Transferring your teaching license from South Dakota to North Dakota
Both South Dakota and North Dakota participate in the NASDTEC interstate agreement, which standardizes how states evaluate out-of-state teaching credentials. Educators relocating from South Dakota can generally expect a streamlined review process, though state-specific content exams or coursework may still be required.
See 219 open teaching jobs in North Dakota →Your current credential (South Dakota)
- Issuing authority
- South Dakota Department of Education
- License type
- Initial Certificate (5 years)
- 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.
North Dakota certification
- Issuing authority
- North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board (ESPB)
- License you'll earn
- Initial License (2 years)
- Typical timeline
- 12–18 months traditional; Alternative Authorization allows immediate classroom entry with coursework over 3 years
- North Dakota reciprocity policy
- North Dakota participates in the NASDTEC compact. Out-of-state educators with valid certificates may receive a North Dakota license with limited additional requirements.
Exams typically required in North Dakota
Out-of-state applicants are usually asked to demonstrate content-area knowledge on North 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 licensure area
Steps to transfer your license
- Verify your South Dakota credential is current. North Dakota will request a verification of your active Initial Certificate from South Dakota Department of Education.
- Apply through North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board (ESPB). The application packet typically includes official transcripts, prior teaching service verification, and a fingerprint-based background check.
- Sit for any North Dakota-specific exams. Most states honor out-of-state content-area exams when scores meet their cutoff, but North Dakota may require an additional jurisprudence or state-specific assessment.
- Apply to North Dakota districts that match your endorsement. We're currently tracking 219 active openings — browse North Dakota teaching jobs to start identifying districts.