CNA License in South Dakota

South Dakota uses Headmaster through D&S Diversified Technologies to administer their CNA competency examinations. This test is composed of a knowledge section and a skills section. Students must take both sections of the test on the same day initially. Both sections must be passed before applicants will be issued certifications. Those who fail will only need to repeat the part that they failed. The cost to take the knowledge test is $70.50 for the written option or $80.50 for the oral option. The skills test costs $89.

Students will begin with the knowledge examination. This test may be performed with pencil and paper or online depending on the testing site. Students who have difficulty reading English or who have documented disabilities may request the oral version of this test when they apply. The knowledge examination tests CNA theory over nine subject areas. It has 75 multiple-choice questions that must be answered in 90 minutes or less. Students must score at least 75% to pass.

Next, students will take the skills test, which is a hands-on test performed in front of an Evaluator. Students will be asked to perform five CNA skills, one of which is always hand washing. The other four tasks are picked at random on the test day. They must score at least 75 percent on each of the skills and must perform all of the critical steps. They will have 30 minutes to complete this section.

CNAs who are moving to South Dakota may be able to transfer their certifications into South Dakota with no fee. They must have active licenses and be in good standing with their states. CNAs will fill out the top half of the Endorsement Application and send the form to the state where they were first registered. Former residents of Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, New York and North Carolina will send the form to the South Dakota CNA Registry. CNAs must include proof of completing a training program and competency evaluation and documentation of having worked as a CNA within the past 24 months. CNAs can work in South Dakota facilities for up to 60 days while they wait to be added to the Registry.

South Dakota CNAs must renew their certifications every two years to remain active. CNAs can renew as soon as 90 days before their expiration dates. To renew, they must prove that they have worked during the prior two years, and they must be in good standing with the state. Following renewal, CNAs will be able to print their certifications from the state’s Website. There is no fee for renewal. CNAs who do not renew in time will have lapsed licenses. Licenses that have lapsed for fewer than two years may be reinstated when the CNA show that he or she has worked in the past two years. CNAs with licensed lapsed more than two years will be required to retrain and/or retest.

South Dakota Endorsement Application
CNA Renewal Form

Links
South Dakota Department of Health
South Dakota Board of Nursing
Nurse Aide Registry
Verify your CNA license

Contacts
SOUTH DAKOTA BOARD OF NURSING
UNLICENSED ASSISTIVE PERSONNEL REGISTRY
4305 S Louise Ave Suite 201
Sioux Falls SD 57106
Phone: (605) 362-2760
Fax: (605) 362-2768