Secondary School Teacher / South Dakota
2026 data South Dakota board official source

South Dakota Secondary School Teacher License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

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Instructs students in grades 7-12. Requires state teaching certificate.

What the South Dakota data shows for Secondary School Teachers

South Dakota sets the entry bar for secondary school teachers at board-approved training and a passing score on State Subject Area Exam (Praxis II or equivalent). 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 "Bachelors Degree plus Subject Certification".

The initial price tag is $52, and renewal costs $44 every 5 years. Maintaining the license requires 150 hours of continuing education per 5-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: State-specific — NASDTEC agreements between some states.

Licensing Ease Score

B-
Licensing Ease Score
69/100
Secondary School Teacher · 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 N/A
N/A
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee A
$52
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden A+
$9/yr
$44 every 5 years
Continuing Education F
30.0 hrs/yr
150 hours every 5 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in South Dakota

Education / Training Hours
Bachelors Degree plus Subject Certification
Not specified
Exam Requirement
State Subject Area Exam (Praxis II or equivalent)
Required
Initial License Fee
$52
Renewal Fee
$44
Renewal Cycle
Every 5 years
Continuing Education
150 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Secondary School Teacher 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 Secondary School Teacher in South Dakota? ▼
In South Dakota, the license path calls for, a passing score on State Subject Area Exam (Praxis II or equivalent), and a $52 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Secondary School Teacher in South Dakota? ▼
South Dakota licenses secondary school teachers who complete its requirements and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the South Dakota licensing board.
Can I transfer my Secondary School Teacher license to South Dakota from another state? ▼
For secondary school teachers, the reciprocity landscape looks like this: State-specific — NASDTEC agreements between some 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 Secondary School Teacher licensing? ▼
Yes, South Dakota requires a criminal background check as part of the secondary school teacher licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Secondary School Teacher in South Dakota? ▼
To stay licensed as a secondary school teacher in South Dakota, plan on 150 hours of continuing education per 5-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $44.

Related Guides

What to do with this secondary school teacher license

Secondary School Teacher in South Dakota, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a secondary school teacher-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how South Dakota's secondary school teacher requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Secondary School Teacher in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state secondary school teacher 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.