The Midwestern state of South Dakota features miles and miles of prairies and farms, the beautiful Black Hills National Forest, and so much more.
Travel nurses can find opportunities here in various hospitals and medical centers in cities and towns like Rapid City, Sioux Falls, and Mitchell. Nurses who are looking to slow down and experience a fulfilling career could find the perfect fit in South Dakota.
Apply for a South Dakota Nursing License
The first step in getting a nursing license in South Dakota starts with a visit to the South Dakota Board of Nursing website. Here, you will find everything you need to obtain your license--whether you are a new nurse or seasoned veteran.
There are a few types of applications:
- Endorsement
- Exam
- Renewal
- Reinstatement
Nurses who are already actively licensed will apply by endorsement and new graduates who haven’t obtained a state license will apply by exam. The fee for endorsement and exams is $100.
Renewal and reinstatement is for those holding South Dakota licenses that may be ready to expire or already lapsed. The state does issue temporary licenses for those needing to work immediately.
Temporary licenses will be issued when the following is received at the Board of Nursing office:
- Online application for licensure by endorsement or examination
- Completed Criminal Background Check cards and fee
- Nursing Education Information
- Completed application for a Temporary Permit and $25 fee
- NCLEX Registration (exam only)
- Photocopy of current license bearing an expiration date (endorsement only)
How to Renew Your License with the South Dakota Board of Nursing
You can easily renew your South Dakota nursing license by simply going online and filling out the renewal application form. The fee is $115.
To renew your license online you will need:
- Your first and last name as it appears on the renewal postcard that you received (If you did not receive a postcard, you may verify your current licensure information online.)
- Your social security number
- Your RN license number
- Employment verification – the number of hours you worked in the nursing profession (at least 140 hours in any 12-month period, or an accumulated total of at least 480 hours within the preceding 6 years)
- Your address as listed on your credit card statement
Is South Dakota a Compact Nursing State?
Yes! South Dakota is proud to be a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state since 2001, and they also joined the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) in 2018. The compact authorizes a nurse licensed and residing in a Compact State (home state) to practice in other Compact (remote) States without obtaining additional licensure.
A nurse who resides in South Dakota and holds an unencumbered nursing license is granted a "multi-state privilege" to practice in any of the other Compact States. Likewise, a nurse who resides in and is licensed by another Compact State has a "multi-state privilege" to practice in South Dakota.
On the flip side, if you reside in a non-compact state, you will need to apply for a South Dakota license as we outlined above.
South Dakota, Here You Come!
Travel nursing jobs in South Dakota are plentiful at American Mobile. Use our job search tool to search for high-paying travel nursing jobs within your specialty and desired location.
If you are ready to take the next step, fill out our online application to get connected with a recruiter!
Questions?