How to Become a CNA in South Dakota

Becoming a CNA in South Dakota takes four steps: complete a 75-hour state-approved training program, pass the two-part competency exam through Headmaster LLP ($169.50 total), get listed on the South Dakota Nurse Aide Registry, and begin employment. Most people complete training in 2-6 weeks, making South Dakota one of the fastest CNA certification paths in the country.

This guide covers every step of the process: training options with real costs, the exact exam format and fees, reciprocity for CNAs relocating from other states, renewal requirements, and salary data. If you’re still exploring what a CNA does before committing, start there.

What	Details
Training hours required	75 minimum (including 16 clinical)
Training timeline	2-6 weeks (most programs)
Exam cost	$169.50 total (Headmaster LLP)
Background check	~$50 (fingerprint-based)
Reciprocity fee	Free (for CNAs from other states)
Total cost range	~$720-$2,220 (or ~$220 with employer-sponsored training)

How to Become a CNA in South Dakota: Step-by-Step

To get certified as a CNA in South Dakota, follow these four steps:

1. Complete a 75-hour state-approved training program. Programs run 2-6 weeks and must be approved by the SD Board of Nursing. Costs range from $374 (Western Dakota Tech, reported) to $1,380 (Monument Health before reimbursement), with free options through employer-sponsored programs.
2. Pass the Headmaster LLP competency exam. South Dakota uses Headmaster LLP, not Prometric. The two-part exam costs $169.50 total and you get up to three attempts per section.
3. Get listed on the South Dakota Nurse Aide Registry. After passing your exam, your name is submitted to the South Dakota Nurse Aide Registry through SDUAP (South Dakota Unlicensed Assistive Personnel).
4. Begin employment. With your registry listing, you’re eligible to work as a CNA at any SD healthcare facility.

SD CNA Requirements at a Glance

Requirement	South Dakota	National Typical
Training hours	75 hours minimum	75-180 hours
Exam provider	Headmaster LLP	Varies (Prometric, Headmaster, D&S)
Exam cost	$169.50 total	$100-$300
Reciprocity fee	Free	$0-$150
Renewal cycle	Every 2 years	Every 2 years (most states)

South Dakota’s 75-hour minimum ties with the federal floor, which means SD training programs are shorter than most states. For comparison, California requires 160 hours and Maine requires 180 hours, making SD one of the faster paths in the country.

Some employer-sponsored programs will train you for free in exchange for a work commitment. See the programs section below for the full breakdown. If you’re a nursing student who has completed fundamentals of nursing, you may qualify for a training waiver that skips the 75-hour program.

Becoming a CNA is a straightforward process, but the career itself requires more than clinical skills. It requires knowing your limits and your rights. One CNA’s boundary-setting resonated with 153 people in the community:

“I walked in and said I’d leave if they didn’t fix the assignment.”

— CNA advocating for safe staffing, r/cna (153 upvotes)

That kind of professional confidence comes with experience, training, and knowing your rights. Here is how to start building that foundation in South Dakota.

South Dakota CNA Training Requirements

South Dakota requires a minimum of 75 hours of state-approved training, including at least 16 hours of supervised clinical experience with real patients, according to the SD Board of Nursing. That 75-hour minimum matches the federal floor, which is why SD programs typically run just 2-6 weeks. Compare that to California (160 hours) or Maine (180 hours), where programs can stretch to 10-14 weeks.

Your training must be at a state-approved program. For CNA training and certification standards, the SD Board of Nursing maintains the approved provider list. The next section covers every major program in South Dakota with costs, formats, and locations.

Other requirements before you begin:

• Age: 16 years minimum (some employers prefer 18+)
• Education: A high school diploma or GED is recommended but not strictly required for enrollment at all programs
• Background check: Required before you can start clinical hours (see below)
• Immunizations: Program-specific, check with your chosen program before enrolling

Pre-Patient-Contact Training Topics

Before you have any contact with real patients during clinicals, your training program must cover four foundational topics (SD Board of Nursing):

• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Infection control procedures
• Safety and emergency procedures
• Resident rights

This requirement exists to protect both patients and students. You won’t step onto a clinical floor until these topics are complete.

