Pharmacist / South Dakota
2026 data South Dakota board official source

South Dakota Pharmacist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

State-board requirements, fees, and renewal cycle drawn from official regulator records.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Dispenses medications and counsels patients. Requires PharmD degree.

What the South Dakota data shows for Pharmacists

South Dakota sets the entry bar for pharmacists at 4,122 training hours and a passing score on NAPLEX and MPJE. 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 "Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)".

Budget $120 to get started, plus $116 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 30 hours of continuing education are due every 2-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

On reciprocity, pharmacists should know: NAPLEX results recognized nationwide — state law exam differs.

Licensing Ease Score

D
Licensing Ease Score
43/100
Pharmacist · 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
4,122 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee D
$120
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden D
$58/yr
$116 every 2 years
Continuing Education F
15.0 hrs/yr
30 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in South Dakota

Education / Training Hours
Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)
4,122 hours
Exam Requirement
NAPLEX and MPJE
Required
Initial License Fee
$120
Renewal Fee
$116
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
30 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Pharmacist 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 Pharmacist in South Dakota? ▼
In South Dakota, the license path calls for 4122 education/training hours, a passing score on NAPLEX and MPJE, and a $120 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Pharmacist in South Dakota? ▼
Certification as a pharmacist in South Dakota means clearing the state's checklist: 4122 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The South Dakota licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Pharmacist license to South Dakota from another state? ▼
For pharmacists, the reciprocity landscape looks like this: NAPLEX results recognized nationwide — state law exam differs. 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 Pharmacist licensing? ▼
South Dakota does require a background check before issuing a pharmacist license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Pharmacist in South Dakota? ▼
Licensed pharmacists in South Dakota must complete 30 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $116.

Related Guides

What to do with this pharmacist license

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

  • See how South Dakota's pharmacist requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Pharmacist in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state pharmacist 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.