Ready to kick off your teaching career in South Dakota? You need to understand several significant steps and requirements to become a certified teacher.
The South Dakota Department of Education manages teacher certification with high standards that ensure quality education statewide. Your success depends on understanding these requirements, whether you’re a new graduate, an out-of-state teacher, or someone learning alternative certification pathways. Let us walk you through the certification process, from your original application to renewal requirements.
This piece covers different teaching certificates, eligibility criteria, testing requirements, and renewal processes. You will discover continuing education credits, professional development opportunities, and alternative paths to certification. Our goal is to help you understand how to get and maintain your South Dakota teaching license.
Understanding South Dakota Teaching Certification Requirements
Here’s what you need to know about teacher certification requirements from the South Dakota Department of Education. These requirements matter for both new and experienced educators who want to teach in our state.
Types of Teaching Certificates Available
The South Dakota Department of Education provides several teaching certificates that match different educational needs:
- Initial Certificate: Valid for 5 years, designed for new teachers
- Professional Certificate: For experienced educators with 3+ years of teaching
- Advanced Professional Certificate: Available to teachers with advanced degrees
- Alternative Preliminary Certificate: For career changers entering education
- Temporary Certificate: One-year certificate for specific circumstances
Simple Eligibility Criteria
Getting a teaching certificate in South Dakota requires meeting several key requirements. All applicants must be at least 18 years old and have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. On top of that, it takes completing a state-approved teacher preparation program. A background check proves good moral character.
Educational and Testing Prerequisites
Each certificate type comes with its own educational requirements:
| Certificate Type | Education Required | Testing Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Initial | Bachelor’s Degree + Teacher Preparation. | Praxis Subject & Content Tests |
| Professional | Bachelor’s + 3 Years Experience | None Additional |
| Advanced | Master’s Degree or Higher | None Additional |
Important Note: Teachers must complete six education-related credits every five years to renew their certificates. Fifteen contact hours count as one renewal credit, and at least three credits must come from transcripted or specialized learning experience hours.
The South Dakota Department of Education upholds rigorous standards to ensure quality education throughout our state. Teachers should keep detailed records of their educational achievements and professional development activities. These records are a vital part of both initial certification and renewal processes.
Initial Certification Process
Let’s walk you through the process of getting your original teaching certificate in South Dakota now that we understand the types of certificates and simple requirements. The South Dakota Department of Education has simplified the application process to make it straightforward.
Application Procedures and Timeline
Your certification journey starts with the SD Educator Portal (mySD.gov Citizen Portal). Start your application early in the calendar year since processing takes 6-10 weeks. The timeline looks like this:
| Stage | Duration | Key Actions |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Review | 2-3 weeks | Application screening |
| Document Processing | 3-4 weeks | Verification of credentials |
| Final Review | 1-3 weeks | Background check clearance |
Important: Your application stays valid for 365 days after submission. You’ll need to reapply if you don’t complete it within this timeframe. The fees are non-refundable.
Required Documentation
The certification process needs specific documentation. Here’s what you should prepare:
- Official transcripts from all attended institutions
- Proof of completed teacher preparation program
- Valid test scores (Praxis Subject & Content)
- Verification of teaching experience (if applicable)
- Completed application form through the SD Educator Portal
- Payment of non-refundable certification fees
Pro Tip: Save all your documents in the “Document” storage on your educator profile. Add a comment to show that you’ve uploaded documents to your profile when submitting your application.
Background Check Requirements
Student and teacher safety comes first. The background check process has these steps:
- Fingerprint Submission: Must be completed through an authorized agency
- Criminal History Review: Both state and federal checks required
- Character References: Professional references may be required
You’ll receive an email from “SD.gov Portal” with the subject line “SD Certificate for Your Name – EDAPPxxxxxxx is Approved” after approval. Save your certificate by clicking the provided link.
Keep track of your contact hours and renewal credits by saving all documentation in one place. We review only what you submit and request, so well-organized records help with both initial certification and future renewals.
