Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Requirements in South Dakota 2026
South Dakota licenses Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) in four roles: Certified Nurse Practitioner (CNP), Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). All applicants need an active RN license, a graduate-level nursing degree from an accredited program, and national certification in their specialty.
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The South Dakota Board of Nursing (SDBON) oversees APRN licensure in the state. Requirements vary by role, but the core path is consistent: hold an RN license, complete an accredited graduate program, pass a national certification exam, and apply to the Board. South Dakota is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), so nurses licensed in another compact state can satisfy the RN requirement without applying for a separate South Dakota RN license. Review South Dakota RN license requirements if you need to apply for RN licensure first.
Use the links below to jump to education requirements, application steps, and renewal information for each APRN role.
- Nurse Practitioner and Certified Nurse Midwife Requirements
- Clinical Nurse Specialist and Nurse Anesthetist Requirements
- Practice Authority and Prescriptive Authority
- The APRN Application Process
- Temporary Permits
- APRN License Renewal
- Contact and Additional Resources
Nurse Practitioner and Certified Nurse Midwife Requirements
Requirements for CNPs and CNMs are set out in Article 20:62 of Board Rule. Applicants must complete a graduate-level program that awards a master’s degree, post-graduate degree, or post-graduate certificate with a major in the relevant role and population focus area. The program must be accredited by a nationally recognized agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education. The Board requires a minimum of 500 supervised clinical hours completed within the program.
Accrediting agencies accepted for CNP and CNM programs include the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), the American College of Nurse Midwives Division of Accreditation, and the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health Council on Accreditation. Contact the Board if your program’s accrediting agency is not on this list.
The Board recognizes CNP practice in the following population focus areas:
- Family
- Adult
- Pediatrics
- Gerontology
- Neonatal
- Psychiatric/Mental Health
- Women’s Health
Licensure requires passing a national certification exam in your specialty. The Board accepts certification from these organizations for CNP and CNM applicants:
- American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
- American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
- American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM)
- National Certification Corporation (NCC)
- Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB)
Clinical Nurse Specialist and Nurse Anesthetist Requirements
Requirements for CNSs and CRNAs are set out in Article 20:48 of Board Rule.
A CNS applicant must complete an approved graduate program and earn a master’s degree or higher. After completing the program, the candidate pursues national certification. The Board accepts certification from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (CCNS designation), the American Nurses Credentialing Center, and the National Certification Corporation for OB/GYN and Neonatal Nursing Specialties. If you hold certification from an organization not listed in the application packet, contact the Board directly to confirm acceptability before applying.
CRNAs must graduate from a nurse anesthesia program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA). Certification is through the National Board for Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA).
Practice Authority and Prescriptive Authority
South Dakota is classified as a full practice state for nurse practitioners, but newly licensed CNPs and CNMs must complete 1,040 practice hours under a written collaborative agreement with a South Dakota physician, CNP, or CNM before practicing independently. Once those hours are completed and documented, the collaborative agreement may be retired. Check directly with the Board and review SDCL 36-9A-12 for the current statutory scope of practice, as rules can change.
Prescriptive authority is tied to South Dakota’s 1,040-hour collaborative practice requirement. During that period, the CNP or CNM must maintain a qualifying collaborative agreement that covers prescriptive practice. Prescriptive authority applicants must also have completed graduate-level coursework in advanced pharmacology, including pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacotherapeutics. CNPs and CNMs may prescribe controlled substances in schedules II through V during and after the collaborative period, consistent with their agreement and scope. After the required hours are completed and documented, the agreement may be retired. CRNAs and CNSs are not granted prescriptive authority in South Dakota.
The APRN Application Process
Applications are submitted through the Board’s Nurse Portal. There are separate application packets for each advanced practice role. The general process is similar across roles, though some specific forms differ.
