South Dakota Electrical Contractor (ICC 530, 2023 NEC) Exam Prep Checklist
Everything for the South Dakota Electrical Contractor (ICC 530, 2023 NEC) exam in one place: the bulletin's key facts, the topics and how many questions each carries, the reference books, sample questions with answers, and a prep checklist. Pearson VUE gives the exam.
South Dakota Electrical Contractor (ICC 530, 2023 NEC) Exam Facts
From the official bulletin:
| Questions | 100 questions |
| Time limit | 5 hours |
| Passing score | a minimum score of 70 |
| Books in the exam room | Open book |
| Exam fee | $115 |
On exam day
- Questions are four-option multiple choice with one correct answer.
- In addition to the NEC, candidates may use Ferm's Fast Finder Index, Ugly's Electrical Reference (any edition), the NFPA National Electrical Code Handbook and Tom Henry's Key Word Index during the exam.
References you may bring
- NFPA 70: National Electrical Code (2023)
- Ugly's Electrical References (any edition)
- Ferm's Fast Finder Index
- National Electrical Code Handbook
- Tom Henry's Key Word Index
Scheduling, changes and retakes
- Examinations are scheduled through PearsonVUE at www.pearsonvue.com/ICC.
- You must be approved by the South Dakota Electrical Commission before scheduling, and once approved you have 90 days in which to test or you must reapply and pay the $60 fee again.
- Results for exams taken electronically are available immediately after you finish the exam.
- A failed exam may be retaken after 30 days, and after a second failure there is a 90-day wait before each later attempt.
- After passing, contact the jurisdiction for any other requirements needed to become licensed.
Source: South Dakota Contractor/Trades Examination Information Bulletin, PUBLISHED August 19, 2025. Check the bulletin before test day: fees and rules can change.
South Dakota Electrical Contractor (ICC 530, 2023 NEC) Exam Topics
The official content outline has 9 topics:
| Topic | Questions | Share of the exam |
|---|---|---|
| General Knowledge and Plan Reading | 12 | 12% |
| Services and Service Equipment | 16 | 16% |
| Feeders | 4 | 4% |
| Branch Circuits and Conductors | 16 | 16% |
| Wiring Methods and Materials | 19 | 19% |
| Equipment and Devices | 10 | 10% |
| Control Devices | 3 | 3% |
| Motors and Generators | 8 | 8% |
| Special Occupancies, Equipment and Conditions | 12 | 12% |
Services and Service Equipment: Services and Fault Current; Service Load Calculations; Service Equipment & Service Conductors; Transformers; System Grounding and Bonding; Temporary Service Wiring; Overhead and underground service conductor requirements and clearances; Service disconnecting means requirements and ratings.
Wiring Methods and Materials: Raceway Installations; Underground Wiring Methods; Boxes and Enclosures; Cabinets, Panelboards, & Switchboards; Clearance and Guarding; Flexible Cords and Cables; Cable Wiring Methods (NM, MC, AC, MI, SE, UF, TC, ITC, FC, FCC, IGS, Type P); Conductor Fill and Conduit Sizing Calculations.
Special Occupancies, Equipment and Conditions: Special Occupancies; Swimming Pools and Similar Installations; Mobile Home and RV Parks; Data Processing Equipment; Miscellaneous Special Equipment; Emergency Systems; Signaling and Fire Alarm Systems; Hazardous Location Classification (Classes, Divisions, and Zones).
South Dakota Electrical Contractor (ICC 530, 2023 NEC) Exam Prep Checklist
- Get the reference books the bulletin lists, in the editions it names.
- Learn each book's table of contents and index first.
- Highlight the sections you use most. The exam facts above list the bulletin's rules on tabs and markings, so follow them exactly.
- Take our timed practice exams until you pass several in a row.
- After each attempt, look up every question you missed in your book.
- Practice at the real exam's pace: about 3 minutes per question.
South Dakota Electrical Contractor (ICC 530, 2023 NEC) Exam Reference Books
The exam table lists NFPA 70: National Electrical Code, 2023 and Ugly's Electrical References (any edition), and page 4 states that in addition to the NEC candidates may also use Ferm's Fast Finder Index (IAEI), the National Electrical Code Handbook (NFPA, hardcover allowed) and Tom Henry's Key Word Index during the exam.
