Become a Nurse in South Dakota – Licensure & Requirements

Advanced-practice license categories above require completion of a graduate degree, postgraduate degree, or postgraduate certificate in the applicable role, per South Dakota Administrative Rule 20:62:02:01.01.

South Dakota Nursing Salaries

^{Careers as a nurse salaries above were retrieved from the Bureau of Labor Statistics – State Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for South Dakota, Rapid City, SD, Sioux City, IA-NE-SD and Sioux Falls, SD-MN – May 2025.}

There are many paths to becoming a nurse in South Dakota. The one you take will mostly depend on the type of nurse you’d like to become and your current or prospective level of education. The more education, the more opportunities you’ll have to choose where and how you pursue your career in nursing.

In addition to nursing salaries in South Dakota, you’ll find information on acquiring and maintaining several types of South Dakota nursing licenses on this page. We’re constantly making updates, but with the speed of change in healthcare, it’s sometimes difficult to stay current. If you have any comments or suggestions for our information on nursing in South Dakota, please email us at info@nursinglicensemap.com!

Compact State Status

South Dakota is a Nursing Licensure Compact state, per the Nurse Licensure Compact's current jurisdiction map and the South Dakota Board of Nursing.

Prescriptive Authority in South Dakota

In South Dakota, Certified Nurse Practitioners (CNP) and Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM) may apply for prescriptive authority for controlled substances under Schedules II–IV. CNPs and CNMs have not been subject to a supervisory-physician requirement for this authority since the 2017 legislative session.

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) – in South Dakota

APRNs in South Dakota are defined as nurse anesthetist, clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse practitioner, and certified nurse midwife.

Education: Advanced-practice nursing program conferring a graduate degree, postgraduate degree, or postgraduate certificate in the applicable role/population focus, and nationally accredited or otherwise Board approved

Examination: Varies according to prerequisite national certification

Certification Required: Varies according to specialty area, but must include a current, valid, unencumbered South Dakota Registered Nurse license or applicable multistate privilege to practice

Experience: Varies according to prerequisite national certification; for nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives, applicants must verify at least 1,040 hours of qualifying NP/CNM practice or submit the required collaborative agreement to meet the 1,040-hour requirement

Fees: $100 Application

Renewal: Advanced Practice Nurse licenses in South Dakota expire biennially.

Learn more on how to become an advanced practice registered nurse.

Registered Nurse (RN) in South Dakota

Education: Board-approved nursing education program

Examination: NCLEX-RN

Fees: (per SDCL 36-9-35)

• $100 Application Fee
• $200 Examination Fee

Endorsement: RNs may apply for licensure by endorsement by providing transcripts of their nursing education program, completing a criminal background check, verifying original state licensure, and verifying employment experience, per SDCL 36-9-32.

Renewal: Registered Nurse licenses in South Dakota expire biennially.

Learn more about how to become a registered nurse.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in South Dakota

Education: Board-approved nursing education program

Examination: NCLEX-PN

Fees: (per SDCL 36-9-43)

• $100 Application Fee
• $200 Examination Fee

Endorsement: LPNs may apply for licensure by endorsement by providing transcripts of their nursing education program, completing a criminal background check, verifying original state licensure, and verifying employment experience, per SDCL 36-9-39.

Renewal: Licensed Practical Nurse licenses in South Dakota expire biennially.

Learn more on how to become a licensed practical nurse.

Information Disclosure:

Licensure requirements above are sourced from South Dakota Codified Law, South Dakota Administrative Rules, and the South Dakota Board of Nursing, cited throughout this page.