Certification Renewal Guidelines
Your South Dakota teaching certification renewal needs attention to specific requirements and deadlines. The South Dakota Department of Education aims to make this process clear and straightforward.
Five-Year Renewal Cycle Overview
Your teaching certificate stays valid for five years from its issue date until June 30 of the expiration year. The best time to start your renewal falls between January 1 and June 30 of your expiration year. Important deadline: Your certificate becomes invalid if you don’t complete renewal requirements by October 1 of the expiration year, and you’ll need to pay additional fees for reinstatement.
Required Continuing Education Credits
The continuing education requirements help ensure your professional growth:
| Credit Type | Requirements | Contact Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Total Credits Needed | 6 credits | 90 hours |
| Specialized/Transcripted | Minimum 3 credits | 45 hours |
| General Credits | Remaining 3 credits | 45 hours |
Note: One renewal credit equals 15 contact hours (clock hours). Teachers with a Master’s Degree or Advanced Teaching Certificate can combine generalized, specialized, and transcripted credits flexibly.
Documentation and Submission Process
Your continuing education certificates should include these details:
- Course title with specific topics covered
- Description of the learning experience
- Training date and location
- Organization name awarding the credits
- Number of contact hours earned
Educators can now access free continuing education opportunities through IACET-accredited providers. To name just one example, see our partner Mike Veny Inc.’s free online course “How to Build Resilience Today for Lifelong Emotional Wellness” that provides valuable contact hours toward your renewal requirements.
Submit your renewal application through the SD Educator Portal (mySD.gov Citizen Portal). Pro tip: Store your documents in the “Document” storage on your educator profile and add a comment about their location when submitting your application. The process takes 6-10 weeks typically, so early submission helps.
Note that certification fees cannot be refunded, and you must pay the fee to activate your application for review. A well-organized record of your contact hours and renewal credits will help you track progress effectively – we’ll review only the documentation you submit with your application.
Professional Development Requirements
Professional development at the South Dakota Department of Education goes beyond basic requirements. It represents a chance for growth and excellence in teaching. My role as an IACET-accredited provider has shown me how quality continuing education benefits our educators.
Approved Training Programs
The South Dakota Department of Education acknowledges several pathways for professional development. Our approved programs include:
- School district-provided training
- Educational service agency workshops
- IACET-accredited courses
- Healthcare provider training (for specific endorsements)
- State-approved specialized programs
Training Approval Criteria: Professional development must emphasize pedagogy, endorsable content areas, school climate, or student health and safety. Our department automatically approves programs because we are an IACET-accredited provider.
Contact Hour Calculations
Your professional development planning depends on understanding how contact hours convert to credits:
| Contact Hours | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 15 hours | 1 credit | General |
| 45 hours | 3 credits | Specialized |
| 90 hours | 6 credits | Total Required |
Specialized Training Requirements
The South Dakota Department’s specific requirements for specialized training undergo rigorous evaluation. Our standards remain high for every program. The “How to Build Resilience Today for Lifelong Emotional Wellness” course delivers practical skills and valuable contact hours.
Key Training Components:
- Content must be education-related
- Training must be provided by approved organizations
- Documentation must include specific course details
- Certificates must show exact contact hours earned
My work with South Dakota educators, especially during MTSS Summer Conference events, demonstrates how meaningful professional development reshapes teaching practices. We designed our programs to be both available and influential. Our free online courses meet certification requirements and provide valuable classroom skills.
Note that professional development activities must start after your current certificate’s issue date. You cannot repeat content within the same renewal cycle. Detailed records of all professional development activities will help your certification renewal process.
Alternative Certification Pathways
The South Dakota Department of Education creates multiple pathways to teaching excellence. Talent comes from a variety of backgrounds, which is why we offer alternative routes to certification. These routes maintain our high standards while accommodating different career paths.
