How many CE hours do nurses need in South Dakota?

Registered Nurses (RN) in South Dakota need 0 continuing education hours every 2 years for license renewal.

What are the mandatory CE topics in South Dakota?

Mandatory CE topics in South Dakota include: Practice Hours Verification, National Certification (APRN).

What is the renewal cycle for nursing licenses in South Dakota?

Nursing licenses in South Dakota must be renewed every 2 years. The South Dakota Board of Nursing oversees license renewals.

What license types does South Dakota regulate?

South Dakota regulates the following nursing license types: RN, APRN, LPN, CNA.

South Dakota RN License Renewal Requirements

South Dakota Board of Nursing · 2-year renewal cycle · Last verified 2026-02-04

Quick Facts

Renewal Cycle	Every 2 years
Total CE Hours (RN)	0 contact hours
Renewal Fee (RN)	$115
Compact State (NLC)	Yes — NLC member
License Types	RN, APRN, LPN, CNA

South Dakota is one of the few states that does not require continuing education hours for nursing license renewal. Instead, the South Dakota Board of Nursing requires nurses to verify practice hours — at least 140 hours of nursing employment in any 12-month period, or 480 accumulated hours within the preceding 6 years. Licenses expire on the nurse's birthday every two years. South Dakota is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state, allowing multistate license holders to practice across all compact states.

This data is verified against the South Dakota Board of Nursing — last checked 2026-02-04. If anything looks off, let me know.

Read the full South Dakota RN License Renewal Guide

Step-by-step walkthrough, common mistakes, and tips for a smooth renewal

How to Renew Your South Dakota Nursing License

1Receive your renewal notification from the Board approximately 60 days before your license expiration date
2Log in to the South Dakota Board of Nursing online portal at sdbon.org
3Verify your personal and employment information is current
4Confirm that you meet the practice hours requirement (140 hours in any 12-month period or 480 hours in the preceding 6 years)
5Pay the $115 renewal fee
6Submit your renewal application before your license expiration date (your birthday)

Visit the South Dakota Board of Nursing website for the official renewal portal.

CE Hours by License Type

hours / 2 years

Renewal fee: $115

APRN

hours / 2 years

Renewal fee: $115

LPN

hours / 2 years

Renewal fee: $115

CNA

hours / 2 years

Renewal fee: $0

CE Requirements

Category	Hours	Required	License Types	Description
Practice Hours Verification	0	Required	RNLPNCNA	Must verify at least 140 hours of nursing employment in any 12-month period, or an accumulated total of at least 480 hours within the preceding 6 years. No continuing education hours are required.
National Certification (APRN)	0	Required	APRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	APRNs must maintain current national certification in their area of specialty through an approved certifying body. CE requirements are determined by the certifying organization, not the state board.

Important Deadlines

Renewal Due: On the nurse's birthday every two years
Grace Period: No formal grace period. Practicing on an expired license is prohibited. Reinstatement is required if the license lapses.
CE Completion Window: All CE must be completed during the 2-year period immediately preceding the renewal date
Record Retention: Keep CE certificates for at least 4 years in case of audit by the South Dakota Board of Nursing

Important Notes

• South Dakota does not require continuing education hours for RN, LPN, or APRN license renewal
• Instead of CE, nurses must verify practice hours (140 hours in any 12-month period or 480 hours in 6 years)
• APRNs must maintain national certification in their specialty area
• Licenses expire on the nurse's birthday every two years
• South Dakota is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state
• The Board sends renewal notifications approximately 60 days before expiration
• This information is for guidance only. Always verify requirements with the South Dakota Board of Nursing.

CE Providers & Renewal

Approved CE Providers

ANCCState Board of Nursing

Renew Online

Late Fees & Reinstatement

Late Renewal Fees

RN: $25
LPN: $25

Reinstatement Fees

RN: $150
LPN: $150

CE Audit Information

State board may conduct random CE audits. Retain all CE certificates for at least 4 years.

Board Resources

South Dakota Board of Nursing

https://www.sdbon.org/

Sources

Last verified 2026-02-04·View official source →

Always confirm requirements directly with the South Dakota Board of Nursing before making decisions about your license renewal.

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How to Renew Your South Dakota Nursing License

1Receive your renewal notification from the Board approximately 60 days before your license expiration date

2Log in to the South Dakota Board of Nursing online portal at sdbon.org

3Verify your personal and employment information is current

4Confirm that you meet the practice hours requirement (140 hours in any 12-month period or 480 hours in the preceding 6 years)

5Pay the $115 renewal fee

6Submit your renewal application before your license expiration date (your birthday)

Visit the South Dakota Board of Nursing website for the official renewal portal.

CE Requirements

Category	Hours	Required	License Types	Description
Practice Hours Verification	0	Required	RNLPNCNA	Must verify at least 140 hours of nursing employment in any 12-month period, or an accumulated total of at least 480 hours within the preceding 6 years. No continuing education hours are required.
National Certification (APRN)	0	Required	APRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	APRNs must maintain current national certification in their area of specialty through an approved certifying body. CE requirements are determined by the certifying organization, not the state board.

Important Deadlines

Renewal Due: On the nurse's birthday every two years
Grace Period: No formal grace period. Practicing on an expired license is prohibited. Reinstatement is required if the license lapses.
CE Completion Window: All CE must be completed during the 2-year period immediately preceding the renewal date
Record Retention: Keep CE certificates for at least 4 years in case of audit by the South Dakota Board of Nursing

Important Notes

• South Dakota does not require continuing education hours for RN, LPN, or APRN license renewal

• Instead of CE, nurses must verify practice hours (140 hours in any 12-month period or 480 hours in 6 years)

• APRNs must maintain national certification in their specialty area

• Licenses expire on the nurse's birthday every two years

• South Dakota is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state

• The Board sends renewal notifications approximately 60 days before expiration

• This information is for guidance only. Always verify requirements with the South Dakota Board of Nursing.