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Becoming a CNA in South Dakota

Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in South Dakota is an excellent pathway into healthcare. It requires meeting state-specific requirements, attending an approved training program, passing a certification exam, and maintaining your certification through renewal and in-service training. Here’s everything you need to know, organized in a practical step-by-step format.

 

Steps to Become a CNA in South Dakota

  • Meet Basic Requirements: Ensure you meet all basic qualifications for CNA school admission and state certification.

  • Attend a School: Complete a state-approved CNA training program in South Dakota that includes both classroom instruction and clinical experience.

  • Pass the CNA Exam: Successfully pass both the written and skills portions of the CNA exam.

  • Certification Registration and Upkeep: Register with the South Dakota CNA registry and ensure you stay up to date with renewal and continuing education requirements.



1. Meet Basic Requirements

Before you can begin CNA training, you’ll need to ensure that you meet the basic eligibility requirements set by the state of South Dakota.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Minimum Age Requirement: You must be at least 16 years old to become a CNA in South Dakota. There is no requirement for a high school diploma or GED, though it may be recommended for some programs.

  • Physical and Health Requirements: You may need to pass a physical exam and ensure your immunizations are up to date, including TB testing.

  • Background Check: All CNA candidates must undergo a criminal background check as part of their certification process.

 

By meeting these basic requirements, you’ll be ready to apply to a CNA program and start your journey toward certification.

 

2. Attend a School

 

To become a CNA in South Dakota, you must complete a state-approved nurse aide training program. These programs are designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to work in various healthcare settings, including nursing homes, hospitals, and long-term care facilities.

 

Training Program Requirements:

 

  • Total Training Hours: You must complete at least 75 hours of training, which includes:

  • 59 hours of classroom or theoretical instruction.

  • 16 hours of supervised clinical experience where you’ll practice hands-on skills in a real healthcare environment.

  • Curriculum Overview:

  • Basic Nursing Skills: Learn how to monitor vital signs, assist with mobility, and perform personal care tasks like bathing and grooming.

  • Patient Rights and Communication: Understand the rights of patients, including confidentiality, and develop skills to effectively communicate with patients and healthcare team members.

  • Infection Control: Proper techniques for hygiene and preventing the spread of infections.

  • Emergency Procedures: Training in emergency response, including the Heimlich maneuver and basic life-saving techniques.

 

Types of Programs Available:

 

  • In-Person Programs: Traditional CNA training programs are available at community colleges, vocational schools, and healthcare facilities such as nursing homes.

  • Online Programs: Some CNA programs in South Dakota offer hybrid learning where the classroom portion is online, but clinical training is completed in-person.

 

Choosing the Right Program:

 

  • Accreditation: Ensure the program is state-approved by the South Dakota Department of Health. You can find a list of approved programs on their website.

  • Cost and Financial Aid: Program costs typically range from $500 to $1,500, depending on the provider. Some programs may offer free training if you are employed by a Medicare or Medicaid-funded facility.

  • Duration: CNA programs in South Dakota can be completed in as little as 4-8 weeks, depending on whether you attend full-time or part-time.

 

Sample CNA Programs in South Dakota

 

School Name Location Program Length Cost Contact Information
Southeast Technical College Sioux Falls, SD 4-6 weeks $1,200 (605) 367-7624
Lake Area Technical College Watertown, SD 8 weeks $1,500 (605) 882-5284
Western Dakota Technical College Rapid City, SD 6 weeks $950 (605) 718-2400

 

Once you complete your CNA training program, you will be eligible to take the CNA certification exam.

Featured CNA Programs in South Dakota

Online

Southeast Technical College

Southeast Technical College’s program stands out for its hybrid format, combining online learning with hands-on training in a state-of-the-art Healthcare Simulation Center. Additionally, the program provides 16 hours of clinical experience at local long-term care facilities, offering practical, real-world exposure Read more…
$1,140
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3. Pass the CNA Exam

After completing your CNA training, the next step is to pass the CNA Competency Evaluation Exam, which is required by the state of South Dakota. The exam consists of two parts: a written (or oral) test and a skills evaluation.

 

Exam Structure:

 

  1. Written Exam:

 

  • The written portion includes multiple-choice questions covering key topics such as infection control, basic nursing care, and patient rights.

  • You can also opt for an oral version of the exam if reading and writing in English are challenging for you.

