What decides whether you need a new license
Two things: whether South Dakota is a compact state, and whether your own license is multistate rather than single-state. Compact privilege only exists between compact states, and only a multistate license carries it. Run your exact home/assignment pairing through the compact state checker.
Practicing in South Dakota on assignment
Working under privilege still means following South Dakota's scope of practice and nurse practice act, and you remain accountable to the South Dakota Board of Nursing while you are here. If any of the assignment is telehealth, remember licensure generally follows the patient’s location — see the South Dakota telehealth guide.
The law that governs this in South Dakota
Taking an assignment in South Dakota is practice in South Dakota, so it is South Dakota’s own nurse practice act that defines what you may do and the South Dakota Board of Nursing that applies it. That act is South Dakota nursing licensure law (Board of Nursing, DOH).
The compact itself is separate law. South Dakota adopted it at S.D. Codified Laws §§ 36-9-98 to 36-9-99 (Nurse Licensure Compact), which is what allows a multistate license issued elsewhere to reach South Dakota at all — the practice act still decides what you may do once it does.
Before you sign
We are an independent licensing reference — we do not list assignments, agencies, or pay rates, and nothing here is a job offer. For the wider pre-assignment checklist (contract terms, credentialing, housing), see what to check before accepting a travel assignment. Confirm licensure with the South Dakota Board of Nursing.
Since when has a compact license worked in South Dakota?
Nurses holding another state’s multistate license have been able to practice in South Dakota since January 19, 2018. It has been a member long enough that most guidance you find will be accurate on this point.