CNS Advanced Practice

South Dakota Clinical Nurse Specialist License Requirements

Complete guide to becoming a Clinical Nurse Specialist in South Dakota

Processing Time

4-8 weeks

Initial Cost

$100

Renewal Period

2 years

Practice Authority

full

Full Practice Authority

CNS practices autonomously under SDCL 36-9-87 (advanced nursing assessment, interventions, and care management); no career-long collaborative agreement or physician supervision required for nursing practice. CNS has NO prescriptive authority per SD Board of Nursing.

Prescriptive Authority: South Dakota law does not authorize a CNS to prescribe or order medications (SD Board of Nursing, CNS Practice). CNS may, in collaboration with a physician, order/dispense durable medical equipment or therapeutic devices only (SDCL 36-9-87).

1 Education Requirements

Degree Required

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Program Requirements

Complete accredited Clinical Nurse Specialist program
Hold active RN license in the state
Clinical hours as specified by program

2 National Certification

Certification Body

ANCC or AACN

Required

Yes

American Nurses Credentialing Center or American Association of Critical-Care Nurses

3 Fees

Initial Licensure

Application Fee	$100
Total	$100

Renewal

Renewal Fee (every 2 years)

$100

Prerequisites

To become a Clinical Nurse Specialist in South Dakota, you must first hold an active RN license. South Dakota is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), so you may hold a multistate RN license.

RN Requirements View South Dakota RN Requirements