vehicle dealer license with the South Dakota Motor Vehicle Division and file a $25,000 surety bond as part of the application. The surety issues the bond form the state accepts and files it for you.

The bond runs with the motor vehicle dealer license term and renews on the same cycle (about every 1 year).

No notary bond filing applies in South Dakota. Complete the standard notary public commission process with the South Dakota Secretary of State.

No bond means no bond renewal cycle in South Dakota. Keep the underlying notary public commission current with the South Dakota Secretary of State.

The bond is posted with the city or county that approves the plat, not a state agency. The local government (the obligee) sizes the security from the project engineer's estimate of the improvements still to be built (streets, curbs, sidewalks, storm drains, water and sewer), and the developer files the executed bond with the development or subdivision improvement agreement. Many South Dakota jurisdictions reduce the required amount as phases are inspected and accepted.

The bond stays in force until the local government inspects and accepts the improvements and releases the security; it is not renewed on a fixed license cycle.

Mortgage companies generally apply through the NMLS (Nationwide Multistate Licensing System) for South Dakota mortgage licensing. Requirements include a completed MU1 form, surety bond, audited financial statements, business plan, background checks (FBI criminal and credit) for all control persons, and net worth requirements. Individual MLOs are generally required to complete pre-licensing education (20 hours minimum including 3 hours of federal law, 3 hours of ethics, 2 hours of non-traditional lending, plus South Dakota-specific hours), pass the SAFE MLO test, and submit an MU4 form through NMLS.

Mortgage licenses in South Dakota are renewed annually through NMLS. Company renewals require updated financial statements, bond confirmation, and payment of renewal fees. MLOs are generally required to complete continuing education (8 hours minimum annually, including South Dakota-specific requirements) and pay renewal fees through NMLS. The renewal period typically runs November 1 through December 31.

To obtain a money transmitter license in South Dakota, applicants generally need to submit a completed application to the South Dakota Division of Banking, provide a surety bond of $25,000-$500,000, demonstrate minimum net worth of $100,000, provide audited financial statements, implement a comprehensive BSA/AML filings program, and pass background checks for all control persons. Many states now accept applications through NMLS. The application process typically takes 3-12 months depending on the state and complexity of the applicant's business model.

Money transmitter licenses in South Dakota generally require annual renewal. Renewal typically requires submission of audited financial statements, updated surety bond, quarterly or annual transaction reports, BSA/AML filing documentation, and payment of renewal fees. Some states require call report filings on a quarterly basis throughout the year.