Professions

Medical Professionals

Please note that an application fee only extends an initial license to the next renewal date. Initial licenses do vary in duration. It is the responsibility of all licensees to renew their license before expiration. Failure to renew shall result in automatic forfeiture or suspension of the license by statute. Licenses which have forfeited are not automatically entitled to renew.

 

Active-duty military personnel and spouses

Active-duty military personnel and spouses who have a license in another state and have a military transfer to the state of South Dakota have two options for licensure:

  1. South Dakota full licensure for active-duty military personnel and spouses (SDCL 36-1B-1 and applicable SD statute for profession); or
  2. Temporary licensure for servicemembers and military spouses relocating due to military orders (50 U.S.C. 4025a and SDCL 36-1B)

Applicants who receive temporary licenses pursuant to 50 U.S.C. 4025a are eligible to practice in South Dakota only as long as they are residing in the state because of military transfer orders. Applicants who receive a permanent license pursuant to their profession’s applicable South Dakota statute remain eligible to practice and eligible to renew that license even if they are no longer in South Dakota pursuant to military orders.

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  1. South Dakota full licensure for active-duty military personnel and spouses (SDCL 36-1B-1 and applicable SD statute for profession)
  • Eligibility Requirements:

          (1) Holds licensure in good standing issued by another state or the District of Columbia;

          (2) Is active-duty member of the armed forces of the United States or the spouse of an active-duty member of the armed forces of the United States; and

          (3) Is the subject of a military transfer to South Dakota

  • Application Process: Requires specific documentation, including:
        • Copy of military orders
        • Marriage license (for spouses only)
        • Educational credentials
        • Has passed the required profession examination.
        • Verification of other state licenses
        • Criminal Background Investigation (if required by the SD practice act)
        • Fees: None
        • Scope of Practice: South Dakota profession’s practice act
        • Renewal: standard cycle according to profession’s practice act.
        • Continuity: Remains licensed at the end of the military orders. Applicable renewal fees begin to apply.

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2. Temporary Licensure for Servicemembers and Military Spouses Relocating Due to Military Orders (50 U.S.C. 4025a and SDCL 36-1B).

Active duty servicemembers or spouses of active duty servicemembers who relocate to South Dakota because of military orders and who are licensed as their applicable profession in another jurisdiction.

  • Eligibility Requirements – the applicant must be:

          (1) in good standing with the licensing authority that issued their “covered license” and every other licensing authority that has issued licensure valid at a similar scope of practice; and

          (2) must have actively used the covered license at some point during the two years immediately preceding the applicant’s relocation to South Dakota.

  • Application Process: Requires specific documentation, including:
        • Copy of military orders
        • Marriage License (for spouses only)
        • Evidence of good standing with the licensing authority that issued the covered license and the licensing authorities that issued all other licenses issued to the applicant valid at a similar scope of practice.
        • Fees: None
        • Exam Type: None
        • License Type: The license issued is valid at a similar scope of practice to the scope of practice in the jurisdiction issuing the covered license and is valid for the duration of the military orders. By obtaining a license under 50 U.S.C. 4025a the servicemember or spouse of a servicemember submits to the authority of the Board for purposes of standards of practice, discipline, and fulfillment of continuing education requirements. 
        • Renewal: Follows the standard renewal cycle of the applicable profession with verification of active orders as a prerequisite to renewal.
        • Continuity: Automatically expires at the end of the servicemember's orders

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Key Considerations for Decision Making:

  • Scope of Practice: The traditional route (applicable SD statute for profession) offers a full scope of practice as per South Dakota standards, whereas under 50 U.S.C. a 4025a, the license issued is valid at a similar scope of practice to the scope of practice in the jurisdiction issuing the covered license and is valid only for the duration of the military orders. 

 

  • Urgency and Flexibility: The 50 U.S.C. 4025a pathway might be quicker and more flexible for those recently relocated and needing to practice immediately.

 

  • Long-Term Career Plans: Consideration of where the servicemember or spouse intends to settle long-term may influence the choice; a license issued under the applicable South Dakota laws could be more beneficial if South Dakota is the intended long-term home.

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To start the application process:

  1. Create a MySD Account.
  2. Enter preferred email and click “sign up now.”
  3. Follow the account creation steps.
  4. Once the account is created, click “start a new application.”

Tutorials to help through the account creation and application process can be found at: https://www.sdbmoe.gov/sdbmoe-training-tutorials/