CNA Requirements in South Dakota
Step-by-step guide to becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant in South Dakota: the training, exam, background check, and timeline you need to plan for.
Find South Dakota CNA Training ProgramsSouth Dakota CNA Requirements at a Glance
Minimum Age
16
Training Hours
75 hours minimum
Time to Certification
6-12 weeks
Exam Vendor
D&SDT-Headmaster (delivered through the TestMaster Universe / TMU platform)
Becoming a CNA in South Dakota
South Dakota is one of a small group of states where Certified Nurse Aides are regulated directly by the Board of Nursing rather than the Department of Health. SDBON's Unlicensed Assistive Personnel Program (SDUAP) maintains the official CNA registry, approves training programs, contracts with D&SDT-Headmaster for competency testing, and acts on disciplinary findings.
The CNA workforce in South Dakota is concentrated in long-term care, with hundreds of skilled nursing and assisted living facilities scattered across the state's rural counties and tribal lands. Demand consistently outstrips supply, and many facilities offer free training, paid orientation, and signing bonuses to attract new candidates-especially in the Black Hills, Pine Ridge, Rosebud, and the I-29 corridor running from Sioux Falls to Brookings.
Because there is no SDBON application fee, no renewal fee, and many employers cover training costs, South Dakota is among the most affordable places in the country to enter the healthcare workforce as a CNA. The Headmaster testing fee of about $159.50 is typically the largest fixed out-of-pocket expense for self-paying candidates.
Detailed South Dakota CNA Requirements
Regulatory Body
South Dakota Board of Nursing (SDBON), Unlicensed Assistive Personnel Program
Minimum Age
You must be at least 16 years old to begin CNA training in South Dakota.
Education Requirement
No statutory minimum education; applicants must be at least 16 years old. Most training programs require a high school diploma or GED, but it is not a state-level requirement.
Training Hours
75 hours minimum required.
Minimum 75 hours combined classroom and clinical instruction, including at least 16 hours of pre-clinical instruction before direct resident contact
Background Check
South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) and FBI fingerprint check, typically completed by the hiring facility at point of hire
Competency Exam
Administered by D&SDT-Headmaster (delivered through the TestMaster Universe / TMU platform). Two-part D&SDT-Headmaster competency evaluation: a written or oral knowledge test of 60 multiple-choice items and a hands-on evaluation of 5 randomly assigned skills
Cost: $159.50 total ($70.50 written or $80.50 oral + $89 skills) through Headmaster
Application Fee
No fee charged by SDBON for initial CNA registration
Total Cost Estimate
$400-$1,200 including tuition (often free at facilities), Headmaster testing, and any optional fingerprint costs
Where You Can Work
Skilled nursing facilities, assisted living centers, hospitals, home health agencies, hospice programs, and Indian Health Service facilities throughout South Dakota
What's Different About South Dakota
South Dakota has no state application or renewal fee for CNAs, and the Board of Nursing manages the registry through the SDUAP portal-one of the few states where the Board of Nursing (rather than the Department of Health) oversees nurse aides directly.
How to Become a CNA in South Dakota: Step by Step
Confirm eligibility and find a Board-approved training program
You must be at least 16 years old to enroll. The South Dakota Board of Nursing maintains an approved list of Nurse Aide Training Programs at community colleges, technical institutes (Southeast Tech, Lake Area Tech, Mitchell Tech, Western Dakota Tech), tribal colleges, and dozens of long-term care facilities that train and hire in-house.
Complete a 75-hour training program
South Dakota's curriculum mirrors the federal floor at 75 hours but is heavily front-loaded with at least 16 hours of pre-clinical safety and resident-rights instruction. Programs typically take 3 to 6 weeks, and many rural facilities sponsor candidates by paying tuition and a stipend in exchange for a short post-certification work commitment.
Register for Headmaster testing in the TMU system
Your training coordinator will create your candidate profile in D&SDT-Headmaster's TestMaster Universe platform. You pay $70.50 for the written test (or $80.50 oral) and $89 for the skills evaluation, for a combined total of $159.50. Both portions must initially be taken on the same day.
Pass both knowledge and skills components
The written test contains 60 multiple-choice items and is offered in English, with an oral option for ESL candidates. The skills evaluation consists of five randomly assigned tasks plus mandatory hand hygiene. You have up to two years from training completion to pass both components, with up to three attempts per part.
Apply to the South Dakota CNA Registry through SDUAP
Submit the initial application at sduap.org/CNA/apply/. The Board of Nursing does not charge an application or registration fee. Once Headmaster reports your passing scores, your name is typically added to the registry within 5-10 business days, and you receive a CNA registration number.
Complete employer-side background checks at hire
South Dakota law requires the employing facility to obtain a DCI and FBI fingerprint check before a CNA performs direct resident care for pay. You will self-disclose any past convictions on your initial registry application, and the Board of Nursing may conduct further review if disqualifying offenses are reported.
Renew every two years through the SDUAP portal
Renewal is free and is completed online at sduap.org/renew/. You must attest to at least 12 hours of paid CNA employment under licensed nurse supervision in the prior 24 months, plus 24 hours of approved in-service training. Failure to meet the work requirement means you must retake the Headmaster competency exam to reinstate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does South Dakota charge a fee to apply for or renew a CNA registration?
No. The South Dakota Board of Nursing does not charge a fee for initial CNA registration or for biennial renewal through the SDUAP portal at sduap.org. Your only mandatory cost is the Headmaster testing fee of approximately $159.50, plus any tuition charged by your training program.
Who administers the CNA exam in South Dakota?
South Dakota contracts with D&SDT-Headmaster, headquartered in Helena, Montana, to deliver the state competency evaluation. Testing is managed through Headmaster's TestMaster Universe (TMU) platform. The knowledge test costs $70.50 (written) or $80.50 (oral); the skills test costs $89. Both must be passed before the Board of Nursing will add you to the registry.
How often must I work to keep my South Dakota CNA active?
You must document at least 12 hours of paid CNA work performed under the supervision of an RN or LPN within the 24 months prior to your renewal date, along with 24 hours of in-service training documented by your employer. If you fall short, you must retake the Headmaster competency exam to be reinstated to the registry.
Does South Dakota recognize CNAs from other states?
Yes. South Dakota offers interstate endorsement at no cost through the SDUAP portal at sduap.org/CNA/apply/endorse/. The Board of Nursing verifies your current state's registry status, and if you are in good standing and completed at least 75 hours of training, you are added to the South Dakota registry-typically within 2 to 4 weeks.
Where can I verify a South Dakota CNA's registry status?
Use the SDUAP verification page at sduap.org/verify/. Enter the CNA's name or registration number to confirm active status, registration expiration, and whether any abuse, neglect, or misappropriation findings have been entered against the registrant. Employers are legally required to check the registry before hiring and at every renewal.
Can high school students enroll in CNA training in South Dakota?
Yes. The Board of Nursing allows enrollment at age 16, and many South Dakota school districts partner with technical institutes such as Lake Area Tech, Mitchell Tech, and Western Dakota Tech to offer dual-credit CNA programs to high school juniors and seniors. Students complete the 75-hour curriculum and sit for the Headmaster exam during the school year.
Free Study Materials for the South Dakota CNA Exam
The D&SDT-Headmaster (delivered through the TestMaster Universe / TMU platform) exam used by the South Dakota Board of Nursing (SDBON), Unlicensed Assistive Personnel Program tests both knowledge and hands-on skills. Use these free study guides to prepare for the topics most commonly tested in South Dakota:
Infection Control
Standard precautions, PPE, hand hygiene, transmission-based precautions, and biohazard handling for the South Dakota CNA exam.
Basic Nursing Skills
Vital signs, intake/output, positioning, transfers, and range of motion — the largest block on the D&SDT-Headmaster (delivered through the TestMaster Universe / TMU platform) skills test.
Personal Care & Elimination
Bathing, peri-care, oral care, toileting, and incontinence management — heavily tested D&SDT-Headmaster (delivered through the TestMaster Universe / TMU platform) skills in South Dakota.
Safety & Emergencies
RACE/PASS fire safety, fall prevention, choking, CPR, and seizure care — required knowledge for South Dakota CNA candidates.
Communication Skills
SBAR handoff, therapeutic communication, and adaptations for hearing, vision, and dementia residents — tested throughout the D&SDT-Headmaster (delivered through the TestMaster Universe / TMU platform) exam.
Patient Rights
OBRA '87 resident rights, HIPAA, advance directives, and freedom from restraints — graded on every South Dakota CNA practical exam skill.
Data Collection & Reporting
Objective vs subjective data, pain scales, what to report immediately, and documentation rules used on the South Dakota exam.
Body Systems & Conditions
Cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, and endocrine basics, plus pressure-injury staging — frequently tested on the South Dakota written exam.
End-of-Life Care
Hospice vs palliative care, Kübler-Ross stages, and postmortem care for South Dakota CNAs working in long-term care.
Mental Health & Dementia
Delirium vs dementia, sundowning, validation therapy, and de-escalation — frequently tested on the D&SDT-Headmaster (delivered through the TestMaster Universe / TMU platform) written exam in South Dakota.
Legal & Ethical Issues
Scope of practice, the four elements of negligence, mandatory reporting, and ethical principles every South Dakota CNA must know before working.
Test yourself for the South Dakota CNA exam
Free D&SDT-Headmaster (delivered through the TestMaster Universe / TMU platform) Practice Tests
The D&SDT-Headmaster (delivered through the TestMaster Universe / TMU platform) written exam used in South Dakota has 60 scored multiple-choice questions. Drill our free NNAAP-style practice tests until you can consistently score above 80%, then walk into the testing center confident.
Ready to Start Your South Dakota CNA Career?
Find approved training programs, free study materials, and license verification tools for South Dakota.