South Dakota CNA Certification and Licensing

South Dakota CNA Program Basics

South Dakota’s board of nursing regulates all CNA training courses as well as registry entry. Numerous training programs have been approved throughout the state, including a few online courses. While most states in the U.S do not allow online training, South Dakota is one of the few that even offer an online training course through the state’s board of nursing website. However, online training is restricted for facility use and a fee of about $200 per student is required. This amount covers the entire training course and all necessary study books. Other training programs are offered to potential nurse aides by employers, community colleges and the National Red Cross. South Dakota offers a multitude of training options to all individuals who are interested in a career as a CNA.

South Dakota CNA Training Requirements

  • The state of South Dakota requires that all courses meet the federal statutes for CNA training.
  • Every CNA student must complete at least 75 hours of approved training before sitting for the state’s final CNA exam.
  • The program allocates sufficient hours for classroom studies and clinical training.
  • Classroom topics cover all essential health care ideas and prepare students for the clinical part of the training.
  • Although the hands on training portion is usually shorter than the classroom instruction, it is more intense, both mentally and physically for students.
  • During the near end of the course, trainees will interact with real patients and provide actual care.
  • The clinical training is administered under the supervision of a Registered Nurse.

South Dakota CNA Examination Information

  • The CNA course will end with a final assessment.
  • If the students have completed the required amount of training hours, they will be permitted to challenge the examination.
  • The final examination has two parts – a written test and a clinical skills evaluation.
  • The written portion is a multiple choice- type of test and examinees must receive a passing grade before they are allowed to move on to the clinical skills section.
  • The clinical skills evaluation will require the students to perform five hands on exercises.
  • Student aides will be given three chances to pass the assessment, if they fail three times consecutively, the training course must be retaken.

South Dakota CNA Certification Reciprocity

  • As with other states, South Dakota allows CNAs from other states to transfer certification.
  • The transferring CNA must file an application for interstate endorsement.
  • All out of state nurse aides must have a clean criminal record, a certification in good standing which must be still active on the previous state’s registry.
  • Also, a physical examination may be performed as all nurse aides that wish to work in South Dakota must be in good health and physical condition.
  • These CNAs from other states will also need to provide proof of a vaccination record.
  • Some employers offer certain vaccinations to their CNA employees at no cost.