Career and Technical Education Routes
We designed specific pathways to certification for professionals who bring industry expertise to the classroom. My extensive work with South Dakota educators has shown how valuable real-life experience can be in teaching. Our CTE certification pathway requires:
- Verified work experience in the teaching field
- Industry certifications or credentials
- Completion of pedagogical coursework
- Passing required assessments
Important: CTE candidates must complete pedagogical training within three years of their original employment.
Out-of-State Teacher Reciprocity
Experienced educators from other states are welcome to join our teaching community. Our reciprocity process reviews your existing credentials and experience:
| Requirement Type | Details | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Valid License | Current out-of-state license | Must be active |
| Experience | Minimum 3 years teaching | Within last 5 years |
| Education | Bachelor’s degree or higher | Accredited institution |
| Background Check | State and federal | Within 6 months |
Emergency Certification Options
Schools sometimes face staffing challenges, so we provide emergency certification options to ensure continuous quality education. These temporary certificates last one year and require:
- Bachelor’s degree in the subject area
- School district request and sponsorship
- Commitment to complete required pedagogy courses
- Enrollment in an approved teacher preparation program
Special Requirements: Emergency certified teachers must complete our youth suicide awareness and prevention training, as mandated by South Dakota Codified Law 13-42-71. District accreditation reviews verify this training rather than individual certification.
My work with the South Dakota Department of Education, especially during the 2021 MTSS Summer Conference, has shown the dedication of career-changers who bring fresh views to our classrooms. We proudly offer IACET-accredited professional development opportunities, including our free online course “How to Build Resilience Today for Lifelong Emotional Wellness,” which provides valuable contact hours toward your certification requirements.
Alternative pathway candidates must keep detailed records of their progress. We suggest storing documentation in your SD Educator Portal profile since processing typically takes 6-10 weeks. Note that applications stay valid for 365 days from submission, and all certification fees are non-refundable.
Pro Tip: Submit your application early in the calendar year to ensure adequate processing time. Track your application’s progress using the “view status” feature after submission.
Conclusion
A teaching certification in South Dakota creates rewarding educational careers and maintains high standards that benefit our students. The South Dakota Department of Education supports educators throughout their certification experience.
You’ll find everything in South Dakota teacher certification here:
- Different certificate types and their specific requirements
- Step-by-step original certification procedures
- Renewal guidelines and continuing education credits
- Professional development opportunities
- Alternative pathways for career changers
South Dakota educators can enhance their skills through IACET-accredited providers like Mike Veny Inc. These providers are a great way to get continuing education opportunities. Enroll in this free course for South Dakota educators to earn contact hours and build essential resilience skills.
Detailed records of your certifications, professional development activities, and contact hours need careful tracking. The certification or renewal process should begin early since processing takes 6-10 weeks. Our team will support your teaching career as you make a difference in South Dakota’s classrooms.
FAQs
Q1. What are the basic requirements to become a certified teacher in South Dakota?
To become a certified teacher in South Dakota, you must be at least 18 years old, have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, complete a state-approved teacher preparation program, and pass the required Praxis Subject and Content tests.
Q2. How long does the teacher certification process take in South Dakota?
The certification process typically takes 6-10 weeks from the time of application submission. It’s recommended to start the application early in the calendar year to ensure adequate processing time.
Q3. What are the renewal requirements for a South Dakota teaching certificate?
Teachers must complete 6 credits of continuing education every five years to renew their certificate. At least 3 credits must be specialized or transcripted, and the remaining can be general credits. One credit equals 15 contact hours.
Q4. Are there alternative pathways to becoming a teacher in South Dakota?
Yes, South Dakota offers alternative certification pathways for career changers and out-of-state teachers. These include routes for Career and Technical Education professionals and a reciprocity process for experienced educators from other states.
Q5. What professional development opportunities are available for South Dakota teachers?
South Dakota teachers can access various professional development opportunities, including school district-provided training, educational service agency workshops, and IACET-accredited courses. Some providers even offer free online courses that count towards certification requirements.
