Transfer Your Pharmacy License to South Dakota: Reciprocity & Endorsement (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: South Dakota Board of Pharmacy ↗
A pharmacist license transfers to South Dakota through the NABP Electronic Licensure Transfer Program: NABP verifies your active license and NAPLEX history in your e-Profile and forwards them to the South Dakota Board of Pharmacy, which issues the license once you pass its law exam. NAPLEX is not retaken; license history transfers via the NABP eLTP. South Dakota requires passing the MPJE, South Dakota Edition (minimum scaled score 75), before the reciprocal license is granted. SD had not adopted the Uniform MPJE (UMPJE) as of 2026-07-21.. The NAPLEX is not retaken. South Dakota application fee: $150 (South Dakota reciprocity license fee $150 (non-refundable; waived for deployed active-duty military or spouse); NABP eLTP fees ($300 application + $100 per jurisdiction, 2026-07-21) and the MPJE exam fee are separate).
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Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
The move into South Dakota runs on two steps in sequence. First the NABP eLTP carries your license and NAPLEX record to the South Dakota Board of Pharmacy; then South Dakota's own law exam gates the license. Neither re-tests your pharmacy education — the eLTP is verification, and the law exam covers South Dakota's pharmacy law. Open the e-Profile transfer early, because NABP's verification and scheduling the law exam are the two steps that set your timeline, not the application itself.
No interstate compact for pharmacy; transfer runs through the NABP eLTP and the South Dakota Board of Pharmacy makes the licensure decision. Reciprocity requires having been licensed in another state for more than one year. Fingerprint background-check results are valid only six months. The $150 license fee is waived for deployed active-duty military or their spouse. Intern hours are not required on the reciprocity path (they applied at original licensure). SD still uses the MPJE South Dakota Edition and had not adopted the UMPJE as of 2026-07-21.
South Dakota requirements at a glance
| Exam | NAPLEX is not retaken; license history transfers via the NABP eLTP. South Dakota requires passing the MPJE, South Dakota Edition (minimum scaled score 75), before the reciprocal license is granted. SD had not adopted the Uniform MPJE (UMPJE) as of 2026-07-21. |
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| Additional requirements |
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| Fees | $150 (South Dakota reciprocity license fee $150 (non-refundable; waived for deployed active-duty military or spouse); NABP eLTP fees ($300 application + $100 per jurisdiction, 2026-07-21) and the MPJE exam fee are separate) |
| Processing time | Board does not publish a processing time; after the online application the board mails an information packet and fingerprint cards, then approves MPJE eligibility; the applicant has one year from submission to complete all requirements |
Step by step
- Confirm South Dakota's current requirements on the South Dakota Board of Pharmacy website — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the South Dakota Board of Pharmacy (application linked on this page).
- Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
- Hold an active pharmacist license in another state for more than one year (contact the board if less).
- Complete the NABP eLTP (license transfer) application and register for the MPJE (SD Edition).
- Pass the MPJE, South Dakota Edition (minimum scaled score 75).
- Fingerprint-card criminal background check (results valid only six months).
- Pay the fees ($150 (South Dakota reciprocity license fee $150 (non-refundable; waived for deployed active-duty military or spouse); NABP eLTP fees ($300 application + $100 per jurisdiction, 2026-07-21) and the MPJE exam fee are separate)) and allow Board does not publish a processing time; after the online application the board mails an information packet and fingerprint cards, then approves MPJE eligibility; the applicant has one year from submission to complete all requirements.
Official links
Coming from a specific state?
Direction matters — these guides cover the exact move into South Dakota:
Frequently asked questions
Does my pharmacist license transfer to South Dakota?
A pharmacist license transfers to South Dakota through the NABP Electronic Licensure Transfer Program: NABP verifies your active license and NAPLEX history in your e-Profile and forwards them to the South Dakota Board of Pharmacy, which issues the license once you pass its law exam. NAPLEX is not retaken; license history transfers via the NABP eLTP. South Dakota requires passing the MPJE, South Dakota Edition (minimum scaled score 75), before the reciprocal license is granted. SD had not adopted the Uniform MPJE (UMPJE) as of 2026-07-21.. The NAPLEX is not retaken. South Dakota application fee: $150 (South Dakota reciprocity license fee $150 (non-refundable; waived for deployed active-duty military or spouse); NABP eLTP fees ($300 application + $100 per jurisdiction, 2026-07-21) and the MPJE exam fee are separate).
Do I have to retake the NAPLEX to get licensed in South Dakota?
No — the NAPLEX is a one-time national exam and no board makes you sit it again. NAPLEX is not retaken; license history transfers via the NABP eLTP. South Dakota requires passing the MPJE, South Dakota Edition (minimum scaled score 75), before the reciprocal license is granted. SD had not adopted the Uniform MPJE (UMPJE) as of 2026-07-21..
What does licensing in South Dakota cost an out-of-state pharmacist?
$150 (South Dakota reciprocity license fee $150 (non-refundable; waived for deployed active-duty military or spouse); NABP eLTP fees ($300 application + $100 per jurisdiction, 2026-07-21) and the MPJE exam fee are separate) (South Dakota reciprocity license fee $150 (non-refundable; waived for deployed active-duty military or spouse); NABP eLTP fees ($300 application + $100 per jurisdiction, 2026-07-21) and the MPJE exam fee are separate).
How long does South Dakota take?
Board does not publish a processing time; after the online application the board mails an information packet and fingerprint cards, then approves MPJE eligibility; the applicant has one year from submission to complete all requirements — Board does not publish a processing time; after the online application the board mails an information packet and fingerprint cards, then approves MPJE eligibility; the applicant has one year from submission to complete all requirements.
Which law exam does South Dakota require after an eLTP transfer?
NAPLEX is not retaken; license history transfers via the NABP eLTP. South Dakota requires passing the MPJE, South Dakota Edition (minimum scaled score 75), before the reciprocal license is granted. SD had not adopted the Uniform MPJE (UMPJE) as of 2026-07-21.. The law exam is separate from the NAPLEX and covers South Dakota's own pharmacy law; confirm whether the South Dakota Board of Pharmacy currently gives the MPJE or the Uniform MPJE (verified 2026-07-21).
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- South Dakota Board of Pharmacy — Pharmacist Licensure by Reciprocity, Initial Application Instructions (Rev 9/25) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- South Dakota Board of Pharmacy — Pharmacists licensing requirements ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- NABP — Electronic Licensure Transfer Program (eLTP) ↗ (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]