Required application materials typically include:
- Official transcripts sent directly to the Board from your program’s registrar (copies are not accepted); the transcript must show the degree awarded and date conferred
- An Education Verification Form completed by your program
- Primary source verification of national certification from the certifying organization
- A copy of your current RN license if licensed in another NLC compact state
- Fingerprint-based criminal background check using Board-issued cards (request a fingerprinting packet from the Board by phone or email)
- Explanations and supporting documentation if you answer yes to any potentially disqualifying questions
CNP and CNM applicants must also submit additional paperwork signed by collaborating or supervising physicians where required for prescriptive authority. The application fee is currently $100 for all advanced practice categories, though fees are subject to change. Verify the current fee and estimated processing time with the Board before submitting.
Temporary Permits
New graduates and endorsement applicants may request a temporary permit while awaiting examination results or while the full licensure application is processed. A new graduate must be scheduled to test promptly after graduation to qualify. The Board requires confirmation from the certifying organization before issuing a permit.
For endorsement applicants, the temporary permit application requires a copy of your current state license and your qualifying national certification. Fingerprints must be received by the Board before a temporary permit can be issued. The temporary permit fee is $25.
APRN License Renewal
South Dakota APRN licenses renew on a biennial cycle. At renewal, you must provide evidence of current national certification in your specialty. There are no separate continuing education (CE) hour requirements for APRN renewal at this time, beyond maintaining active national certification. Confirm current renewal requirements with the Board before your renewal date, as the Board may update requirements.
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Contact and Additional Resources
The South Dakota Board of Nursing handles all APRN licensure inquiries. The Board can be reached at (605) 362-2760 or through the contact information on its website at sdbon.org. Application forms and the Nurse Portal are available through the Board’s site.
The Nurse Practitioner Association of South Dakota (npasd.org) is an additional professional resource for CNPs practicing in the state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does South Dakota require a physician collaboration agreement for nurse practitioners?
South Dakota is classified as a full practice state, but newly licensed CNPs and CNMs must complete 1,040 practice hours under a written collaborative agreement with a South Dakota physician, CNP, or CNM before practicing independently. Prescriptive authority is also tied to this collaborative period. After the required hours are completed and documented, the agreement may be retired. Confirm current requirements with the South Dakota Board of Nursing, as scope of practice rules can change.
Can I use an RN license from another state to apply for APRN licensure in South Dakota?
Yes, if you hold an active RN license in another Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state, that license satisfies the RN requirement for South Dakota APRN licensure. You do not need to apply for a separate South Dakota RN license. Nurses licensed in non-compact states must apply for RN licensure by endorsement before pursuing APRN licensure.
What national certification exams does South Dakota accept for nurse practitioners?
The Board accepts certification from the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM), the National Certification Corporation (NCC), and the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB). Check the current application packet or contact the Board if your certifying organization is not on this list.
Are there continuing education requirements for APRN license renewal in South Dakota?
South Dakota does not have separate CE hour requirements for APRN renewal at this time. Renewal is based on maintaining active national certification in your specialty. Licenses renew on a biennial cycle. Verify current renewal requirements with the Board before your renewal date, as requirements can change.
How long does APRN licensure take in South Dakota?
Processing time varies. The Board may provide an estimated timeline when you submit your application. A temporary permit is available while your application is pending, provided you meet eligibility requirements. Contact the Board for current information on processing times.
Key Takeaways
- Four APRN roles recognized — South Dakota licenses CNPs, CNMs, CNSs, and CRNAs through the South Dakota Board of Nursing.
- Graduate degree and national certification required — All APRN roles require a master’s-level or higher degree from an accredited program and passing a Board-accepted national certification exam.
- NLC compact applies at the RN level — An active RN license from any NLC compact state satisfies the RN requirement for APRN licensure in South Dakota.
- Full practice state with a transition period — CNPs and CNMs must complete 1,040 practice hours under a written collaborative agreement before practicing independently. Prescriptive authority is tied to this requirement.
- Biennial renewal, no separate CE requirement — APRN licenses renew every two years based on maintained national certification, with no additional CE hours required.
Find accredited NP and APRN programs, application resources, and state-specific licensing information for your role and specialty.