Paramedic / South Dakota
2026 data South Dakota board official source

South Dakota Paramedic License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

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Provides advanced emergency medical care in the field.

What the South Dakota data shows for Paramedics

South Dakota sets the entry bar for paramedics at 1,265 training hours and a passing score on NREMT Paramedic Exam. A background check is a standard part of the process, and applicants must be 18 or older. The credential is administered under South Dakota's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Paramedic Training Program".

The initial price tag is $66, and renewal costs $62 every 2 years. Maintaining the license requires 72 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

On reciprocity, paramedics should know: Interstate EMS Compact: 30+ states.

Licensing Ease Score

C
Licensing Ease Score
56/100
Paramedic · South Dakota

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
1,265 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee A-
$66
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden B
$31/yr
$62 every 2 years
Continuing Education F
36.0 hrs/yr
72 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in South Dakota

Education / Training Hours
Paramedic Training Program
1,265 hours
Exam Requirement
NREMT Paramedic Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$66
Renewal Fee
$62
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
72 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Paramedic All South Dakota licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with South Dakota licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Paramedic in South Dakota? ▼
In South Dakota, the license path calls for 1265 education/training hours, a passing score on NREMT Paramedic Exam, and a $66 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Paramedic in South Dakota? ▼
Certification as a paramedic in South Dakota means clearing the state's checklist: 1265 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The South Dakota licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Paramedic license to South Dakota from another state? ▼
For paramedics, the reciprocity landscape looks like this: Interstate EMS Compact: 30+ states. Many professions are also covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability between states. Contact the South Dakota licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does South Dakota require a background check for Paramedic licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the paramedic licensing process in South Dakota. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.
What are the continuing education requirements for Paramedic in South Dakota? ▼
South Dakota ties continued paramedic licensure to 72 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $62 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this paramedic license

Paramedic in South Dakota, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a paramedic-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how South Dakota's paramedic requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Paramedic in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state paramedic license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how South Dakota's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. South Dakota overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the South Dakota licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.