Nursing License from South Dakota to Vermont: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Vermont State Board of Nursing (Office of Professional Regulation) ↗
Yes — both South Dakota and Vermont are members of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). If South Dakota is your primary state of residence and you hold a multistate license, you can practice in Vermont now; if you are moving your residence to Vermont, apply for licensure by endorsement there and declare Vermont your new primary state of residence — your multistate privilege continues.
Verify this exact pair in the checker
Same data, interactive — with share link and board links.
Verdict
Compact multistate — already covered
This is the move the compact was built for. Both South Dakota and Vermont are NLC members, so the real question is not "does my license transfer" but "is this a relocation or just work". Working in Vermont while living in South Dakota — travel contract, remote monitoring, per-diem across the border — needs nothing: your multistate license already covers it. Relocating to Vermont means your primary state of residence changes, and the compact requires you to endorse into Vermont and declare it your new home state. You keep practicing on the old privilege the entire time.
What changes, South Dakota → Vermont
| South Dakota (current) | Vermont (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| NLC status | NLC member — multistate license honored | NLC member — multistate license honored |
| Application fee | $100 (endorsement application (ARSD 20:48:06:01); optional temporary permit $25; fingerprint background check fee paid separately) | $150 (endorsement application (OPR fee schedule updated 7/1/2025); + $100 multistate (compact) specialty; fingerprinting fee paid to vendor) |
| Processing time | board does not publish an endorsement processing timeframe; temporary permit available while the background check and endorsement are pending | 1–2 weeks (OPR states 3-5 business days once documents are complete; fingerprint results can take up to 12 weeks - a 90-day provisional license is available while pending) |
| Licensing authority | South Dakota Board of Nursing | Vermont State Board of Nursing (Office of Professional Regulation) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Vermont 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 Vermont: apply for licensure by endorsement with the Vermont State Board of Nursing (Office of Professional Regulation) when you move.
- Declare Vermont as your new primary state of residence on that application.
- Complete Vermont'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 Vermont accept a South Dakota nursing license?
Yes — both South Dakota and Vermont are members of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). If South Dakota is your primary state of residence and you hold a multistate license, you can practice in Vermont now; if you are moving your residence to Vermont, apply for licensure by endorsement there and declare Vermont your new primary state of residence — your multistate privilege continues.
Do I retake the NCLEX moving from South Dakota to Vermont?
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 Vermont: $150 (endorsement application (OPR fee schedule updated 7/1/2025); + $100 multistate (compact) specialty; fingerprinting fee paid to vendor) (endorsement application (OPR fee schedule updated 7/1/2025); + $100 multistate (compact) specialty; fingerprinting fee paid to vendor).
How long will it take?
Practice can continue immediately on the multistate privilege; the residence-change endorsement processes in the background (1–2 weeks (OPR states 3-5 business days once documents are complete; fingerprint results can take up to 12 weeks - a 90-day provisional license is available while pending)).
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- Vermont OPR — Nursing Applications & Renewals ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Vermont OPR — RN Application Instructions (Feb 2026) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Vermont OPR — Initial Licensing/Renewal Fees & Dates (updated 7/1/2025) ↗ (accessed 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)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]