Transferring your teaching license from Minnesota to South Dakota
South Dakota evaluates out-of-state teaching credentials on a case-by-case basis. Expect a credential review by South Dakota Department of Education and additional South Dakota-specific exam or coursework requirements before a full license is issued.
See 358 open teaching jobs in South Dakota →Your current credential (Minnesota)
- Issuing authority
- Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB)
- License type
- Tier 1 License (non-traditional) or Tier 2 License (traditional) (1 year (Tier 1) or renewable (Tier 2))
- Reciprocity policy
- Minnesota evaluates out-of-state licenses individually. Tier 2 may be issued to teachers with at least 2 years of out-of-state teaching experience.
South Dakota certification
- Issuing authority
- South Dakota Department of Education
- License you'll earn
- Initial Certificate (5 years)
- Typical timeline
- 12–18 months traditional; Alternative Certificate allows classroom entry while completing requirements
- South Dakota reciprocity policy
- South Dakota participates in the NASDTEC compact. Out-of-state educators with valid certificates may receive a South Dakota certificate with verification of content knowledge.
Exams typically required in South Dakota
Out-of-state applicants are usually asked to demonstrate content-area knowledge on South Dakota's preferred exams, even when basic-skills testing is waived through reciprocity. Plan for one or more of the following:
- Praxis Core Academic Skills (or qualifying ACT/SAT/GRE scores)Basic reading, writing, and mathematics
- Praxis Subject AssessmentsContent knowledge for your certification area
Steps to transfer your license
- Verify your Minnesota credential is current. South Dakota will request a verification of your active Tier 1 License (non-traditional) or Tier 2 License (traditional) from Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB).
- Apply through South Dakota Department of Education. The application packet typically includes official transcripts, prior teaching service verification, and a fingerprint-based background check.
- Sit for any South Dakota-specific exams. Most states honor out-of-state content-area exams when scores meet their cutoff, but South Dakota may require an additional jurisprudence or state-specific assessment.
- Apply to South Dakota districts that match your endorsement. We're currently tracking 358 active openings — browse South Dakota teaching jobs to start identifying districts.