South Dakota nursing license rules
Compact stateRN and LPN · Last checked October 29, 2026 · Sources
South Dakota is a compact state (since January 2018). If your primary state of residence is another compact state and you hold a multistate license, you can work in South Dakota in person or by telehealth without a new license. If you live in South Dakota, your multistate license is issued here.
- Renewal cycle
- Every 2 years
- When it expires
- Licensee's birth date, every 2 years (first expiration on birth date in 2nd calendar year after issue)
- Renewal fee
- $95
- Continuing education
- No set number of CE hours. The state may require other proof of competence (such as practice hours or a certification) or specific courses; check the board's renewal page.
- Required CE topics
- None found on the board's pages.
- Endorsement fee
- $100
- Fingerprints for endorsement
- Yes, a criminal background check with fingerprints
- Temporary permit
- Available. $25 temporary permit for nurses licensed in another state awaiting endorsement, max 90 days
- How to apply
- Board application with verification of licensure (Nursys) and employment; fingerprint card and signed release for state/federal check through SD DCI; 140 practice hours in a 12-month period in past 6 years (or 480 hrs/refresher).
- Renewal cycle
- Every 2 years
- When it expires
- Licensee's birth date, every 2 years (first expiration on birth date in 2nd calendar year after issue)
- Renewal fee
- $95
- Continuing education
- No set number of CE hours. The state may require other proof of competence (such as practice hours or a certification) or specific courses; check the board's renewal page.
- Required CE topics
- None found on the board's pages.
- Endorsement fee
- $100
- Fingerprints for endorsement
- Yes, a criminal background check with fingerprints
- Temporary permit
- Available. $25 temporary permit for out-of-state LPNs awaiting endorsement, max 90 days (SDCL 36-9-39.1)
- How to apply
- Same as RN: application, license and employment verification, fingerprint card for DCI/FBI check, practice-hour standard.
Moving or traveling
Moving to South Dakota from another compact state? Apply by endorsement in the new home state within 60 days (rule effective 2024-01-02). May keep practicing on the old multistate license until the new one is issued; the old one is then deactivated. Can apply before moving.
Moving here from a non-compact state? Apply by endorsement in the new home state; a multistate license may be issued if residency and uniform requirements (incl. state and federal fingerprint background checks) are met. The old single-state license is unaffected.
Board of nursing
Sources
- https://sdlegislature.gov/api/Rules/20:48:06:01.html
- https://sdlegislature.gov/api/Rules/20:48:06:02.html
- https://sdlegislature.gov/api/Rules/20:48:03:07.html
- https://sdlegislature.gov/api/Rules/20:48:03:10.html
- https://sdlegislature.gov/api/Rules/20:48:03:16.html
- https://sdlegislature.gov/api/Statutes/36-9-45.html
- https://sdlegislature.gov/api/Statutes/36-9-32.1.html
- https://sdlegislature.gov/api/Statutes/36-9.html
- https://doh.sd.gov/media/xekhhaov/internationalrnlpnendorsement.pdf
- https://www.nursecompact.com/files/NLC_Map.pdf
- https://sdlegislature.gov/api/Rules/20:48:03:09.html
- https://sdlegislature.gov/api/Statutes/36-9-39.1.html
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