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Read the following instructions carefully before proceeding with the online application process.
This application is for license by examination in South Dakota for RN or LPN licensees. This process is for individuals who have never taken the NCLEX examination.
To qualify for licensure by examination in the state of SD, you must have completed:
South Dakota (SD) joined the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) 01/01/2001. You are not eligible for licensure in SD if your primary state of residence is another compact state. See www.ncsbn.org for a list of compact states.
An application is null one year following the date that it was accepted by the Board. Fees are non-refundable.
In order to be made eligible to test, the following must be received in the Board of Nursing office:
When you have met all eligibility requirements and have been deemed eligible for licensure by board staff, Pearson Vue will e-mail you an Authorization to Test (ATT). Follow directions given by the ATT for scheduling your appointment to test.
Note: SD Board of Nursing does not provide you with the ATT.
A Temporary Permit will be issued when the following have been received at the Board of Nursing office:
You will receive a paper copy of the Temporary Permit. Verification of your temporary permit cannot be verified on the SD Board of Nursing website.
South Dakota law regulating nursing is mandatory. It is illegal to practice as a nurse without a current license or a valid Temporary Permit. There is no provision in law to use the title “graduate nurse”. A Temporary Permit requires use of the title Registered Nurse Applicant (RN App) or Licensed Practical Nurse Applicant (LPN App). A Temporary Permit is available only for a first-time NCLEX writer who has fulfilled eligibility requirements, is non-renewable and valid for 90 days or until written notification of NCLEX testing results is received by the applicant.
To track the progress of your application, you may check our website here. Those items without dates next to them have not been received or processed at the Board of Nursing office.
A receipt with a confirmation number will display at the end of this process if your application and payment have been submitted. Please print this receipt as proof of payment; receipts are not emailed.
Candidates who have taken the NCLEX examination can obtain their “unofficial” results within two business days after taking their exam by using the Quick Results Service through Pearson Vue. There is a fee associated with this service. Please visit the Quick Results Service webpage for more information.
The NCLEX results in the Quick Results Service does not authorize an applicant to practice as a RN/LPN until licensed by the South Dakota Board of Nursing.
NCLEX Results will not be given over email or phone by Board staff.
Results are typically posted by 5:00pm the next business day. After the results have been posted, please visit the SDBON verification page.
The SDBON verification page will show: