South Dakota Teaching Certification
South Dakota requires teachers to earn a bachelor’s degree, complete an approved teacher education program with student teaching, and pass the Praxis PLT and Praxis II content exams. New and out-of-state educators also complete a Human Relations course and a South Dakota Indian Studies course, then apply for a Professional Teaching Certificate through the SD Educator Portal.
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Learn how to become a teacher in South Dakota (or an administrator). Choose the description of certification you are most interested in or the situation that best describes you:
- Initial Teaching Certification…
- I’m a teacher from another state…
- Teacher Certification Renewal…
- Admin./Principal Certification…
- Alternative Teaching Certification…
- Substitute Teaching Permit…
Initial South Dakota Teaching Certification
The South Dakota Senate recently passed a bill requiring all school districts in the state to have a policy against bullying. Each school’s anti-bullying policy will be locally controlled under this bill, which was supported by the Associated School Boards of South Dakota, the School Administrators of South Dakota, and the South Dakota Education Association. With this measure, South Dakota is demonstrating its commitment to creating a safe and positive environment for students and teachers in its public schools.
Education Requirements
If you are an aspiring teacher in South Dakota, the South Dakota Department of Education Office of Educator Certification ([email protected] or 605-773-3134) expects that you’ll complete an approved teacher education program in-state. At least six credits of your teacher preparation program must have been taken during the five-year period prior to applying for certification. This program must be at the bachelor’s level, at minimum, and be taken at a college/university that is either accredited by one of the regional accreditation agencies or by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Under House Bill 1002, effective July 1, 2025, every educator new to the profession or certifying from out-of-state must also complete a three-credit South Dakota Indian Studies course as part of earning certification, along with a Human Relations course. This requirement doesn’t apply if you were already fully certified in South Dakota before that date.
Did you attend a teacher education program out-of-state? The South Dakota Department of Education may accept your credits if the school is accredited by one of the regional accreditation agencies or by CAEP. You may have other coursework to complete before receiving full teacher certification.
If you attended a teacher education program in a foreign country, your transcript must be evaluated by a foreign credential evaluation company, listed here, prior to applying for South Dakota teacher certification.
Certification Options
The teaching certificate you are issued is dependent upon your qualifications. Most new teachers who complete their education and exam requirements receive a Professional Teaching Certificate, valid for five years and renewable through continuing education credits, a state-approved mentoring program, or National Board certification. Once you’ve taught for five or more years and hold an advanced degree in an education-related field or National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification, you can apply to upgrade to an Advanced Teaching Certificate, which carries its own simplified renewal options. If you’re still finishing a requirement, such as reciprocity coursework, the Department of Education can issue a temporary or provisional certificate to give you time to complete it.
All teachers must meet core content standards for their area(s) of certification.
Examinations
The Praxis website provides a comprehensive overview of examination requirements for South Dakota teachers.
Basic skills testing:
Your college or university may ask you to pass the Praxis I Basic Skills Exam in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics during your teacher education program. The South Dakota Department of Education requires you to pass the Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching exam pertinent to your area/grade level of certification.
Content area assessment testing:
You must pass the Praxis II content examination that applies to your area of certification:
- Early Childhood Regular Education
- Birth-Preschool Education Endorsement
- Elementary Education K-8
- Elementary Education K-8 with 5-8 Middle Level Education
- Middle Level (Grades 5-8):
- Language Arts
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Studies
- Secondary Education (Grades 7-12):
- Language Arts:
- Composite
- Drama/Theater
- English Education (Composition/Literature/Speech)
- Speech/Debate
- Mass Communications Endorsement
- Mathematics Education
- Science Education:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Earth Science
- Physical Science
- Physics
- Social Science Education:
- Economics
- Geography
- Government and Political Science
- History
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Language Arts:
- All Grades (K-12):
- Art Education
- Health
- Music Education (Composite, Vocal, and Instrumental)
- Reading
- Physical Education
- World Languages (K-12):
- French
- German
- Spanish
- Special Education:
- Early Childhood Special Education
- Birth-PK Special Education Endorsement
- Special Education K-12
- Special Education K-8
- Special Education Endorsement 7-12
- Career & Technical Education (Grades 7-12):
- Agriculture Education
- Business Education
- Family & Consumer Sciences
- Technology Education
Experience Requirements
You will gain valuable practical experience during your South Dakota teacher education program. This will start with a practicum, which will take place in a real classroom in a South Dakota school. Here, you will observe real teachers in action and possibly get the chance to lead the class yourself at times.
