SOUTH DAKOTA
STATE RESOURCES

South Dakota requires all teachers to obtain a Bachelor's degree or higher. More information can be found here: https://sdlegislature.gov/Rules/Administrative/24:28:06 

South Dakota requires all educators to complete the Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) exam, as well as additional tests required for specific licensure areas. You can find more information here: https://praxis.ets.org/state-requirements/southdakota-tests.html 

For initial certification in South Dakota, all candidates must:

• Earn a Bachelor's degree 

• Complete a teacher education program

• Complete a South Dakota Indian studies course with a grade of C or higher

• Provide a written recommendation from an accredited higher education institution

More information can be found here: https://sdlegislature.gov/Rules/Administrative/24:28:06 

South Dakota offers alternative routes to licensure. More information can be found here: https://doe.sd.gov/certification/documents/AltCertOptions.pdf 

South Dakota's Department of Education maintains a list of approved Educator Preparation Providers: https://doe.sd.gov/oatq/teacheredprograms.aspx 

• South Dakota Council for Exceptional Children - https://southdakota.exceptionalchildren.org/ 

• SDEA Aspiring Educators - https://www.sdea.org/about-sdea/our-members/student-educators 

• Educators Rising South Dakota - https://www.edrisingsd.org/ 

• South Dakota Board of Regents Reduced Tuition Programs - https://sdbor.edu/cost-aid/reduced-tuition-programs/ 

• South Dakota's Board of Education Scholarships - https://doe.sd.gov/scholarships/