South Dakota Teaching License – Testing
In order to apply for your first South Dakota teaching license, you have to:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree
- Complete an approved teacher education program
- Submit passing scores for the appropriate Praxis tests
If you are applying for your first South Dakota teaching license, you also have to provide evidence of passing scores for the Praxis subject test for your teaching area.
In addition, you need to pass the Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) test for your level of teacher preparation.
Praxis Teacher Certification Tests – South Dakota
South Dakota Teaching License – Other Requirements
The South Dakota Department of Education can issue a provisional one-year teaching certificate, which allows a teacher one year to complete the required Praxis tests.
Be sure to use the correct code number for your preparing institution on your test registration form.
Information about the college or university that is recommending you for certification must be written in the “Attending Institution” section of the application form.
If you have a current South Dakota certificate and want to add another subject area, you have to pass the Praxis exam for the subject area you wish to add to your certification.
It is your responsibility to register for the correct assessment for the subject area in which you want to get licensed.
Not all teaching areas have subject-specific tests.
In order to get licensed in areas without subject-specific exams, coursework must be completed.
Out-of-state applicants
Teachers who hold valid teaching certificates from out of state must submit passing scores for the Praxis subject area test.
Out-of-state applicants have to pass a Praxis subject area test to attain five-year certification.
The South Dakota Department of Education may issue a one-year certificate.
The one-year certificate allows out-of-state teachers extra time to complete the Praxis subject area test.
For further information, please visit the official Praxis website and the official South Dakota Department of Education website by clicking on the links below:
South Dakota Department of Education – Teacher Certification Division
NOTE: The Praxis exams are trademarks of ETS. This website is not endorsed by ETS or by the South Dakota Department of Education.