Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Requirements in South Dakota
South Dakota’s Advanced Practice Nurses (termed APNs or APRNs) are licensed by the South Dakota Board of Nursing. The Board recognizes the following advanced practice roles (https://doh.sd.gov/boards/nursing/licensure.aspx):
- Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)
- Certified Nurse Practitioner (CNP)
- Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
An APRN applicant will need an RN license or permit. South Dakota is party to the nurse license compact, so nurses may qualify at the RN level based on licensure in another compact state. Those who reside in non-compact states will need to apply for RN by endorsement and meet all requirements for licensure at that level.
Additional requirements include advanced education and certification.
Select a South Dakota Advanced Practice Nurse Topic:
- Nurse Practitioner and Certified Nurse Midwife Requirements in South Dakota
- Clinical Nurse Specialist and Nurse Anesthetist Requirements
- Temporary Permits to Practice
- The APRN Application Process
- APRN License Renewal Requirements
- Nursing Board, Contacts, Associations and Additional Information
Nurse Practitioner and Certified Nurse Midwife Requirements
Nurse practitioner and nurse midwife requirements are addressed together in Article 20:62 of Board Rule (http://legis.sd.gov/Rules/DisplayRule.aspx?Rule=20:62). A prospective licensee must complete a program that offers specific training for the CNM or CNP role. The degree must be at the graduate level. The program is to be accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (Nurse Practitioner programs in South Dakota).
Application materials list the following accreditation agencies among the possibilities for advanced practice nurses who are seeking recognition as nurse practitioners or nurse midwives:
- American College of Nurse Midwives, Division of Accreditation
- National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health, Council on Accreditation
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- *National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission
*The National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission is now the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
Although the individual may receive temporary approval after educational requirements have been met, licensure is dependent on passing a certification examination.
The Board recognizes the following nurse practitioner practice areas:
- Family
- Adult
- Pediatrics
- Gerontology
- Neonatal
- Psychiatric/ Mental Health
- Women’s Health
The following NP/ CNM certification organizations have been approved for licensure in South Dakota (http://legis.sd.gov/Rules/DisplayRule.aspx?Rule=20:62:02:04):
- American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
- American College of Nurse-Midwives
- American Nurses Credentialing Center
- National Certification Corporation
- Pediatric Nursing Certification Board/ National
- Certification Board of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and Nurses
A nurse practitioner or nurse midwife may carry out overlapping advanced nursing/ medical functions under collaboration with a physician (http://legis.sd.gov/Rules/DisplayRule.aspx?Rule=20:62:03:03).
Clinical Nurse Specialist and Nurse Anesthetist Requirements
Requirements for clinical nurse specialists and nurse anesthetists are described in Article 20: 48 of Board Rule (http://legis.sd.gov/rules/DisplayRule.aspx?Rule=20:48&Type=All&Word=No).
A prospective clinical nurse specialist must complete an approved program and earn a degree at the master’s level (http://legis.sd.gov/Rules/DisplayRule.aspx?Rule=20:62).
The individual will then pursue examination. The following CNS certification organizations are listed in the application packet:
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
American Nurses Credentialing Center
National Certification Corporation for OB, GYN & Neonatal Nursing Specialties
The form notes that the AACN certification exam should be ‘CCNS’.
A CNS applicant who holds a certification through an organization that is not listed in the application packet is directed to contact the Board about acceptability.
Nurse anesthetists are to complete programs accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (http://legis.sd.gov/rules/DisplayRule.aspx?Rule=20:48:05:01). They take their certification examinations through the National Board for Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA).
The APRN Application Process
The South Dakota Board requires fingerprint-based criminal background checks. Fingerprints may be made at a local law enforcement agency. However, the applicant will need to use Board-issued cards. Prospective licensees may make requests for fingerprinting packets by either telephone or email.
Application forms can be downloaded from the Board website (https://doh.sd.gov/boards/nursing/licensure.aspx). There are separate application packets for the different advanced practice roles.
Although some text is different, there are similarities in the application process.
The applicant will need several primary source documents.
The licensing agency requires official transcripts. The applicant may utilize the transcript request form or request that transcripts be sent electronically to the email address in the application packet.
The applicant will also have the school fill out a verification form confirming that the program met requirements.
The Board also requires primary source verification of successful examination or current certification. The certification verification process may vary by organization.
An RN who is licensed (and holds residency) in another nurse compact state will provide a copy of his or her current license.
Applicants who answer “yes” to potentially disqualifying questions (for example, disciplinary history) will be required to providing explanations and supporting documentation.
Nurse midwife and nurse practitioner applications include additional paperwork to be signed by collaborating or supervising physician(s).
The application fee is currently $100 for all advanced practice categories.
The timeline for issuance is typically four to six weeks.
Temporary Permits
Advanced practice nurses in all categories may request temporary permits. In order to be eligible for temporary credentialing, a new graduate will need to test promptly after graduation. A permit can be issued to a candidate who is awaiting examination or one who is awaiting examination results. The Board will require confirmation from the certifying organization.
An endorsement applicant will need to include a copy of his or her state license as well as a copy of the qualifying national certification.
The temporary permit carries a $25 fee.
An applicant may be eligible for temporary credentialing after fingerprints have been received.
Renewal Requirements
An advanced practice nurse will provide evidence of continue certification at the time or renewal.
Additional Information
Information about APRN licensure is available from the South Dakota Board of Nursing (https://doh.sd.gov/boards/nursing/). The Board can be reached by telephone at (605) 362-2760.
The Nurse Practitioner Association of South Dakota is an additional professional resource (http://npasd.org).
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