CNA Classes in South Dakota

The timeline to become a CNA in South Dakota typically ranges from 4 to 8 weeks from enrollment to certification. South Dakota requires a minimum of 75 hours of training—40 hours of classroom instruction and 35 hours of supervised clinical practice—which meets the federal minimum while providing comprehensive preparation for professional nursing assistant careers. Full-time accelerated programs at institutions like Southeast Technical College in Sioux Falls can be completed in as little as 3-4 weeks with intensive daily schedules Monday through Friday. Western Dakota Technical College in Rapid City, Lake Area Technical College in Watertown, and Mitchell Technical College offer similar accelerated options. Standard programs typically run 4-6 weeks with morning or afternoon sessions. Part-time programs accommodate working students with evening or weekend classes and generally take 6-8 weeks to complete. Many healthcare facilities throughout South Dakota including Avera Health and Sanford Health system facilities offer employer-sponsored training programs with flexible schedules based on facility needs and employee availability. After completing training, you'll register with Prometric to schedule your competency exam. Testing is available at Prometric centers in Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen, and other locations throughout South Dakota. Exam results are typically provided immediately after the skills test, with official scores processed within a few business days. Once you pass both components, your name is added to the South Dakota Nurse Aide Registry within 7-14 business days. Most students complete the entire process—from first day of class to active registry status—within 5 to 10 weeks.

CNA training costs in South Dakota are among the most affordable in the nation, typically ranging from free to approximately $1,500 depending on the program type and institution. Technical colleges including Southeast Technical College in Sioux Falls, Western Dakota Technical College in Rapid City, Lake Area Technical College in Watertown, and Mitchell Technical College offer programs ranging from $800 to $1,500 for South Dakota residents. These institutions receive state funding for workforce development programs, making them the most cost-effective options. Tuition at technical colleges often includes textbooks, supplies, and materials needed for training. Many nursing homes and long-term care facilities throughout South Dakota offer FREE CNA training through employer-sponsored programs in exchange for employment commitments of 6-12 months after certification. This "earn while you learn" model is particularly prevalent in rural communities experiencing healthcare worker shortages. Under federal OBRA regulations, if you're employed by or receive an offer from a Medicare/Medicaid-certified nursing facility, your employer must pay all training and testing costs. In addition to tuition, budget for the $125 Prometric exam fee (covering both written and skills components), required immunizations and health screenings ($100-$200), scrubs and clinical supplies ($50-$100), and CPR/BLS certification if not included in your program ($40-$75). South Dakota residents may qualify for financial assistance through South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation workforce training programs, Federal Pell Grants for eligible students, or South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship for eligible high school graduates attending technical colleges in-state.

The South Dakota CNA competency exam is administered by Prometric and consists of two mandatory components that comprehensively test your knowledge and practical nursing skills. The Written Knowledge Test contains 60 multiple-choice questions with a 90-minute time limit. You must score at least 70% (42 correct answers) to pass. Questions cover: Basic Nursing Skills (vital signs, positioning, transfers, mobility assistance), Personal Care Procedures (bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, elimination), Infection Control (handwashing, standard precautions, PPE use, isolation procedures), Safety and Emergency Procedures (fall prevention, fire safety, emergency response, use of restraints), Communication and Interpersonal Skills (therapeutic communication, cultural sensitivity, resident interactions, reporting and documentation), Residents' Rights (privacy, dignity, independence, informed consent, confidentiality), Mental Health and Social Service Needs (emotional support, behavior management, coping with loss, end-of-life care), and Role of the Nurse Aide (scope of practice, legal responsibilities, ethical behavior). The Oral Examination is available upon request in English or Spanish for candidates who prefer auditory testing or have reading difficulties. The Clinical Skills Evaluation requires you to demonstrate five randomly selected nursing assistant skills in front of a trained evaluator with approximately 30 minutes to complete all skills. The mandatory skill is handwashing/hand hygiene, plus four additional skills randomly selected from the approved skills list. Common skills include measuring blood pressure, pulse, respiration, or temperature; assisting with ambulation or transfers using proper body mechanics; performing range of motion exercises; providing perineal care; catheter care; feeding assistance; positioning in bed; or making an occupied bed. You must perform each skill competently according to the standardized checklist focusing on safety, infection control, patient dignity, and proper technique.

South Dakota accepts CNA certifications from other states through reciprocity, allowing you to transfer your credentials without retraining or retesting if you meet specific eligibility requirements. To qualify for reciprocity, you must hold a current, active CNA certification in good standing from another state's nurse aide registry, have no findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of resident property on any state registry, have completed a training program that meets or exceeds federal requirements (minimum 75 hours with both classroom and clinical components), and your out-of-state certification must not have been expired for more than 24 months. To apply for reciprocity, contact the South Dakota Department of Health, Office of Health Care Facilities. You can find the reciprocity application form on the South Dakota Department of Health website. Submit the completed application along with verification of your current CNA certification from your state's registry (most states can send this electronically), proof of completion of a state-approved training program if required (diploma, certificate, or official transcript showing hours completed), and payment for any applicable processing fees. South Dakota may require a criminal background check as part of the reciprocity process, which you can complete through approved vendors. Processing time typically takes 3-5 weeks from receipt of all required documentation. Once approved, you'll be added to the South Dakota Nurse Aide Registry and can begin working immediately at South Dakota healthcare facilities including hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and home health agencies. For questions about reciprocity or to verify the status of your application, contact the South Dakota Department of Health at (605) 773-3356 or email doh.info@state.sd.us.

South Dakota offers diverse employment opportunities for CNAs across its two major healthcare systems and numerous community facilities. Sanford Health is the largest rural nonprofit healthcare system in the United States, with significant presence throughout South Dakota including Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls (the state's largest hospital with 546 beds offering comprehensive services), Sanford Aberdeen Medical Center, Sanford Vermillion Medical Center, and clinics throughout eastern South Dakota. Avera Health is South Dakota's other major integrated healthcare system, operating Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center in Sioux Falls (545 beds), Avera St. Luke's Hospital in Aberdeen, Avera Queen of Peace Hospital in Mitchell, and facilities in Watertown, Pierre, Gregory, and numerous rural communities across South Dakota. Monument Health operates in western South Dakota with Rapid City Regional Hospital (417 beds—the western half of the state's largest hospital), Lead-Deadwood Regional Hospital, Custer Regional Hospital, and clinics throughout the Black Hills region. Other significant employers include Brookings Health System, Prairie Lakes Healthcare System in Watertown, Huron Regional Medical Center, and numerous skilled nursing facilities and assisted living communities throughout the state. The highest-paying areas include Sioux Falls (the state's largest city), Rapid City (gateway to the Black Hills), and Aberdeen. South Dakota CNAs earn a median salary of $32,890 annually ($15.81/hour). With the state's cost of living 12% below the national average—particularly affordable housing, utilities, and everyday expenses—CNAs achieve strong purchasing power and comfortable living standards while building rewarding healthcare careers in communities known for safety, quality schools, and outdoor recreation opportunities.