New License Application

To practice as a clinical nurse specialist 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

RN 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 CNS 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 a CNS certification examination and maintaining current certification is required for licensure and renewal in SD. Refer to the certification body's website to request primary source verification of your certification status be sent directly to the Board office.

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 CNS-app after his/her name.

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. Form 1 - General Application and $100 fee.
2. Temporary Permit Application, (Form 3 in General 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 your certification body that you are eligible to sit for their exam or are awaiting results of the first exam for which you are eligible after graduation.

Permit Issued for License by Endorsement

A temporary permit by endorsement is issued to an applicant who holds licensure as a CNS in another state or territory and is awaiting licensure in SD.  The permit becomes invalid 90 days from issuance date. The temporary permit will be issued when the following is completed and received in the Board office: 

1. Form 1 - General Application and $100 fee.
2. Temporary Permit Application, (Form 3 in General Application) and $25 fee.
3. Fingerprint cards (see Criminal Background Check)
4. Verification of current RN licensure.
5. Verification of current CNS licensure. 
6. Verification of current certification in role of CNS.  Provide a copy of your current certification card – OR – have primary source verification of current certification sent directly from the certification body to the Board office.