South Dakota nursing license by endorsement
How a nurse licensed in another state gets a South Dakota license by endorsement: the application fee ($100 for an RN), the steps, background check, temporary license, renewal and continuing education, with the board's own sources.
| At a glance | South Dakota |
|---|---|
| Licensing board | South Dakota Board of Nursing |
| Nurse Licensure Compact | Compact state |
| RN license by endorsement, application fee | $100 |
| LPN/LVN license by endorsement, application fee | $100 |
| Fingerprint background check | Required. Fingerprint card and signed release submitted with application for state and federal check through the Division of Criminal Investigation. |
| Temporary license while you wait | Temporary permit (R.N. App. / L.P.N. App.). Open to endorsement applicants; requires fingerprint card; $25 fee; LPN applicants practice under RN supervision. |
| RN renewal cycle | Every 2 years, fee $115 |
| Continuing education | Board CE rule chapter 20:48:12 is repealed; no RN/LPN CE hour requirement found in ARSD 20:48 or SDCL 36-9. |
How to get your South Dakota license, step by step
- Check the compact first. If your primary state of residence is a compact state and you hold a multistate license, you can practice in South Dakota without applying again. If you move your residence to South Dakota, you apply for a South Dakota license as your new home state.
- Start the application on the board's site. Use the board's licensure by endorsement page.
- Send license verification. Ask each state where you are or were licensed to verify your license to the board. Follow the board's instructions for how it wants to receive it.
- Complete the fingerprint background check. The board requires fingerprints for endorsement applicants. Follow its instructions for where to get them taken.
- Ask about the temporary license. The board offers a temporary permit (r.n. app. / l.p.n. app.) while the application is processed. Check the conditions before you plan a start date.
- Pay the fee and send documents. The application fee is $100 for an RN. Fingerprint and vendor fees can be separate. Keep copies of everything you submit.
- Tell your recruiter your status. Employers set their own start dates around licensing, so your recruiter needs to know where your application stands.
Specific to South Dakota
- Renewal fee is $95 plus $10 for the nurse education scholarship program and $10 for the nursing workforce center.
- License expires on the licensee's birth date, biennially.
- A permanent license is not issued until the criminal background check is complete.
What RNs earn in South Dakota
The BLS median for registered nurses in South Dakota is $33.42 per hour, about $69,510 a year. See the full RN salary guide for South Dakota.
| Metro area | Median / hr | Median / year |
|---|---|---|
| Rapid City, SD | $33.42 | $69,510 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $33.12 | $68,890 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
RN jobs in South Dakota · South Dakota state guide · Nurse Licensure Compact guide · Endorsement checklist
Sources
These facts come from the South Dakota Board of Nursing web pages below. Checked 2026-10-16.
- sdlegislature.gov/Rules/Administrative/20:48:03:07 (endorsement application, background check)
- sdlegislature.gov/Rules/Administrative/20:48:06 (fees, renewal fee, state notes)
- sdlegislature.gov/Rules/Administrative/20:48:03:08 (temporary license)
- sdlegislature.gov/Rules/Administrative/20:48:03:10 (renewal)
- sdlegislature.gov/Rules/Administrative/20:48:12 (continuing education)
- doh.sd.gov/licensing-and-records/boards/ (board website)
Requirements change. Always confirm with the South Dakota Board of Nursing before you apply or accept a start date. This guide is general information and not legal advice.
Common questions
How much does a South Dakota nursing license by endorsement cost?
The South Dakota Board of Nursing lists an application fee of $100 for an RN and $100 for an LPN/LVN. Fingerprint and vendor fees can be charged separately.
Is South Dakota a nurse licensure compact state?
South Dakota is in the Nurse Licensure Compact. A nurse whose home state is also a compact state can practice here on a multistate license.
Can I work in South Dakota while my license is processed?
The board offers a temporary permit (r.n. app. / l.p.n. app.). Open to endorsement applicants; requires fingerprint card; $25 fee; LPN applicants practice under RN supervision. Confirm the conditions with the board.
How long does it take to get a South Dakota license?
The South Dakota Board of Nursing does not publish a fixed time. It depends on how fast your verification and background check arrive, so apply before you accept a start date.
Does Valorem Health help with South Dakota licensing?
Your recruiter tells you which license each role needs and what the facility requires. You apply to the board, and our credentialing team helps with documents for onboarding.
Moving to South Dakota? See what RNs get paid near you.
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Your RN pay reportSouth Dakota · pay published by employers and employer-reported wage offers in federal filings
1Pay for your role at other employers
- Indian Health ServiceLower Brule, SD · 2 postings$54.32/ hr$47–$61
- Veterans Health AdministrationFort Meade, SD · 3 postings$49.58/ hr$32–$65
- Monument Health Rapid City Hospital, Inc.Rapid City, SD · 4 wage offers$40.98/ hr$36–$50
- Avera HealthSioux Falls, SD · 134 postings$40.50/ hr$28–$60
Median pay per hour, with the range each employer published or reported in federal filings.
2What they are offering now
222 RN postings with published pay in South Dakota, 151 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
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- RN | Emergency DepartmentPermanent$35.00–$43.75/ hour
- RN | 10th St Urgent CarePermanent$32.00–$40.00/ hour
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