South Dakota Nurse Practitioner Licensure Steps - 2025

Nurse Practitioner Licensure Requirements in South Dakota

South Dakota’s path to nurse practitioner (NP) licensure reflects the state’s emphasis on both professional competency and healthcare accessibility—especially in its many rural communities. Whether you’re new to nursing or transitioning from another state, the following steps outline exactly what it takes to become a fully licensed NP in South Dakota.

Obtain Your Registered Nurse (RN) License

Before you can practice as an NP, you must first hold a valid RN license. South Dakota is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), so nurses from other compact states do not need to apply for a separate license. However, if you’re from a non-compact state or have never been licensed, you’ll need to apply either by examination or endorsement.

RN by Examination

• Graduate from a board-approved nursing program (in-state or out-of-state).
• Submit an online application to the South Dakota Board of Nursing (SDBON), fee: $100 (+$25 for temporary permit).
• Have your nursing school send transcripts or Certificates of Nursing Education directly to the board. Use sdnclex@state.sd.us for clearinghouse submissions if allowed.
• Complete fingerprinting and a criminal background check using the materials mailed to you from SDBON. Return with required fee.
• Register for the NCLEX-RN through Pearson VUE (fee: $200). You’ll receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) via email.
• Track your application online. E-receipts serve as your proof of submission—no email confirmations will be sent.

RN by Endorsement

• Apply online at the SDBON site. Fee: $100 (+$25 for a temporary permit).
• Complete a background check using fingerprint cards mailed to you by the board.
• Verify your RN license via Nursys. For states not in Nursys (e.g., CA, PA, MI), submit a manual verification form to your original state board.
• Submit proof of nursing practice: at least 140 hours in the past year or 480 hours in the past 6 years. Use the board’s verification form or email it to sdbon@state.sd.us.
• If you do not meet practice hour requirements, you must complete a board-approved refresher course.

Note: All applications must be completed within one year of submission. All fees are non-refundable.

Complete Advanced Education Requirements

To qualify as a nurse practitioner in South Dakota, you must complete a graduate-level program such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or higher, in a population focus recognized by the board.

Most certifying agencies and South Dakota regulations require at least 500 hours of supervised clinical practice during your NP program. Additionally, if you plan to apply for prescriptive authority, you must complete coursework in pharmacology as part of your education.

Earn National Certification

Certification confirms you’ve met the national standards for clinical expertise in your chosen NP specialty. After completing your graduate education, select a certification body recognized by the South Dakota Board of Nursing:

• American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
• American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
• American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)
• Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB)
• National Certification Corporation (NCC)
• American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB)
• National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA)

Tip: Choose a certifying body that aligns with your NP population focus—such as family, pediatric, or psychiatric mental health.

Apply for NP Licensure in South Dakota

Once you have your RN license, graduate education, and national certification, you’re ready to apply for your Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN-NP) license.

Requirements Include:

• Unencumbered RN license
• Official transcripts sent from your graduate institution
• Verification of at least 1,040 hours of clinical NP practice
• Verification of national certification
• Completed fingerprint-based criminal background check

Apply by mailing all completed forms, transcripts, verifications, and a check or money order for $100 to:

Processing typically takes about one month. The board will contact you in writing if further documentation is required or if your application is approved.