South Dakota Nursing License: Requirements, Cost & How to Apply (2026)

South Dakota Board of Nursing

South Dakota Board of Nursing

South Dakota board of nursing office

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Graduate from a board-approved nursing school or meet the board’s equivalency requirements for examination licensure.

Graduate from a board-approved nursing school or meet the board’s equivalency requirements for examination licensure.

A graduate of a board-approved school of nursing seeking licensure by examination or the applicant for licensure by examination who meets requirements by equivalency must submit an application on a form provided by the board.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX)

National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX)

The licensing examination is the National Council Licensing Examination of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Active-status RN/LPN eligibility: at least 140 nursing employment hours in any 12-month period during the preceding six years. Reentry alternatives are at least 480 employment hours accumulated during the preceding six years or an approved refresher course.

Active-status RN/LPN eligibility: at least 140 nursing employment hours in any 12-month period during the preceding six years. Reentry alternatives are at least 480 employment hours accumulated during the preceding six years or an approved refresher course.

Registered nurses and licensed practical nurses must be employed in nursing for a minimum of 140 hours in any 12-month period over the preceding 6 years to be eligible for active status licensure. Compliance with reentry standards may be accomplished by employment in nursing of at least 480 hours accumulated during the preceding 6 years or by successful completion of a nursing refresher course approved by the board.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

An initial license expires on the licensee's birth date in the second calendar year following issuance, and biennially on the licensee's birth date thereafter.

An initial license expires on the licensee's birth date in the second calendar year following issuance, and biennially on the licensee's birth date thereafter. Applies to: South Dakota RN and LPN licenses; rule amended effective August 3, 2026

An initial license expires on the licensee's birth date in the second calendar year following issuance, and biennially on the licensee's birth date thereafter. 53 SDR 8, effective August 3, 2026.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Biennially on the licensee's birth date thereafter

2

biennially on the licensee's birth date thereafter

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Endorsement may be granted without another examination upon satisfactory evidence of licensure elsewhere; employment status and a fingerprint background check are required.

Endorsement may be granted without another examination upon satisfactory evidence of licensure elsewhere; employment status and a fingerprint background check are required.

showing that the applicant is licensed to practice nursing in accordance with the laws of another state or territory or foreign country, the applicant may be issued a license by endorsement to practice nursing in this state without examination. The application shall be filed with the fee prescribed by chapter 20:48:06 and evidence of employment status Each applicant for licensure by endorsement must submit a set of fingerprints

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

RN and LPN board fees: $100 for licensure by examination, plus the examination provider’s fee; $100 for endorsement. Biennial renewal is $95 plus a $10 scholarship charge and a $10 workforce-center charge. The fee rules were amended effective August 3, 2026.

RN and LPN board fees: $100 for licensure by examination, plus the examination provider’s fee; $100 for endorsement. Biennial renewal is $95 plus a $10 scholarship charge and a $10 workforce-center charge. The fee rules were amended effective August 3, 2026.

For a registered nurse license by examination, one hundred dollars plus the current fee for a nationally administered examination; For a registered nurse license by endorsement, one hundred dollars; For a licensed practical nurse license by examination, one hundred dollars plus the current fee for a nationally administered examination; For a licensed practice nurse license by endorsement, one hundred dollars; For the biennial renewal of a license, ninety-five dollars, plus ten dollars to fund the nurses' education assistance scholarship program, pursuant to SDCL 36-9-77, and ten dollars to fund the nursing workforce center, pursuant to SDCL 36-9-95; 53 SDR 8, effective August 3, 2026.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Open the official agency page

https://sdbon.boardsofnursing.org/licenselookup

SD Board of Nursing Nurse Verification

Last verified Oct 25, 2026