South Dakota

South Dakota has a universal license recognition law. As a New Mexico-licensed professional, your license is generally recognized in South Dakota, subject to meeting basic eligibility requirements. This is the strongest form of license portability available. Universal recognition with strong compact participation; one of the most portable states.

South Dakota is a member of 7 compacts: Nurse Licensure Compact, Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, Physical Therapy Compact, EMS Compact (REPLICA), Counseling Compact, Occupational Therapy Compact. You share 3 of these with New Mexico: Nurse Licensure Compact, Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, Counseling Compact.

Both New Mexico and South Dakota are members of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). If you hold a multistate nursing license from New Mexico, you can practice in South Dakota without obtaining a separate license.

Teaching license portability from New Mexico to South Dakota: NASDTEC member; reciprocal certification with most states. Most states participate in the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement, but specific requirements vary by state and endorsement area.

South Dakota supports PE license comity through NCEES. Licensed Professional Engineers from New Mexico can apply for licensure by comity, which is a streamlined process using your NCEES Record. This typically requires verifying your education, exam passage, and experience meet South Dakota's requirements.

Universal recognition covers military spouses; automatic recognition. Under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), updated December 2024, all states are now required to recognize valid professional licenses from other states for military personnel and their spouses.

Expanded compact memberships; universal recognition broadly applied.

For the most current licensing requirements and compact participation details, visit the official South Dakota licensing page at https://dlr.sd.gov/bdcomm/. Requirements and compact memberships may change as new legislation is enacted.