LPN Licensure by Equivalency

Eligibility

Only applicants who meet one of the following conditions will be considered for LPN licensure by equivalency: 

1. RN Graduate or RN Partial Program Completion Applicant: An individual who completed an RN education program but did not pass the NCLEX-RN exam after at least two attempts. Or an RN student who completed a partial RN education program and is not currently enrolled and cannot re-enroll because of failure to progress in the RN program.
2. Military Applicant: An individual who completed Air Force BMTCP 4NO51 – Skill Level 5 or above.
   • No other military education will be accepted.
   • An individual who completed an Associate of Applied Science Practical Nursing Technology program from the Community College of the Air Force (Air University) may apply on the LPN Examination or Endorsement Application.

Application Requirements

To be made eligible to take the NCLEX-PN examination, the following steps must be completed:

1. Submit the LPN Licensure by Equivalency Application and fee.
2. Submit nursing education information as listed below.  You may be required to submit additional documentation as needed to determine eligibility.
   • RN Graduate and RN Partial Program Completion Applicant: An official transcript must be mailed directly to the South Dakota Board of Nursing from your RN nursing program or a transcript clearinghouse. If using a transcript clearinghouse that offers email services, your transcript must be sent to sdnclex@state.sd.us.
   • RN Graduate and RN Partial Program Completion Applicant: If you completed courses in a state other than South Dakota, you must send to the South Dakota Board of Nursing, sdnclex@state.sd.us, course descriptions/syllabi documents that identify the inclusion of the following concepts in the educational program: anatomy  & physiology, microbiology, nutrition, pharmacology, interpersonal relations, communication & collaboration, cultural diversity, basic concepts of clinical judgment (nursing process) & professional responsibilities, legal & basis of nursing practice, scope of practice, nursing history, trends in nursing & healthcare delivery.
   • RN Partial Program Completion Applicant: Download the LPN Equivalency: Verification of Education Form and send to your RN Nursing Education Program Representative to complete and return to the South Dakota Board of Nursing at sdnclex@state.sd.us.
   • Military Applicant: An official transcript must be sent directly to the South Dakota Board of Nursing to sdnclex@state.sd.us from the Community College of the Air Force  (Air University) that shows you completed Air Force BMTCP 4NO51 – Skill Level 5 or above. If using a transcript clearinghouse that offers email services, your transcript must be sent to sdnclex@state.sd.us.
   • Military Applicant: Download the LPN Equivalency: Verification of Military Training & Education Form and send to your Military Representative to complete and return to the South Dakota Board of Nursing at sdnclex@state.sd.us.
3. Following review of application materials, you will be contacted as to whether you meet the eligibility criteria for LPN licensure by equivalency.
4. If you are made eligible, you will be required to complete an independent learning course on the LPN role, South Dakota scope of practice, and LPN nursing responsibilities. Further instructions will be emailed to you.
5. Following successful completion of the independent learning course, you must complete a criminal background check (CBC) using fingerprint cards sent to you from the SDBON.
6. After the above steps are completed you may register to take the NCLEX-PN examination with Pearson VUE.
7. After being made eligible to test by Board staff, Pearson VUE will e-mail you an Authorization to Test (ATT).
   • The Board will not provide you with the ATT. 
   • Follow the directions of Pearson VUE to schedule your appointment to test.

NCLEX Results & Issuance of License

NCLEX results will not be given by the board staff via email or phone.  After the Board receives the official results from Pearson Vue, your single-state LPN license will be issued and can be verified on your Nurse Portal.