Is it almost time to renew your nursing license?
Are you not sure what the requirements are?
Do you need to earn any CE hours?
In this complete 2023 guide on nursing CE requirements in South Dakota, we’ll answer all these questions and more.
We’ll tell you everything you need to know, so you can start working on it. Plus, we won’t leave out any nursing license type, whether that’s CNA, LPN, RN, or APRN.
There’s surely something for you here.
Let’s start!
South Dakota Nursing CE Requirements
To give you a quick summary, check out the table below:
Type of Nurse | CE Requirement |
CNA (Certified Nurse Assistant) | No CE required Must complete 12 hours of training per year AND 12 hours of paid employment during the preceding 2 years Renewal cycle: 2 years |
LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) | No CE required Must complete 140 hours of paid work per year OR Complete a total of 480 hours within the past 6 years Renewal cycle: 1 year |
RN (Registered Nurse) | No CE required Must complete 140 hours of paid work per year OR Complete a total of 480 hours within the past 6 years Renewal cycle: 1 year |
APRN (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse) | No CE required Must maintain national certification Renewal cycle: 2 years |
Now, let’s get into further details about the requirements.
South Dakota CNA Continuing Education Requirements
As is the norm with CNAs around the US, they don’t need to fulfill any CE requirements for renewal.
But that doesn’t mean they don’t need to do anything.
To renew your CNA certification, you need to show proof of at least 12 hours of training each year, PLUS at least 12 hours of paid employment during the last 2 years.
South Dakota LPN Continuing Education Requirements
LPNs are NOT required to take continuing education.
Instead, the South Dakota Department of Health focuses more on practice hours. This means you have to show proof that you’ve been practicing in your nursing profession.
As for required hours, you can either:
- Earn a minimum of 140-hour employment every year
- Complete a total of 480 hours of work during the past 6 years.
If you are unable to meet the required hours, you will need to take an LPN Refresher Course with a minimum of 80 hours in theoretical education and 80 hours of supervised practice. These must meet Board of Nursing standards.
South Dakota RN Continuing Education Requirements
Good news!
RNs don’t need any CE requirements, too.
As long as you are working as an RN, you can be eligible to renew your license. However, you need to fulfill minimum practice hours.
- 140 hours of paid work every year
OR
- 480 hours of paid work every 6 years
And, just like LPNs, if you can’t fulfill these required hours, you need to take an RN Refresher Course. This will include 80 hours of theoretical education and 80 hours of supervised practice approved by the Board of Nursing.
South Dakota APRN Continuing Education Requirements
For anyone holding any type of APRN license in South Dakota, you simply need to maintain national certification to renew your license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Got some questions? Let’s answer the most frequently asked questions.
When does my nursing license expire in South Dakota?
For LPNs and RNs, your nursing license will expire on your birthday, every year.
For APRNs, your nursing license expires also on your birthday, but every other year. That is, it will expire every 2 years.
As for CNAs, your certification will expire every 2 years.
Where do I renew my nursing license in South Dakota?
You can renew your LPN, RN, and APRN nursing license online in South Dakota. Just click here and pick your license type.
As for CNAs, you can renew your certification online, too. Click here to get started.
Where can I find state-approved Refresher Courses in South Dakota?
Here are some state-approved Refresher Courses in the state:
South Dakota State University
Address: 1451 Stadium Road, Brookings, South Dakota
Phone: 1-605-688-4121
South Dakota State University’s curriculum is one of the most comprehensive and trusted by peers in the industry.
For those who wish to enroll here, we’re giving you a heads up that the school will be running a background check before admitting you in.
RN Refresher Course | LPN Refresher Course | |
Price | $1750 | $1500 |
Number of Theory Hours (Completed Online) | 145 | 120 |
Minimum Number of Clinical Hours | 80 | 80 |
Minnesota State Community and Technical College
For those looking for a more affordable refresher course, you may check out the programs offered by Minnesota State Community and Technical College.
For the theoretical course, you may join the online classes. While for clinical, the students must look for a nearby clinic in South Dakota to credit their clinical hours.
RN Refresher Course | LPN Refresher Course | |
Price | $995 | $995 |
Number of Theory Hours (Completed Online) | 160 | 160 |
Minimum Number of Clinical Hours | 80 | 80 |
I want to change other details on my nursing license, such as my address and surname. Can I request this during the renewal process?
Yes, you can indicate this in the renewal forms. But if you need to urgently change these personal details, you don’t need to wait for your renewal period. Click this link to update it or contact South Dakota’s Board of Nursing at 1-800-738-2301.
Conclusion
There you go – the complete 2023 guide on nursing CE requirements in South Dakota.
If you’re based here, you’re lucky to have no nursing CE requirements to renew your license.
To be eligible for renewal, all you need to do is focus on your nursing profession.
Just make sure you hit the minimum practice hours.
And if you can’t, you can always turn to a Refresher Course.
So that’s it. That’s all you need to renew your nursing license in South Dakota.
If your nursing license is about to expire, you should go and work on these requirements right away, if you didn’t already fulfill them.
Good luck!
Last updated: April 1, 2023 (Requirements taken from South Dakota BON website)