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South Dakota Department of Education application documents

Which documents does South Dakota require from an out-of-state teacher?

The state, institution, employer or testing provider may need to send some records directly.

Open Out-of-State Reciprocity Based on Program Completion
Official state guidance State makes the decision Checked 2026-08-01

Core application evidence

Requirement

The application centers on the valid source certificate, source-agency verification, approved-program evidence, official transcripts and the requested South Dakota preparations and endorsements.

Which application this evidence supports

South Dakota reciprocity recognizes completed approved out-of-state preparation leading to a valid educator certificate, subject to source-agency discipline verification and a South Dakota Indian studies requirement.

What can change this answer

A valid source certificate, qualifying preparation and clear agency verification support the Initial certificate; an otherwise eligible teacher missing the required three-credit South Dakota Indian studies course can receive a provisional certificate only through the following June 30.

Conditions to resolve before sending records

  • The out-of-state program must have led to K-12 educator certification
  • The source license must be valid and verifiable by its issuing agency
  • Source-agency verification must show no past or pending ethics discipline
  • All out-of-state educators new to South Dakota certification after July 1, 2025 must complete the approved three-credit Indian studies course

Send identity documents and background records only where the state agency instructs. TeachPassport does not receive them.

Official sources

Check again by 2026-11-01