Secondly, you will enroll in a student teaching field experience. You will be placed into a classroom congruent with the grade level and subject matter you plan to teach. You will lead the class in instruction, apply classroom management techniques, and perform all other duties a classroom teacher would be expected to perform. Your performance will be assessed and evaluated continuously by certification officials from your school as well as by a mentor classroom teacher.
Document and Application Requirements
Once you have completed the educational, experience, and examination requirements, you may apply online through the SD Educator Portal for initial teacher certification in South Dakota. You may pay application fees online as well. Additional documents that must be forwarded to the South Dakota Department of Education include:
- Official college transcripts
- University Sign-Off, completed by certification officials at your teacher education program
- Copies of Praxis II score reports
Mail all of the above documents to the South Dakota Department of Education, Certification, 800 Governors Dr., Pierre, SD 57501. Once your application has been accepted and finalized, a printable teaching certificate will be emailed to you.
Criminal History Background Check
When you begin student teaching, you will be subject to a criminal background check, initiated by the school district in which you will student teach. Your fingerprints will be taken and submitted through the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). More information on this process will be provided to you by your school.
As part of the teacher certification application process, you will be asked to complete and attest to a conduct review statement. This will state, among other things, that you have not been arrested or charged with a criminal offense. It also authorizes the Department of Education to review any records maintained by the State of South Dakota, Tribal entities, and/or the Federal Government.
Contact Information
Contact South Dakota colleges and universities with teacher education programs for more information on studying to become a South Dakota teacher.
Contact the South Dakota Department of Education Office of Educator Certification at [email protected] or 605-773-3134 for more information on teacher certification in the state.
Frequently Asked Questions
What degree do I need to become a certified teacher in South Dakota?
You need at least a bachelor’s degree from a college or university accredited by a regional accreditation agency or the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Your teacher preparation program has to include supervised student teaching, and at least six of your credits must fall within the five years before you apply for certification.
What exams does South Dakota require for teacher certification?
You’ll need to pass the Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching exam for your grade level, plus the Praxis II content exam that matches your certification area, whether that’s elementary education, a secondary subject, or a K-12 endorsement like art or special education. Some teacher education programs also require the Praxis I Basic Skills Exam before you’re admitted.
How long does a South Dakota teaching certificate last?
Most new teachers who complete the education and exam requirements receive a Professional Teaching Certificate, valid for five years and renewable through continuing education credits, a state-approved mentoring program, or National Board certification. Once you’ve taught for five or more years and hold an advanced degree or National Board certification, you can upgrade to an Advanced Teaching Certificate with simplified renewal requirements.
Can I transfer an out-of-state teaching certification to South Dakota?
Yes. South Dakota accepts credits from teacher education programs completed at regionally accredited or CAEP-accredited institutions in other states, though you’ll need to complete a Human Relations course and a South Dakota Indian Studies course before you’re fully certified. Teachers from a foreign country need their transcripts evaluated by an approved foreign credential evaluation company first.
Will I need a background check to student teach in South Dakota?
Yes. Your school district initiates a criminal background check and fingerprinting through the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation and the FBI before you begin your student teaching placement. You’ll also complete a conduct review statement as part of your certification application.
What can I expect to earn as a certified teacher in South Dakota?
Pay varies by district, grade level, and experience. See our South Dakota Teaching Salaries and Benefits guide for current BLS-sourced figures and what districts typically offer beyond base pay.
- A bachelor’s degree plus an approved teacher prep program is the foundation. At least six credits must come from within the five years before you apply.
- Two Praxis exams stand between you and certification. The Principles of Learning and Teaching exam for your grade level, and the Praxis II content exam for your subject area.
- The South Dakota Indian Studies course is now required to get certified, not after. Under House Bill 1002, effective July 1, 2025, new and out-of-state educators must complete it along with a Human Relations course as part of the certification process.
- Certificate type depends on your experience. A Professional Teaching Certificate covers most new teachers for five years; an Advanced Teaching Certificate is available after five years of teaching with an advanced degree or National Board certification.
- Out-of-state credits usually transfer as long as your program came from a regionally accredited or CAEP-accredited institution.
Find accredited teacher certification programs, application links, and licensing requirements for your jurisdiction.
