State of South Dakota
South Dakota.
Updated 2026
Contact hours
For RN renewal, none required
0
Mandatory topics
For RN renewal, topics
0
Online CE
For RN renewal, fully accepted
Yes
¶ South Dakota does not require general continuing education hours for RN license renewal, one of the few states without mandatory CE for registered nurses.
Nursing in South Dakota.
South Dakota has approximately 17,000 licensed registered nurses serving a population of 920,000. Sanford Health and Avera Health are the major employers, operating facilities in Sioux Falls and throughout the state. South Dakota's rural communities face healthcare access challenges, with many areas designated as health professional shortage areas.
South Dakota does not require general continuing education hours for RN license renewal. The state relies on initial education standards and professional responsibility. This approach recognizes the challenges rural South Dakota nurses face in accessing traditional CE programs.
Common practice settings
Sioux Falls Health Systems
Sanford and Avera operate competing health systems in the state's largest city.
Tribal Health
Reservations in South Dakota have IHS and tribal facilities serving Native American populations.
Rural Critical Access
Many South Dakota communities rely on small critical access hospitals.
Renewal tips
01
Although CE is not state-mandated, employers typically require ongoing education.
02
Maintain specialty certifications and their CE requirements.
03
Consider telehealth CE for serving remote populations.
04
Document education for your professional portfolio.
The Nurse Licensure Compact in South Dakota
South Dakota is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. This benefits nurses who may work in border areas near North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, or Montana.
Read the compact license guide→The requirements, by license
Every license type,side by side.
Hours, cycles, mandatory topics, exemptions. Switch between RN, LPN, APRN and the four advanced-practice specialties.
License
RN
Registered nurse.
Contact hours
0
none required
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Required
Mandatory topics
No mandatory topics for RN renewal.
Notes
- South Dakota does NOT require continuing education for RN/LPN renewal.
- Practice hours required: 140 hours in any 12-month period during past 6 years OR 480 total hours in past 6 years.
- If practice hours not met, must complete RN Refresher Course (80 hours theory + 80 hours clinical).
License
LPN
LPN / LVN.
Contact hours
0
none required
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Required
Mandatory topics
No mandatory topics for LPN renewal.
Notes
- South Dakota does NOT require continuing education for RN/LPN renewal.
- Practice hours required: 140 hours in any 12-month period during past 6 years OR 480 total hours in past 6 years.
- If practice hours not met, must complete LPN Refresher Course.
License
APRN
APRN, general.
Contact hours
24
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 12h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Half of CE hours must be pharmacology for prescribers.
Additional requirements
License
NP
Nurse practitioner.
Contact hours
24
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 12h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Half of CE hours must be pharmacology for prescribers.
Additional requirements
License
CNS
Clinical nurse specialist.
Contact hours
24
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 12h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Half of CE hours must be pharmacology for prescribers.
Additional requirements
License
CNM
Certified nurse-midwife.
Contact hours
24
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 12h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Half of CE hours must be pharmacology for prescribers.
Additional requirements
License
CRNA
Nurse anesthetist.
Contact hours
24
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 12h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Half of CE hours must be pharmacology for prescribers.
Additional requirements
In context. South Dakota does not require general CE for RN license renewal. Compared with neighbors, North Dakota requires 12 hours, while Minnesota requires 24 hours. As a Nurse Licensure Compact state, South Dakota allows nurses to practice across state lines with a multistate license.
Continue.
Track your CEUs
Log courses, monitor progress toward South Dakota requirements.
Open tracker →
Compare states
See how South Dakota stacks up.
Compare →
Compact license guide
What the NLC means for South Dakota nurses.
Read guide →
Audit preparation
Be ready if South Dakota audits your CE compliance.
Read guide →
Verify with the source
South Dakota Board of Nursing.
(605) 362-2760
4305 S Louise Avenue, Suite 201, Sioux Falls, SD 57106
Verify before relying on this