Licensing authority
SD Board of Nursing
Conditions & source context
Exact published currentBoardname; SD is the state abbreviation in structural metadata.
Nursing licensure · NLC status table · EMS licensure
SD
South Dakota
Does this state recognize my multistate license?
Multistate license recognizedSD
Yes — a qualifying multistate license permits RN/LPN practice here
Licensure route for valid eligible home-stateMSL with noSDrestriction; employment credentialing and contract facts outside scope.
Supporting evidence and conditions
Licensure route for valid eligible home-stateMSL with noSDrestriction; employment credentialing and contract facts outside scope.
State Board of Nursing · sdbon.org · verified 9 Oct 2026
- Law enacted
- Yes SDCL 36-9-98; SL 2016, ch. 194, § 42
- In force
- Yes date not published
- Issuing multistate licenses
- Yes issuing multistate licenses
Each answer links to the state rule it comes from. Open “Source quotation” for the exact wording.
Licensing authority
Board contacts, official applications and governing rules.
Authority website
Conditions & source context
Homepage captured; inner pages are script-driven and were not retrievable over plain HTTP.
Source quotation
Contact Us SD Board of Nursing 4305 S. Louise Ave. Suite 201 Sioux Falls, SD 57106-3115 Phone: 605-362-2760 Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (CT), Monday - Friday
sdbon.org · State Board of Nursing
Licensing portal
Conditions & source context
Actual linked Nurse Portal href, not guessed old application route. No account opened.
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
Contact
- Phone
- 605-362-2760
- Address
- 4305 S. Louise Ave., Suite 201, Sioux Falls, SD 57106-3115
- Hours
- 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM CT, Monday - Friday
Conditions & source context
CurrentBoard phone/address/hours quoted; staging-only email not promoted and remains nested unknown.
Source quotation
Contact Us SD Board of Nursing 4305 S. Louise Ave. Suite 201 Sioux Falls, SD 57106-3115 Phone: 605-362-2760 Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (CT), Monday - Friday
sdbon.org · State Board of Nursing
License requirements
License types, exams, expiration dates and multistate eligibility.
Licence types
RN
- State title
- RN
LPN
- State title
- LPN
Conditions & source context
Current Board page establishesRN/LPNpathways. Full spelled-out state titles unquoted; published abbreviations retained. APRN excluded.
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
Multistate licences issued
Yes
Conditions & source context
Current BoardMSLapplication/residency instructions; fullULRchecklist and individual eligibility remain separate.
Source quotation
When applying for a South Dakota nursing license, be prepared to provide documentation to support residence in South Dakota, examples include a state driver's license or voters registration.
sdbon.org · State Board of Nursing
NCLEX required to get licensed
Yes
Conditions & source context
Standard initial examination path only; not a claim that endorsement applicants retakeNCLEX or a complete alternative-route sweep.
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
Working across state lines
Compact membership, license privileges and application requirements.
NLC law enacted
- Status
- Yes
- Citation
- SDCL 36-9-98; SL 2016, ch. 194, § 42
Conditions & source context
Session-law source citation supports the act reference, but the capture supplies no governor approval date; keep enacted_date null.
Source quotation
The Nurse Licensure Compact is enacted into law and entered into with all other jurisdictions that legally join the compact, which is substantially as follows:
sdlegislature.gov · State statute
NLC law in force
- Status
- Yes
- Delayed clause
- Yes
- Clause
- Article X says the Compact becomes effective and binding on the earlier of legislative enactment by at least 26 states or December 31, 2018. The actual trigger date is not established in this capture.
Conditions & source context
Current Board evidence supports current visiting practice. Keep the operational implementation date separate from the unknown legal trigger date. Article X says the Compact becomes effective and binding on the earlier of legislative enactment by at least 26 states or December 31, 2018.
Source quotation
This compact shall become effective and binding on the earlier of the date of legislative enactment of this compact into law by no less than twenty-six states or December 31, 2018.
sdlegislature.gov · State statute
Issuing multistate licences
- Status
- Yes
Conditions & source context
Current Board operational recognition; initial go-live date unverified.
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
Conditions for privilege
- Hold a valid multistate license issued by the home state and follow receiving-state practice law.
Conditions & source context
Core visiting privilege summary; complete ULR and individualized restriction assessment remain separate fromSDhome-state issuance.