Nursing Student Training Waiver

If you’re enrolled in a nursing program and have completed a fundamentals of nursing course with a grade of C or better, you can apply for a training waiver through the SD Board of Nursing. The waiver lets you skip the 75-hour training program.

The waiver is not a full exemption. You still need to pass both parts of the Headmaster LLP competency exam (the $169.50 knowledge and skills tests). Licensed LPNs and RNs don’t need CNA certification at all. Their nursing licenses already cover CNA-level skills. The waiver is specifically for nursing students who have not yet graduated.

Background Check Requirements

All CNA candidates in South Dakota must complete a fingerprint-based background check through the SD Division of Criminal Investigation before starting clinical hours. The check covers:

• State criminal history (fingerprint-based)
• FBI federal background check
• Central Registry of Child Abuse and Neglect
• Sex Offender Registry

The fee is approximately $50 and is separate from training and exam costs. To start the process: obtain fingerprint cards from your training coordinator or the Board of Nursing, take them to a local law enforcement office (such as your county sheriff) to be fingerprinted, and mail the completed cards with payment to the SD Division of Criminal Investigation. Processing takes 2-4 weeks, so begin as soon as you enroll. Delays here can push back your clinical start date.

Candidates applying for reciprocity from another state do NOT need a new fingerprint background check, a meaningful cost and time savings compared to starting from scratch.

Criminal History and Eligibility

Substantiated findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of resident property will disqualify you from CNA certification. Other criminal convictions are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. If you have a criminal record and are unsure whether it affects your eligibility, contact the SD Board of Nursing for a pre-enrollment eligibility determination before paying for training.

Approved CNA Training Programs in South Dakota

South Dakota’s major CNA programs cluster in Sioux Falls and Rapid City, with access points in Watertown (northeast) and Yankton (southeast). Here is the full landscape, with verified data on every program.

Program	Location	Format	Approximate Cost	Duration	Key Feature
Southeast Technical College	Sioux Falls	Hybrid (online + in-person clinical)	~$278/credit hour + fees	75+ hours	Largest metro program; FAFSA eligible
Monument Health CNA Training	Rapid City	Hybrid (51 hrs online + 8-hr skills review + 16 hrs clinical)	$1,380 ($1,259.50 reimbursed after 1 year)	75 hours	Employer reimbursement; effective cost ~$120.50
Western Dakota Tech	Rapid City	Check with program	As low as $374 (reported; verify)	75 hours	Lowest published cost in SD
Avera Sacred Heart Hospital	Yankton	Self-paced online + 16 hrs clinical	Check with program	75 hours	Self-paced flexibility; Avera Health system
Lake Area Technical College	Watertown	Check with program	Check with program	75 hours	Northeast SD access

A note on “online CNA classes”: South Dakota does not offer fully online CNA certification. State and federal regulations require a minimum of 16 hours of supervised clinical training with real patients. That component can’t move online. Hybrid formats exist where the theory is online, but clinicals are always in-person. For a broader look at states and formats where hybrid options are available, see online CNA classes.

Southeast Technical College (Sioux Falls)

Southeast Technical College offers a hybrid CNA program in Sioux Falls, South Dakota’s largest city (metro population ~200,000). The theory portion is completed online, with in-person clinical hours at area healthcare facilities.

• Cost: ~$278/credit hour plus fees (FAFSA eligible, contact financial aid for current pricing)
• Format: Hybrid (online coursework + in-person clinical)
• Notable: BYOL (bring-your-own-laptop) requirement; confirm device specs before enrolling
• Contact: southeasttech.edu

Monument Health CNA Training (Rapid City)

Monument Health runs a structured 75-hour program in Rapid City with the most clearly documented reimbursement model in South Dakota.

