Nurses · South Dakota · Continuing education
South Dakota Nursing CE Requirements & License Renewal (2026)
01 In short
- South Dakota does not require CE hours for RN license renewal (other ways to show competency apply — see below); renewal by your birthday.
- South Dakota does not require CE hours for LPN license renewal (other ways to show competency apply — see below); renewal by your birthday.
Official source: the state licensing board · checked Oct 28, 2026
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03 Requirements
South Dakota RN CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- Noneno hours set
- Renewal cycle
- 2 years
- Deadline
- Birthday
- Reporting
- —
- Renewal deadline
- By your birthday
Alternatives & exemptions. No CE hours; instead an active license requires nursing employment of at least 140 hours in any 12-month period within the past 6 years. Otherwise reentry: 480 hours of nursing employment in the past 6 years or a Board-approved refresher course, verified by the employer or course evidence.
Good to know. License expires on the birth date in the second calendar year after issue, then every two years. Renewal requires evidence of employment status. The Board site (sdbon.org) could not be reached; a renewal-requirements rule 20:48:03:01.03 (2026) is cited but its text was not available.
Source: sdlegislature.gov · ARSD 20:48:03:16; ARSD 20:48:03:10 · checked Oct 28, 2026
South Dakota LPN CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- Noneno hours set
- Renewal cycle
- 2 years
- Deadline
- Birthday
- Reporting
- —
- Renewal deadline
- By your birthday
Alternatives & exemptions. No CE hours; instead an active license requires nursing employment of at least 140 hours in any 12-month period within the past 6 years. Otherwise reentry: 480 hours of nursing employment in the past 6 years or a Board-approved refresher course, verified by the employer or course evidence.
Good to know. License expires on the birth date in the second calendar year after issue, then every two years. Renewal requires evidence of employment status. The Board site (sdbon.org) could not be reached; a renewal-requirements rule 20:48:03:01.03 (2026) is cited but its text was not available.
Source: sdlegislature.gov · ARSD 20:48:03:16; ARSD 20:48:03:10 · checked Oct 28, 2026
04 Conferences in South Dakota
05 Questions
How do I verify a nurse license in South Dakota?
Use the license lookup of the South Dakota Board of Nursing (doh.sd.gov/licensing-and-records/boards/south-dakota-board-of-nursing); the board's own record is the primary source. CE status itself is checked by the board at renewal.
How many CE hours do nurses need in South Dakota?
RN: No set number of hours — No CE hours; instead an active license requires nursing employment of at least 140 hours in any 12-month period within the past 6 years. Otherwise reentry: 480 hours of nursing employment in the past 6 years or a Board-approved refresher course, verified by the employer or course evidence. LPN: No set number of hours — No CE hours; instead an active license requires nursing employment of at least 140 hours in any 12-month period within the past 6 years. Otherwise reentry: 480 hours of nursing employment in the past 6 years or a Board-approved refresher course, verified by the employer or course evidence.
When is the renewal deadline for nurses in South Dakota?
RN: Licenses renew by your birthday (2 years cycle). LPN: Licenses renew by your birthday (2 years cycle).