Nurse state crossing · South Dakota licensing · NLC status table · LPN/LVN list
RN work list: South Dakota
What an RN has to do to work in South Dakota. Pick where you live and the page shows your route.
Pick your home state to see which route applies. Both are listed below.
South Dakota: Nurse Licensure Compact state
State Board of Nursing · sdbon.org · checked 9 Oct 2026
Source quotation
South Dakota is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Nurses who hold a multi-state license (MSL) may practice in other member states without obtaining additional licenses in other NLC member states.
sdbon.org · State Board of Nursing
Home and work in South Dakota
If you already hold a licence South Dakota issued, there is no state line to cross. Renewal and continuing-education rules are on the South Dakota licensing page.
Moved here from another compact state? NCSBN says “when your PSOR changes by permanently relocating to another compact state, apply for licensure by endorsement” and “You have 60 days from the time you move to apply for your license.” The endorsement steps are below.
NCSBN · nursecompact.com · checked 10 Nov 2026
Source quotation
when your PSOR changes by permanently relocating to another compact state, apply for licensure by endorsement
You have 60 days from the time you move to apply for your license.
nursecompact.com · NCSBN
Route A: practise on your multistate licence
For a nurse whose home state and South Dakota are both compact states in force, holding a multistate licence.
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Look yourself up on Nursys QuickConfirm. NCSBN: “If you already have a license and you are unsure if your license is single-state or multistate, use Quick Confirm at nursys.com at no cost.”
NCSBN · nursecompact.com · checked 10 Nov 2026
Source quotation
If you already have a license and you are unsure if your license is single-state or multistate, use Quick Confirm at nursys.com at no cost.
nursecompact.com · NCSBN
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Only the compact state you actually live in can issue your multistate licence. NCSBN: “If a nurse's PSOR is a compact state, that nurse may be eligible for a multistate license.”
NCSBN · nursecompact.com · checked 10 Nov 2026
Source quotation
If a nurse's PSOR is a compact state, that nurse may be eligible for a multistate license.
nursecompact.com · NCSBN
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NCSBN defines the privilege to practise as the authority “permitting the practice of nursing as either an RN or LPN/VN in a remote state”.
NCSBN · nursecompact.com · checked 10 Nov 2026
Source quotation
permitting the practice of nursing as either an RN or LPN/VN in a remote state
nursecompact.com · NCSBN
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Yes — a qualifying multistate license permits RN/LPN practice here
Conditions & source context
Licensure route for valid eligible home-stateMSL with noSDrestriction; employment credentialing and contract facts outside scope.
State Board of Nursing · sdbon.org · checked 9 Oct 2026
Source quotation
South Dakota is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Nurses who hold a multi-state license (MSL) may practice in other member states without obtaining additional licenses in other NLC member states.
sdbon.org · State Board of Nursing
If you move for good, not just for a contract: NCSBN says “when your PSOR changes by permanently relocating to another compact state, apply for licensure by endorsement” and “You have 60 days from the time you move to apply for your license.”
NCSBN · nursecompact.com · checked 10 Nov 2026
Source quotation
You have 60 days from the time you move to apply for your license.
nursecompact.com · NCSBN
Route B: get a South Dakota licence by endorsement
For everyone else. Each step comes from South Dakota’s own licensing sources; tick it off as you go.
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Conditions & source context
Actual linked Nurse Portal href, not guessed old application route. No account opened.
State Board of Nursing · sdbon.org · checked 9 Oct 2026
Source quotation
To apply for a new LPN or RN license, create a Nurse Portal account to access the online application for licensure by NCLEX examination or by e ndorsement from another state .
sdbon.org · State Board of Nursing
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- Required
- Yes
- State check
- Yes
- FBI check
- Yes
- Fingerprints
- Yes
- Vendor
- South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation and FBI, fingerprint cards sent by the Board of Nursing
- From out of state
- Fingerprint cards come in the Board's packet mailed to the applicant; a temporary permit waits on completed cards.
Conditions & source context
SDCL 36-9-97: every RN, LPN, CRNA and CNS applicant, endorsement included, is fingerprinted for a state (DCI) and FBI check before permanent licensure, at the applicant's cost. Refusing to cooperate is grounds for denial.
State statute · sdlegislature.gov · checked 14 Oct 2026
Source quotation
shall submit to a state and federal criminal background investigation by means of fingerprint checks by the Division of Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation
sdlegislature.gov · State statute
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- RenewRN/LPNlicense throughNursePortal; account can updateaddress/name andprintcreditcardreceipt.
Conditions & source context
Current administrative route only. Practicehour threshold, renewalinterval, fees andCE still held. Old endorsement practicehours do not show renewalCE absence.
State Board of Nursing · sdbon.org · checked 9 Oct 2026
Source quotation
Renew your RN, LPN, or APRN license by creating an account, or logging in to the SDBON Nurse Portal Review the instructions to Set up a Nurse Portal Account While in your Nurse Portal account, you may: Change or update your address Apply to change your name Print your receipt for the credit card fee(s). The Board accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover. Contact the board office if you have questions.
sdbon.org · State Board of Nursing
Built from the South Dakota nursing licensing record and the compact status table. A step appears only when the record has a sourced answer for it; anything else points to the board. Informational only: confirm with the board of nursing before you apply.