South Dakota Nursing License Requirements 2026
The South Dakota Board of Nursing licenses both RNs and LPNs. All applicants must complete a board-approved nursing program and pass the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN. South Dakota is a Nurse Licensure Compact state, meaning a multistate license issued here is valid for practice in other NLC member states.
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The South Dakota Board of Nursing handles all RN and LPN licensing in the state, from first-time applicants to out-of-state endorsement candidates. This page covers requirements for each license type, the application and examination process, and license renewal. For CNA requirements, see the South Dakota nursing aide page. For APRN licensing, see South Dakota nurse practitioner requirements.
Use the links below to jump to requirements for each license type and related information.
- South Dakota Nurse Licensure Compact
- LPN license requirements and application
- RN license requirements and application
- License renewal
- Scholarships for South Dakota nurses
South Dakota Nurse Licensure Compact
South Dakota is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). A multistate RN or LPN license issued by the South Dakota Board lets you practice in other NLC member states, including through electronic or remote means, without obtaining a separate license in each state. Three of South Dakota’s border states are also compact members: North Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska.
Compact privilege applies only when South Dakota is your primary state of residence. If you relocate to another compact state, that state becomes your primary state of licensure, and you’ll need to apply there.
LPN Requirements in South Dakota
Education
To qualify for a South Dakota LPN license, you’ll need to complete a state-approved practical nursing program. The Board also licenses LPNs by equivalency for candidates who completed coursework outside an approved program, but this route isn’t accepted in all other states, so check any state where you plan to practice before pursuing it. Equivalency candidates must submit transcripts documenting theory and clinical work in adult nursing, geriatric nursing, and maternal-child nursing, with at least 570 clinical hours on record. Lab work may not make up more than 20% of that total. You’ll also need to complete a self-study packet from the Board covering the role of South Dakota LPNs and return it with a score of at least 85%. Contact the Board directly to confirm the equivalency pathway is still available and to verify current requirements before beginning this process, as it is a specialized route that may be revised. For more on the LPN scope of practice and career outlook in South Dakota, see our South Dakota LPN page.
Applying for Licensure
LPN applications are available through the South Dakota Board of Nursing. The process involves three separate fees paid to three separate organizations: a $100 application fee to the Board, a $200 examination fee paid directly to Pearson VUE at nclex.com/, and a $43.25 fingerprint processing fee payable to the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation. Request fingerprinting materials from the Board before submitting your cards. Fee amounts are subject to change — confirm current figures at sdbon.org before applying.
Graduates of a traditional LPN program can apply for a temporary permit to work while waiting for NCLEX-PN results. The permit costs $25 and is tied to a specific healthcare facility. You’ll need to work under the on-site supervision of an RN. The temporary permit doesn’t carry NLC multistate privileges. To receive the permit, your application, fingerprint cards, and education verification must already be on file with the Board. Temporary permit eligibility requirements and facility restrictions are administrative policies that can change — verify current requirements with the Board before relying on this status.
Once the Board approves your application, you’ll receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) from Pearson VUE. You have 90 days from the ATT issue date to schedule your exam. Scores typically arrive about 10 days after testing. A failed attempt requires a retake application and a $100 fee. The Board provides diagnostic information to help you prepare for the next sitting. Confirm the current retake fee with the Board before reapplying.
LPN by Endorsement
If you hold a current LPN license in another state, you can apply to the South Dakota Board by endorsement. You’ll need official license verification from your original state of licensure and official transcripts. A temporary permit is available with a photocopy of a current license, but fingerprint cards must be submitted before the permit is issued. Call (605) 362-2760 or use the contact information in the application packet to request fingerprinting materials. The application fee is $100, or $125 if you need a temporary permit to begin working while the endorsement processes.
RN License Requirements in South Dakota
Education
RN applicants must complete a state-approved professional nursing program. South Dakota accepts diploma, associate degree (ADN), and baccalaureate (BSN) programs. The Board maintains a list of approved programs, and the program director certifies education for in-state graduates. If you’re still selecting a program, see RN programs in South Dakota for options currently accepting applicants.
Applying for Licensure
After graduation, you’ll apply to the South Dakota Board and register with Pearson VUE to take the NCLEX-RN. The Board application costs $100. NCLEX-RN registration costs an additional $200 paid directly to Pearson VUE. Out-of-state graduates must have official transcripts sent directly to the Board. All candidates undergo a criminal background check. Confirm current fee amounts at sdbon.org before applying, as fees are subject to change.
For an additional $25, you can apply for a temporary permit to work under the direct supervision of an RN while waiting to take the NCLEX-RN. The permit is facility-specific and doesn’t cover practice elsewhere. Fingerprint cards must be on file before the permit is issued. Opting for email communication speeds up ATT delivery. Once you receive the ATT, you have 90 days to schedule your exam. Scores and, if you pass, your license arrive approximately 10 days after testing. A failed NCLEX-RN means losing temporary permit eligibility. You’ll need to submit a retake application before you can test again. Verify current temporary permit requirements and eligibility rules with the Board before applying for this status.
