South Dakota is in 3 of 8 major interstate licensure compacts. Below: every compact that covers SD, plus the professions that fall outside the compact system (where VAEIA 2022 is your fallback).
Covers: Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN/VN)
Compact license travels with you to any other compact-member state automatically. Outside compact states, fall back on VAEIA 2022 / 50 USC 4025a portability.
Nursing → SD details →Covers: Physical Therapist (PT), Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)
Compact privilege is purchased per state where you want to practice. Military spouses moving to a non-member state can use VAEIA 2022 portability.
Physical Therapy → SD details →Covers: EMT, Paramedic, Advanced EMT (AEMT)
REPLICA covers cross-state response privileges, not full license portability for routine employment. Spouses moving permanently may need state license + VAEIA portability.
EMS / Paramedic → SD details →For these professions, your license to SD relies on VAEIA 2022 portability or a state-by-state reciprocity application. Check with the licensing board on arrival.
VAEIA 2022 / 50 U.S.C. § 4025a requires South Dakota to recognize your out-of-state professional license when you relocate due to military orders. Effective December 23, 2024. Applies even when no compact exists for your profession.
If a SD licensing board pushes back, cite the statute and refer them to the DOJ Servicemembers Initiative guidance at justice.gov/servicemembers/professional-license-portability.