Nursing License from New York to South Dakota: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: South Dakota Board of Nursing ↗
A nursing license transfers from New York to South Dakota by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the South Dakota Board of Nursing, verify your New York license, and meet South Dakota's endorsement requirements. NCLEX is not retaken; your license is verified through Nursys.
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Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
This direction has a silver lining. New York is outside the compact, so you have been carrying a single-state license — but South Dakota is a member. Endorse into South Dakota, establish it as your primary residence, meet the uniform licensure requirements, and the license you receive is multistate: one application turns into practice privileges across the whole compact.
What changes, New York → South Dakota
| New York (current) | South Dakota (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| NLC status | Licensure by endorsement | NLC member — multistate license honored |
| Application fee | $143 (licensure and first registration fee (Form 1); optional limited permit $35; NYSED RN checklists list no fingerprint background check) | $100 (endorsement application (ARSD 20:48:06:01); optional temporary permit $25; fingerprint background check fee paid separately) |
| Processing time | NYSED does not publish processing times for RN licensure applications | board does not publish an endorsement processing timeframe; temporary permit available while the background check and endorsement are pending |
| Licensing authority | New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions | South Dakota Board of Nursing |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — South Dakota sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm South Dakota's current requirements on the South Dakota Board of Nursing website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the South Dakota Board of Nursing (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
- Submit fingerprints on board-provided cards for a state and federal criminal background check through the SD Division of Criminal Investigation.
- Request license verification through Nursys from your original state of licensure.
- Show at least 140 hours of nursing employment in any 12-month period within the past 6 years, or meet reentry standards (480 hours over 6 years or a board-approved refresher course).
- Apply online through the SD Board of Nursing Nurse Portal.
- Pay the fees ($100 (endorsement application (ARSD 20:48:06:01); optional temporary permit $25; fingerprint background check fee paid separately)) and allow board does not publish an endorsement processing timeframe; temporary permit available while the background check and endorsement are pending.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does South Dakota accept a New York nursing license?
A nursing license transfers from New York to South Dakota by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the South Dakota Board of Nursing, verify your New York license, and meet South Dakota's endorsement requirements. NCLEX is not retaken; your license is verified through Nursys.
Do I retake the NCLEX moving from New York to South Dakota?
No — the NCLEX transfers everywhere. NCLEX is not retaken; your license is verified through Nursys.
What does the move cost?
$100 (endorsement application (ARSD 20:48:06:01); optional temporary permit $25; fingerprint background check fee paid separately) (endorsement application (ARSD 20:48:06:01); optional temporary permit $25; fingerprint background check fee paid separately).
How long will it take?
board does not publish an endorsement processing timeframe; temporary permit available while the background check and endorsement are pending — board does not publish an endorsement processing timeframe; temporary permit available while the background check and endorsement are pending.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- SD Board of Nursing — New LPN/RN License Application ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- ARSD 20:48:06:01 — Fees required of registered nurses ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- ARSD 20:48:03:07 — Application for license by endorsement ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- NYSED Office of the Professions — RN Pathway #3 (licensed in another state) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- NYSED Office of the Professions — RN License Requirements ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- NYSED Office of the Professions — How do I apply for Licensure by Endorsement? ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]