RN by Endorsement
Out-of-state RNs apply to the South Dakota Board by endorsement. You’ll need transcripts, official license verification from your original state, and employment documentation: at least 480 hours of nursing practice during the preceding six years, or 140 hours during any 12-month period within those six years. Nurses who don’t meet the hours requirement will need to complete a Board-approved refresher course before the endorsement can proceed. Contact the Board for a list of approved courses. Request fingerprint cards by calling (605) 362-2760 or through the Board website. A temporary permit is available with a photocopy of your current license, but fingerprinting must be completed first.
International Nurses
Nurses who completed their education in an English-language Canadian program may apply in a process similar to U.S.-educated graduates applying by exam, provided they hold a U.S. Social Security number. If you’ve been out of school more than six years, employment verification applies: 480 hours over the preceding six years, or 140 hours in any single 12-month period within that window.
Nurses educated outside Canada or the United States must obtain Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) certification before the South Dakota Board will grant NCLEX permission. International nurses are eligible for a temporary permit pending examination.
License Renewal in South Dakota
South Dakota RN and LPN licenses renew on a two-year cycle. The renewal fee is $115 for both license types. Renewal is completed online through the South Dakota Board of Nursing. You’ll need your Social Security number and nursing license number to begin. An incomplete application stays active for 12 months. After that point, it’s discarded, and you must reapply and pay the application fee.
South Dakota doesn’t require continuing education hours for renewal. Instead, the Board requires employment verification: at least 140 hours of nursing practice in any 12-month period, or 480 hours accumulated over the preceding six years. If you don’t meet the hours threshold, you’ll need to complete a Board-approved refresher course before your license can be renewed. Confirm current practice-hour thresholds, refresher-course requirements, and renewal fees directly with the South Dakota Board of Nursing, as these are regulatory details subject to change.
Nursing Scholarships in South Dakota
South Dakota designates registered nursing as an area of critical need. The Dakota Corps Scholarship Program is open to high school graduates who commit to working in South Dakota after completing their degree (sdbor.edu/cost-aid/scholarships/). The South Dakota Nurses Foundation offers graduate-level scholarships and awards for working nurses completing baccalaureate degrees.
Nursing Resources in South Dakota
The South Dakota Nurses Association is the state’s professional nursing organization. It doesn’t handle licensing but provides continuing education and professional development resources for practicing nurses (sdnursesassociation.nursingnetwork.com/).
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is South Dakota a nurse licensure compact state?
Yes. South Dakota is a Nurse Licensure Compact member. A multistate RN or LPN license issued by the South Dakota Board lets you practice in other NLC states without a separate license. Compact privilege applies only when South Dakota is your primary state of residence. Three of South Dakota’s neighbors are also compact members: North Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska.
What exams are required for RN and LPN licensure in South Dakota?
RN applicants take the NCLEX-RN. LPN applicants take the NCLEX-PN. Both exams are administered by Pearson VUE on behalf of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. You’ll register with Pearson VUE separately from your Board application and pay the $200 exam fee directly to the testing company.
How do I renew my South Dakota nursing license?
Renew online through the South Dakota Board of Nursing every two years. The renewal fee is $115 for both RN and LPN licenses. South Dakota doesn’t require CE hours. Instead, you’ll document at least 140 hours of nursing practice in any 12-month period, or 480 hours accumulated over the preceding six years. Confirm current renewal requirements and fee amounts with the Board before renewing, as these details are subject to change.
Can an out-of-state nurse get a temporary permit in South Dakota?
Out-of-state RNs and LPNs applying by endorsement may receive a temporary permit with a photocopy of a current, active license. Fingerprint cards must be on file with the Board before the permit is issued. The permit is facility-specific and does not carry NLC multistate privileges. Verify current temporary permit eligibility requirements with the Board, as these administrative policies can change.
What is the LPN equivalency route in South Dakota?
South Dakota permits LPN licensure by equivalency for candidates whose coursework wasn’t completed in a traditional board-approved program. You’ll need transcripts showing theory and clinical work in adult nursing, geriatric nursing, and maternal-child nursing, with at least 570 clinical hours total. The Board notes this method isn’t accepted in all states, so verify requirements in any state where you plan to practice. Contact the Board directly to confirm this pathway remains available and to review current requirements before pursuing it.
- South Dakota is an NLC compact state — A multistate license issued here is valid in other NLC member states, including neighboring North Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska.
- Both license types require NCLEX — RNs take the NCLEX-RN. LPNs take the NCLEX-PN. Both exams are administered by Pearson VUE, with a $200 fee paid directly to the testing company.
- Renewal is every two years, no CE required — South Dakota verifies employment hours instead of CE credits. The renewal fee is $115 for both RN and LPN licenses.
- Temporary permits are available — First-time applicants and endorsement candidates can work under a facility-specific temporary permit while the application is processed.
- International nurses need CGFNS first — Nurses educated outside Canada or the U.S. must obtain CGFNS certification before the Board will grant NCLEX permission.
Find approved nursing programs in South Dakota and review application requirements for the license type you’re pursuing.