South Dakota does not require continuing education for RN license renewal. Instead, the South Dakota Board of Nursing requires RNs to meet a practice-hour competency standard: at least 140 practice hours in the prior 12 months or 480 hours in the prior six years. Nurses who cannot verify those hours must complete a Board-approved RN refresher course (80 hours of self-study theory plus 80 hours of supervised clinical). Licenses renew every two years. Below is what you need to know.
No mandatory CE
South Dakota does not require continuing education to renew an RN license.
140 / 480 practice hours
140 hours in the prior 12 months or 480 hours in the prior six years.
Refresher alternative
Nurses without enough practice hours complete an 80+80-hour refresher course.
Biennial renewal
South Dakota RN licenses renew every two years.
Does South Dakota require CE for RNs?
No. South Dakota does not require continuing education for RN renewal. Instead, RNs demonstrate competency through practice hours.
Practice-hour competency
RNs must document at least 140 practice hours in the prior 12 months or 480 hours in the prior six years. Nurses who cannot verify those hours must complete a Board-approved RN refresher course (80 hours self-study theory plus 80 hours supervised clinical).
Renewal cycle and deadlines
South Dakota RN licenses renew every two years.
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View pricingSouth Dakota Registered Nurses (RN) CME at a glance
Always confirm with your licensing board
South Dakota does not require continuing education for RN license renewal. Instead, RNs must meet a practice-hour competency standard: at least 140 practice hours in the prior 12 months or 480 hours in the prior six years. Nurses who cannot verify the practice hours must complete a Board-approved RN refresher course (80 hours self-study theory plus 80 hours supervised clinical). Licenses renew every two years.
CE requirements change. Confirm current rules with the South Dakota Board of Nursing before relying on these figures.
Source: South Dakota Board of Nursing. Board website · Researched as of 2026-06-01 · CME rules change; this is administrative guidance, not legal or CME-accreditation advice.
Licensed in more than one state?
Nurse Licensure Compact: active. Active. One multistate RN/LPN license from the home state authorizes practice in member states; practice-state requirements (including CE) may still overlay.
Each state license carries its own CME requirement and renewal date — if you hold more than one, you need a plan for each.
Also licensing in South Dakota or beyond?
Our sister teams handle the licensing side with the same concierge service.
South Dakota RN Continuing Education Requirements — Frequently Asked Questions
Does South Dakota require CE for RNs?
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No — South Dakota does not require continuing education for RN renewal.
How do South Dakota RNs show competency?
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Through practice hours — at least 140 in the prior 12 months or 480 in the prior six years — or by completing a Board-approved refresher course.
When do South Dakota RN licenses renew?
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Every two years.
Related
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