• Cost: $1,380 upfront. Monument Health reimburses $1,259.50 after you complete one year of employment there. Effective cost after reimbursement: ~$120.50
• Format: 51 hours online + 8-hour in-person skills review + 16 hours clinical
• Condition: Reimbursement requires completing one year of employment at a Monument Health facility. Leaving before that point forfeits the reimbursement.
• Contact: monument.health

This is the strongest documented employer-reimbursement path in South Dakota. If you can commit to one year at a Rapid City facility, you’re effectively paying under $150 for training.

Western Dakota Tech (Rapid City)

Western Dakota Tech in Rapid City has reported a program cost as low as $374, the lowest published tuition in the state. Pricing changes each term, so verify directly before planning your budget.

• Contact: wdt.edu

Avera Sacred Heart Hospital (Yankton)

Avera Sacred Heart in Yankton offers a self-paced online theory component paired with 16 hours of in-person clinical. Part of the broader Avera Health system, this program provides southeast SD access for students who can’t travel to Sioux Falls or Rapid City.

• Format: Self-paced online theory + in-person clinical (Yankton)
• Cost: Check with the program. Employer-sponsored pricing may be available through Avera facilities.
• Contact: avera.org

Lake Area Technical College (Watertown)

Lake Area Technical College in Watertown provides northeast South Dakota access for students who can’t reach Sioux Falls or Rapid City. Contact the school directly for current program availability, cost, and format.

• Contact: lakeareatech.edu

Not sure which program fits your schedule and budget? Our guide on how to choose a CNA program walks through the key decision factors.

Employer-Sponsored Free CNA Training in South Dakota

Many nursing homes, long-term care facilities, and hospitals in South Dakota offer free CNA training with a work commitment, typically 6-12 months of employment. Monument Health’s reimbursement model is the most documented version. More commonly, facilities absorb the full training cost with no money changing hands, in exchange for a signed employment commitment.

To find employer-sponsored programs near you, contact local nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and hospitals directly. Ask specifically: (1) Is training fully free or reimbursed after a period? (2) What is the length of the employment commitment? (3) What are the consequences if you leave early? The SD Department of Labor may also connect you with employers offering WIOA-supported training.

This path is especially valuable for career changers who can’t absorb $500-$2,000 upfront for tuition before earning a paycheck.

How to Pay for CNA Training in South Dakota

Training cost is the biggest barrier most CNA candidates face. Here are the available funding paths in South Dakota, ordered from least to most financial barrier.

Employer Sponsorship and Reimbursement

The lowest-cost path is employer-sponsored training. Many South Dakota nursing homes and long-term care facilities offer free training in exchange for an employment commitment. Monument Health’s model is the most documented: you pay $1,380 upfront and receive $1,259.50 back after one year of employment, for an effective cost of ~$120.50.

Free training sounds like a no-brainer, but the decision is rarely that simple. As one CNA candidate considering an employer-sponsored offer shared:

“Is being a CNA worth it? So I have been invited to interview with a nursing home for free CNA training. I was excited at first, but after looking more into the experience I have a couple of major concerns.”

— CNA weighing free employer training, r/cna

That tension between free training and working conditions is worth taking seriously. Before accepting any employer-sponsored offer, ask about: the length of the employment commitment, typical staffing ratios, shift requirements, and what happens if you leave before the commitment period ends.

If upfront cost is your biggest barrier, start by contacting local nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and hospitals directly. Ask whether they offer free CNA training with an employment agreement.

WIOA Funding Through SD Department of Labor

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) is a federal workforce development program. If you’re eligible, it may cover your CNA training costs. Eligibility depends on employment status, income, and other factors.

To check your eligibility, contact your local SD Department of Labor and Regulation office or visit the state WIOA page. Bring documentation of your current employment and income status.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

If you’re enrolling at Southeast Technical College, Western Dakota Tech, or Lake Area Technical College, your program may qualify for federal financial aid through FAFSA. Contact your program’s financial aid office for current deadlines and requirements.

You may also qualify for a CNA scholarship through workforce development funding.