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-state residence rule
- Keys off home-state residence
- Yes
- If your home state changes
- MSLholder moving to anotherNLCstate must apply in newparty within60days.
- Detail
- SD-issuedMSL application requires evidence ofSDresidence; visiting privilege based on anotherhome state is separate.
Conditions & source context
CurrentBoard60day rule; no old staging application restriction reused.
Source quotation
Multistate Licensure Requirements To hold a MSL, a nurse must be a resident in a NLC state. When applying for a South Dakota nursing license, be prepared to provide documentation to support residence in South Dakota, examples include a state driver's license or voters registration. A nurse who holds a MSL and changes residence to another NLC member state - must apply for a license in the new party state within 60 days!
sdbon.org · State Board of Nursing
Can I take a contract on privilege alone
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.
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
Verify privilege
Conditions & source context
General RN/PN Compact verification route, published as an exact QuickConfirm link by the Louisiana LPN Board. The NLC Commission’s linked 2018 guide (https://www.nursecompact.com/files/nursysquickconfirm.pdf) describes the report’s RN/PN practice-state check. The destination returned a redirect loop during this review; current accessibility and individual license results are unverified. This link does not establish a particular nurse’s eligibility or state-specific restrictions.
Apply from another state
Eligibility, application fees, background checks and temporary licenses.
Endorsement available
Yes
Conditions & source context
CurrentBoardendorsement application route; applicant-specific eligibility/checklist unverified.
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
What it is called
LPN/RN licensure by endorsement
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
Where to apply
Conditions & source context
Actual linked Nurse Portal href, not guessed old application route. No account opened.
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
Background check
- 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.
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
Renewal and education
Renewal dates, required education and reinstatement options.
State-specific requirements
- 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 establish renewalCE absence.
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
If your licence lapses
- Pathway
- NursePortal reinstatement application; verify nursing hours; active reinstatement required before practice.
- Term after reinstatement
- From issuance to second birthday thereafter
Conditions & source context
CurrentSeptember28,2026Boardinstructions replace staging checklist. Fee, nursinghour threshold and ordinary renewal term unconfirmed. No mailed papercardpromise retained.
Source quotation
When a South Dakota nursing license is not renewed by the expiration date the license is placed on a lapsed status. Practicing on a lapsed license is a violation of law pursuant to SDCL 36-9 and 36-9A. Reinstatement Application To reinstate a lapsed LPN, RN, or APRN license to an active status, you must: Create a Nurse Portal account, or log in to your account. Review the steps to set up a Nurse Portal Account . Access the reinstatement application and instructions. Be prepared to verify your nursing license hours. Once reinstatement requirements are met, your license will be reinstated and valid from the date of issuance to your second birthday thereafter. You must be reinstated to an active license status prior to resuming nursing practice!
sdbon.org · State Board of Nursing
License verification
Official license-verification links and the information available from each source.
Licence lookup
Conditions & source context
Actual currentBoardlicense-lookuphref; returned discipline/privilege fields not inspected.
Source quotation
Nurse License Renewal Card Notice Effective September 2026, the Board no longer issues paper renewal cards; this change was made because a nurse's license status can change during a renewal period. Instead verify a license on the Board's verification sites.
sdbon.org · State Board of Nursing
Ask the board of nursing
South Dakota's published rules don't answer these. Ask before you apply — sdbon.org.
- Governing law. Which nurse practice act or rule governs licensure in South Dakota?
- Licence term. How long does a South Dakota nursing licence last before renewal?
- Jurisprudence exam. Does South Dakota require a jurisprudence or ethics exam?
- Criminal-history requirements. What criminal-history requirements apply to nursing licensure in South Dakota?
- What you must provide. What does South Dakota require from an out-of-state nurse?
- Application fee. What does it cost to get licensed in South Dakota from out of state?
- How long it takes. How long will South Dakota take to process my application?
- Temporary licence. Can I start working in South Dakota before full approval?
- Nursys verification. Do I have to route verification through Nursys for South Dakota?
- Renewal interval (years). How often do I renew in South Dakota?
- Renewal competency and CE. Which continuing-education or competency requirements apply in South Dakota?
- Approved CE providers. Where do I find CE that South Dakota will accept?