New License Application

To practice as a nurse midwife in SD you must possess a license or a temporary permit issued by the Board of Nursing.  A license or temporary permit is required before you can begin orientation at your place of employment. 

Instructions

Plan on 4 – 6 weeks for all required forms to be received at the Board office. After all forms are received, your application will be considered for approval. You will be notified in writing if additional information is required.

• Complete Form 1 - General Application and submit with fee of $100 to the Board office. The fee must accompany form. 
  • Payment must be in the form of a money order payable to SD Board of Nursing. Fees are non-refundable.
  •  If a Temporary Permit is also desired, see Temporary Permit Instructions below.
  • An application is null one year following the date it was received at the Board office.

Requirements for Licensure

Registered Nurse License

• You must have a current, valid, unencumbered South Dakota RN license or temporary permit. 
• If not, apply for a South Dakota RN License
• Or – provide the license number of a compact RN license from your primary state of residence (where you hold a driver’s license, pay taxes, and/or vote). 
  • SD is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC).

Criminal Background Check

• All applicants for licensure must submit a full set of fingerprints to obtain a state and federal criminal background check (CBC). 
• The fingerprint card packet and instructions will be mailed to the address provided on your application.

Transcript

• Submit a transcript from each applicable college, university, or program you attended and completed course work for your nurse midwife role.
  • The college that issued the degree must include the date the degree was conferred or awarded and the APRN role and population focus area. 
• Complete the college’s online transcript request process, have the transcript electronically sent directly to: sdbon@state.sd.us OR – Complete the Transcript Request Form (Form 2 in the Application), send to the Office of the Registrar. 

Certification Verification

Primary source verification of successfully passing the nurse midwife certification examination offered by the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) and maintaining current certification with the AMCB is required for licensure and renewal in SD. Refer to AMCB’s website to request primary source verification of your certification status be sent directly to the Board office.

Practice Verification

• All applicants are required to practice a minimum of 1,040 hours as a licensed CNM to practice without a collaborative agreement.
• The 1,040 practice hours must be in the role of a licensed nurse midwife within the preceding five years.
• Applicants may count licensed practice hours from other jurisdictions/states.
• Submit the Practice Verification Form (or Form 3 in the Application) to verify licensed practice hours.

Instructions for Temporary Permit

 A temporary permit is valid only for the period of time it has been issued and may not be renewed. Practice beyond the expiration date is a violation of law and may result in disciplinary action. 

The holder of a temporary permit to practice will use the designation of CNM-App.

Permit issued for License by Examination

A temporary permit by examination is issued to an applicant waiting for results of the first exam they are eligible to take after completion of an approved education program.  The temporary permit will be issued when the following is completed and received in the Board office: 

1. General Application (Form 1) and $100 fee.
2. Temporary Permit Application, (Form 4 in the Application) and $25 fee.
3. Fingerprint cards (see Criminal Background Check)
4. Verification of current RN licensure.
5. Verification of education – Transcript verifying degree was conferred.
6. Verification of examination eligibility: Documentation from AMCB that you are eligible to sit for their exam or that you are awaiting results of the first exam for which you are eligible after graduation.
7. Submit Supervisory Agreement with a SD licensed physician or SD licensed CNM. 
   • Applicants are required to be supervised the first 30 days by direct personal contact (physically present and available).  Thereafter, and until the expiration of temporary permit, supervision must include two, one-half business days per week.  Upon issuance of a permanent CNM license the Supervisory Agreement becomes invalid at which time a Collaborative Agreement must be on file.
8. Submit the Collaborative Agreement with a SD licensed physician or SD licensed CNM. 
   • New CNM licensure applicants are required to practice a minimum of 1,040 hours as a licensed CNM to practice without a collaborative agreement.  Hours practiced on a temporary permit are not licensed CNM practice hours and cannot be included in the minimum 1,040 hours.  

Permit Issued for License by Endorsement

A temporary permit by endorsement is issued to an applicant who holds licensure as a CNM in another state or territory and is awaiting licensure in SD.  The permit becomes invalid 120 days from issuance date. The temporary permit will be issued when the following is completed and received in the Board office: 

1. Application Form 1 and $100 fee.
2. Temporary Permit Application (Form 4 in the Application) and $25 fee.
3. Fingerprint cards (see Criminal Background Check)
4. Verification of current RN licensure.
5. Verification of current CNM licensure. 
6. Verification of current certification by AMCB in role of CNM.  Provide a copy of your current certification card – OR – have primary source verification of current certification sent directly from AMCB to the Board office.
7. Submit Practice Verification Form (Form 3 in the Application).
   • Applicants are required to practice a minimum of 1,040 hours as a licensed CNM to practice without a collaborative agreement.  If you cannot verify 1,040 hours, complete and submit a Collaborative Agreement with a SD licensed physician or SD licensed CNM.