Training Path	Estimated Cost	Notes
Employer-sponsored (free)	$0	Work commitment required (typically 6-12 months)
Western Dakota Tech	~$374 (reported)	Verify with school, lowest published tuition
Monument Health (after reimbursement)	~$120.50	Requires 1 year employment at Monument Health
Southeast Technical College	~$278/credit + fees	FAFSA eligible
Monument Health (before reimbursement)	$1,380	Full cost if you leave before 1 year

Add $169.50 for the Headmaster LLP exam and ~$50 for the background check to any path above.

South Dakota CNA Competency Exam

The South Dakota CNA competency exam costs $169.50 total and has two parts, both administered through Headmaster LLP, the testing vendor contracted by the South Dakota Health Care Association (SDHCA). South Dakota does not use Prometric. See the full CNA exam vendors by state list if you’re coming from a Prometric state and need to understand the difference.

If you’re nervous about the clinical skills evaluation, that feeling is common, and it fades with preparation. Here is exactly what South Dakota’s competency exam covers so you can walk in knowing what to expect.

Knowledge Test Details

Detail	Specifics
Questions	75 multiple-choice
Time limit	90 minutes
Passing score	75% (56 out of 75 correct)
Cost	$75.50
Oral option	Available for candidates who have difficulty reading English

Topics covered: resident rights, infection control, safety and emergency procedures, basic nursing skills, communication, and care of cognitively impaired residents.

If you don’t pass on the first try, you can retake only the knowledge section without repeating the skills test. Use a free CNA practice exam to identify which topics need more work before your next attempt.

Skills Test Details

The skills test evaluator randomly selects 5 nurse aide skills from a state-approved list. You perform each skill on a mannequin or standardized patient during a 35-minute session while the evaluator follows a standardized checklist.

Common skills include handwashing, vital signs measurement, blood pressure, patient positioning, range of motion exercises, catheter care, bed making, and perineal care. Each skill has critical steps that must be performed correctly. Practice the full skills list. Knowing which skills can appear lets you focus preparation.

• Cost: $94.00
• Time: 35 minutes
• Setting: Headmaster LLP testing site (mannequin or standardized patient)

How to Register for the Exam

Register online through Headmaster LLP or through SDHCA at sdhca.org. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID and your registration confirmation on test day.

Pricing note: Some testing centers charge different rates. Southeast Technical College lists $175 for the skills test and $125 for the knowledge test ($300 total), $130.50 more than the standard Headmaster direct rate. You are not required to take the exam at your training school. To pay the standard $169.50 rate, register directly through Headmaster LLP or check the SDHCA testing schedule for alternative testing sites. Many long-term care facilities host exam dates at the standard fee.

You get up to 3 attempts to pass each section without repeating training. If you fail all three, you must complete a new state-approved training program before testing again. For a deeper look at the CNA exam structure and what to study, see our full exam guide.

CNA Reciprocity in South Dakota (Interstate Endorsement)

South Dakota CNA reciprocity is free. There is no application fee, which puts SD among roughly 20 states that charge nothing for this process. If you’re a CNA certified in another state and moving to South Dakota, you do not need to retake the 75-hour training or pass the exam again.

You can also begin working as a CNA in South Dakota for up to 4 months while your reciprocity application is processing. That 4-month temporary work authorization is both an opportunity and a deadline. If your application isn’t complete within 4 months, it expires and you’ll need to reapply.

Requirements for Reciprocity

To apply, you need:

• Active, good-standing CNA certification from any U.S. state, territory, or D.C.
• No substantiated findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation on your record
• Employment or a job offer in South Dakota (your employer completes a verification form)
• No new fingerprint background check required (unlike initial certification)

The no-fingerprinting distinction saves you ~$50 and the time required to schedule an in-person fingerprinting appointment.

