Nursing License from Vermont to South Dakota: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: South Dakota Board of Nursing ↗
Yes — both Vermont and South Dakota are members of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). If Vermont is your primary state of residence and you hold a multistate license, you can practice in South Dakota now; if you are moving your residence to South Dakota, apply for licensure by endorsement there and declare South Dakota your new primary state of residence — your multistate privilege continues.
Verify this exact pair in the checker
Same data, interactive — with share link and board links.
Verdict
Compact multistate — already covered
This is the move the compact was built for. Both Vermont and South Dakota are NLC members, so the real question is not "does my license transfer" but "is this a relocation or just work". Working in South Dakota while living in Vermont — travel contract, remote monitoring, per-diem across the border — needs nothing: your multistate license already covers it. Relocating to South Dakota means your primary state of residence changes, and the compact requires you to endorse into South Dakota and declare it your new home state. You keep practicing on the old privilege the entire time.
What changes, Vermont → South Dakota
| Vermont (current) | South Dakota (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| NLC status | NLC member — multistate license honored | NLC member — multistate license honored |
| Application fee | $150 (endorsement application (OPR fee schedule updated 7/1/2025); + $100 multistate (compact) specialty; fingerprinting fee paid to vendor) | $100 (endorsement application (ARSD 20:48:06:01); optional temporary permit $25; fingerprint background check fee paid separately) |
| Processing time | 1–2 weeks (OPR states 3-5 business days once documents are complete; fingerprint results can take up to 12 weeks - a 90-day provisional license is available while pending) | board does not publish an endorsement processing timeframe; temporary permit available while the background check and endorsement are pending |
| Licensing authority | Vermont State Board of Nursing (Office of Professional Regulation) | 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 your current license is an active multistate license in good standing (check it in the verification system).
- If you are moving your primary residence to South Dakota: apply for licensure by endorsement with the South Dakota Board of Nursing when you move.
- Declare South Dakota as your new primary state of residence on that application.
- Complete South Dakota's fingerprint/background check requirement if requested.
- Keep practicing — your multistate privilege remains valid during the transition (do not let the old license lapse before the new one issues).
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does South Dakota accept a Vermont nursing license?
Yes — both Vermont and South Dakota are members of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). If Vermont is your primary state of residence and you hold a multistate license, you can practice in South Dakota now; if you are moving your residence to South Dakota, apply for licensure by endorsement there and declare South Dakota your new primary state of residence — your multistate privilege continues.
Do I retake the NCLEX moving from Vermont to South Dakota?
No — the NCLEX transfers everywhere. NCLEX is not retaken; your license is verified through Nursys.
What does the move cost?
If you are only working across the border, nothing. If you are relocating your residence to South Dakota: $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?
Practice can continue immediately on the multistate privilege; the residence-change endorsement processes in the background (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)
- Vermont OPR — Nursing Applications & Renewals ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Vermont OPR — RN Application Instructions (Feb 2026) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Vermont OPR — Initial Licensing/Renewal Fees & Dates (updated 7/1/2025) ↗ (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]