Nursing License from Iowa to South Dakota: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: South Dakota Board of Nursing ↗
Yes — both Iowa and South Dakota are members of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). If Iowa is your primary state of residence and you hold a multistate license, you can practice in South Dakota now; if you are moving your residence to South Dakota, apply for licensure by endorsement there and declare South Dakota your new primary state of residence — your multistate privilege continues.
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Verdict
Compact multistate — already covered
This is the move the compact was built for. Both Iowa and South Dakota are NLC members, so the real question is not "does my license transfer" but "is this a relocation or just work". Working in South Dakota while living in Iowa — travel contract, remote monitoring, per-diem across the border — needs nothing: your multistate license already covers it. Relocating to South Dakota means your primary state of residence changes, and the compact requires you to endorse into South Dakota and declare it your new home state. You keep practicing on the old privilege the entire time.
What changes, Iowa → South Dakota
| Iowa (current) | South Dakota (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| NLC status | NLC member — multistate license honored | NLC member — multistate license honored |
| Application fee | $119 (board collects $169 total: $119 endorsement application + $50 criminal history background check) | $100 (endorsement application (ARSD 20:48:06:01); optional temporary permit $25; fingerprint background check fee paid separately) |
| Processing time | ~8 weeks (board endorsement instructions state up to 8 weeks depending on application volume and receipt of fingerprint cards, waiver and transcript) | board does not publish an endorsement processing timeframe; temporary permit available while the background check and endorsement are pending |
| Licensing authority | Iowa Board of Nursing | South Dakota Board of Nursing |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — South Dakota sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm your current license is an active multistate license in good standing (check it in the verification system).
- If you are moving your primary residence to South Dakota: apply for licensure by endorsement with the South Dakota Board of Nursing when you move.
- Declare South Dakota as your new primary state of residence on that application.
- Complete South Dakota's fingerprint/background check requirement if requested.
- Keep practicing — your multistate privilege remains valid during the transition (do not let the old license lapse before the new one issues).
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does South Dakota accept a Iowa nursing license?
Yes — both Iowa and South Dakota are members of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). If Iowa is your primary state of residence and you hold a multistate license, you can practice in South Dakota now; if you are moving your residence to South Dakota, apply for licensure by endorsement there and declare South Dakota your new primary state of residence — your multistate privilege continues.
Do I retake the NCLEX moving from Iowa to South Dakota?
No — the NCLEX transfers everywhere. NCLEX is not retaken; your license is verified through Nursys.
What does the move cost?
If you are only working across the border, nothing. If you are relocating your residence to South Dakota: $100 (endorsement application (ARSD 20:48:06:01); optional temporary permit $25; fingerprint background check fee paid separately) (endorsement application (ARSD 20:48:06:01); optional temporary permit $25; fingerprint background check fee paid separately).
How long will it take?
Practice can continue immediately on the multistate privilege; the residence-change endorsement processes in the background (board does not publish an endorsement processing timeframe; temporary permit available while the background check and endorsement are pending).
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- SD Board of Nursing — New LPN/RN License Application ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- ARSD 20:48:06:01 — Fees required of registered nurses ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- ARSD 20:48:03:07 — Application for license by endorsement ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Iowa DIAL — Apply for a Nursing License by Endorsement ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Iowa DIAL — Nursing Licensure Fees and Fee Waivers ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]