How to Apply for Reciprocity

1. Confirm your current CNA certification is active and in good standing in your originating state
2. Secure employment or a job offer at a South Dakota healthcare facility
3. Submit the online application at the SDUAP reciprocity portal
4. Have your SD employer complete and submit the employer verification form
5. Begin working under your 4-month temporary work authorization
6. Receive your SD registry listing (no physical card, access your certification online at sduap.org)

Once approved, you’re fully listed on the South Dakota Nurse Aide Registry. The 4-month window is the deadline. Don’t let paperwork delays push past it without following up.

CNA Certification Renewal in South Dakota

South Dakota CNA certification renews on a 2-year cycle, according to SD Administrative Rules 44:74:02:25 and the SDUAP renewal portal.

Renewal Requirement	Details
Renewal cycle	Every 2 years
Work requirement	12+ paid hours as a CNA in the 24-month period
Training requirement	12 hours of in-service training per year (24 hours per cycle)
Renewal portal	sduap.org/renew

Submit your renewal application and documentation of work hours and training through the SDUAP renewal portal. You can check your certification status to confirm your expiration date before your renewal window opens.

What Happens If Your Certification Lapses

If you haven’t worked as a CNA for 24 consecutive months, your certification lapses and you must complete a new competency evaluation, meaning you retake the exam, before you can work again. This applies even if you held your certification for years. A 24-month gap triggers the retesting requirement under SD Administrative Rules 44:74:02:25.

A lapsed certification requires a special renewal application with verification of work history and training hours. Don’t rely on memory when renewal time comes. Document your work hours and training credits throughout each 2-year cycle.

CNA Salary in South Dakota

The average CNA salary in South Dakota is $38,070 per year ($18.30 per hour), according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data from May 2024. The national average is $39,530. South Dakota pays about $1,460 below the national CNA average, a 3.7% gap. That’s worth knowing before you start, not after.

The gap between the sources below comes down to data method: BLS reports employer payroll data, while job platforms rely on self-reported or posted wages, which tend to run higher.

Source	Average Annual Salary	Data Date	Notes
BLS (federal data)	$38,070	May 2024	Employer-reported payroll data; most authoritative
ZipRecruiter	$41,734	April 2026	Self-reported; skews higher
Indeed	~$47,000 ($22.60/hr + ~$4,500 overtime)	March 2026	Includes reported overtime

South Dakota employs approximately 6,520 CNAs statewide (BLS 2024). City-level salary data for small South Dakota markets (such as Hot Springs or Wagner) is based on very few reported wages on job platforms and should not be used for planning. When small-town rates appear significantly higher than the state average, it typically reflects temporary “crisis staffing” or travel CNA agency contracts rather than permanent staff pay. The BLS statewide average of $18.30/hr is a more reliable baseline for estimating your income. Hospital positions generally pay more than long-term care or home health settings.

Salary numbers tell you what you will earn. They don’t tell you what the job feels like on a hard day. CNAs across the country describe staffing challenges that directly affect workload:

“I have never experienced burnout like this… Today we only had three CNAs and all beds were filled so we each had 11 patients.”

— CNA describing a short-staffed shift, r/cna (81 upvotes)

Experiences like this are not universal, but they are common enough that you should ask about staffing ratios during interviews. South Dakota facilities vary significantly. Asking about typical CNA-to-resident ratios before accepting a position is a reasonable and professional question.

Career Advancement Paths

CNA certification is a common starting point for a healthcare career. Here are the most common next steps in South Dakota:

Path	Additional Training	Approximate SD Salary
CNA	—	$38,070/yr (BLS 2024)
Medication Aide (UMA)	20-hour state-approved course	$1-$3/hr above CNA base
LPN	1-year program	$48,990/yr (BLS 2024)
RN (ADN)	2-year program	$68,350/yr (BLS 2024)

Many South Dakota CNAs pursue the Unlicensed Medication Aide (UMA) certification as their first advancement step. UMAs are authorized to administer medications in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, a meaningful pay bump without committing to a full nursing program. The direct nursing path runs CNA to LPN to RN, with each level increasing both scope and earning potential. For a broader look at where a CNA career can lead, see CNA life and career paths.