Where to get them:
Test Day Checklist
- First pass: answer every question you know. Bookmark the rest. Every exam lets you return to bookmarked questions (some lock them once you take a break).
- Second pass: work through your bookmarks.
- Pace: 5 hours for 100 questions, which is about 3 minutes per question.
- Last step: answer anything still blank. A blank can't earn a point.
Study Tips
Be alert to hedging words like likely, may, can, sometimes, usually, generally, and rarely—question writers use them to account for exceptions. An answer choice is often wrong simply because it allows no exceptions. Similarly, avoid choices containing absolute terms like exactly and always.
A little anxiety before an exam is completely normal — acknowledge it instead of fighting it. If you feel yourself spiraling on a question, pause and take a few slow breaths to reset. If your test center allows a short break, use it; just remember the clock usually keeps running.
Every exam you take will be different from the last. New questions, new order, but always based on the exam bulletin in terms of topics, questions and time.
South Dakota Electrical Contractor (ICC 530, 2023 NEC) Sample Questions
From our practice question bank, with answers and references:
Sample 1 — General Knowledge and Plan Reading
Question: When a conductor with a 90°C insulation rating (such as THHN) is terminated on equipment rated for 75°C, which ampacity column must be used to determine the final ampacity of the conductor?
- A. The average of the 75°C and 90°C column values
- B. The 60°C column, since residential equipment defaults to that rating
- C. The 90°C column, since that is the conductor's insulation rating
- D. The 75°C column, matching the equipment termination temperature rating
Correct Answer: D
Per NEC 110.14(C), the ampacity of a conductor must be selected based on the lowest temperature rating of any connected termination, conductor, or device. When a 90°C conductor is connected to a 75°C terminal, its ampacity is limited to the 75°C column value. However, when applying correction or adjustment factors, the 90°C ampacity may be used as the starting point, provided the final derated value does not exceed the 75°C ampacity.
Reference: NEC 2023 Section 110.14(C)
Sample 2 — Special Occupancies, Equipment and Conditions
Question: What is the maximum overall length permitted for a mobile home power-supply cord?
- A. 9.0 m (30 ft)
- B. 10.0 m (33 ft)
- C. 12.0 m (39 ft)
- D. 11.0 m (36½ ft)
Correct Answer: D
Per NEC 550.10(D), the overall length of a mobile home power-supply cord, measured from the end of the cord, including bared leads, to the face of the attachment plug cap, shall not exceed 11.0 m (36½ ft). This ensures proper cord management and reduces voltage drop and safety hazards.
Reference: NEC 2023 Section 550.10(D)
Sample 3 — Equipment and Devices
Question: For receptacles installed in wet locations, what type must all 15- and 20-ampere, 125- and 250-volt nonlocking receptacles be?
- A. GFCI protected only
- B. Weather-resistant type
- C. Both GFCI protected and weather-resistant type
- D. Standard residential grade
Correct Answer: B
According to NEC 406.9(B)(1), all 15- and 20-ampere, 125- and 250-volt nonlocking-type receptacles installed in wet locations shall be a listed weather-resistant type. While GFCI protection may additionally be required by other NEC sections depending on the specific location, 406.9(B)(1) specifically mandates the weather-resistant type requirement for receptacles in wet locations.
Reference: NEC 2023 Section 406.9(B)(1)
Sample 4 — Motors and Generators
Question: When selecting a protective device for a 15 HP, 460V, three-phase motor with a full-load current (FLC) of 21A, which of the following is the correct maximum rating for a time-delay fuse according to NEC guidelines?
- A. 30A
- B. 40A
- C. 50A
- D. 60A
Correct Answer: B
The maximum rating for a time-delay fuse is 175% of the motor's FLC. For a 21A FLC, 175% is 36.75A, rounded up to the next standard size, which is 40A. NEC, Article 430.52(C), Table 430.52
Reference: NEC 2023 Table 430.52(C)(1)
Online Practice vs. a PDF
- Timed: you practice finding answers under time pressure, not just reading them.
- Bookmarks: flag questions and come back, the way you will on test day.
- New sets: each attempt draws new questions from our bank.
- Scored by topic: your results show which outline topics need more study.
Next Step
- Take the free South Dakota Electrical Contractor (ICC 530, 2023 NEC) practice exam.
- Study the topics where you scored lowest.
- Read the exam bulletin for the official rules, and see the licensing board's website.