  1. Skills Test:

 

  • The skills test evaluates your ability to perform five randomly selected CNA tasks. These may include skills like taking vital signs, assisting with patient transfers, and providing personal care.

  • You’ll be observed by an examiner while performing these tasks in a simulated clinical setting.

Scheduling the Exam:

  • The CNA exam in South Dakota is administered by D&S Diversified Technologies. Once you’ve completed your training, your instructor will guide you through the exam registration process.

  • You can schedule the exam by visiting the D&S Diversified Technologies website or contacting them directly.

Exam Costs:

 

Exam Component Cost
Written (or Oral) Test $30
Skills Evaluation $68

Preparing for the Exam:

  • To prepare, make sure you study all the topics covered in your training program and practice the hands-on skills.

  • It’s also a good idea to take a CNA practice exam before the actual test to become familiar with the types of questions you’ll face. Take our CNA practice test here to get started.

What to Bring on Exam Day:

  • Government-issued photo ID (e.g., Driver’s License, Passport, State ID).

  • Social Security Card for identity verification.

  • Scrubs and closed-toe shoes for the skills test.

  • No. 2 pencils for the written exam.

Retaking the Exam:

  • If you fail either portion of the exam, you are allowed to retest up to two more times. If you fail three times, you’ll be required to re-enroll in a CNA training program before taking the exam again.

 

4. Certification Registration and Upkeep

Once you’ve passed both parts of the CNA exam, you’ll be added to the South Dakota Nurse Aide Registry, which allows you to work as a CNA in the state.

Registering as a CNA:

  • Once you pass the exam, your results will be submitted to the South Dakota Department of Health, and you will be officially listed on the South Dakota Nurse Aide Registry.

  • You can verify your certification status online through the South Dakota Nurse Aide Registry website.

Renewing Your Certification:

  • Certification Renewal Period: CNA certification in South Dakota is valid for two years.

  • Work Requirement: To maintain your certification, you must provide proof of 12 hours of compensated work as a CNA during the 24-month certification period.

  • In-Service Training Requirement: In addition to work hours, you’ll need to complete 12 hours of continuing education or in-service training each year.

Lapsed Certification:

  • If you do not meet the renewal requirements, your certification will lapse, and you’ll need to retake the CNA training program and exam to regain active status.

Renewal Process:

To renew your certification, you can either complete the process online or mail your documentation to the South Dakota Department of Health. The forms you’ll need, including the Employment Verification Form, are available on the Department of Health’s website.

South Dakota CNA Certification Summary

 

Requirement Details
Total Training Hours 75 hours (59 classroom, 16 clinical)
Exam Components Written (or Oral) and Skills Evaluation
Exam Cost $98 total
Renewal Period Every 2 years
Work Requirement for Renewal 12 hours of compensated work in 2 years
In-Service Training 12 hours per year

 

Becoming a CNA in South Dakota can open doors to a rewarding career in healthcare. By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to earning your CNA certification and starting a fulfilling job helping others in a healthcare setting.

Other Local CNA Programs

id Name Image Website Street Address City State Zip Code Map Link plus_code Phone latitude longitude latlong Category Reviews Rating 5star 4star 3star 2star 1star description Monday Hours Tuesday Hours Wednesday Hours Thursday Hours Friday Hours Saturday Hours Sunday Hours Details
1,710 Bethesda Home of Aberdeen AF1QipPqWocgAd8gMGXk6oVXuSh4Vkdxz576E1aeEy4=w458-h240-k-no https://aberdeenbethesda.org/ 1224 S High St Aberdeen SD 57401 CGXM+W6 Aberdeen, South Dakota (605) 225-7580 45.45 -98.47 45.4498243-98.4668821 Non-profit organization 35 4.0 22 2 5 2 4 Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours More details
1,711 Boxelder Job Corps Center AF1QipNJySfCbb7KEYp-tcKON8Yjh2z3CrNl6CKKXwX7=w408-h544-k-no https://boxelder.jobcorps.gov/ 22023 Job Corps Pl Nemo SD 57759 6F52+X5 Nemo, South Dakota (605) 348-3636 44.21 -103.55 44.2099929-103.549526 Employment center 30 4.0 17 5 3 0 5 Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Closed More details
1,712 South Dakota Department of Social Services thumbnail?panoid=FauV0VZAb_CPE-ow5ABkSg&cb_client=search.gws-prod.gps&w=408&h=240&yaw=59.946247&pitch=0&thumbfov=100 https://dss.sd.gov/ 700 Governors Dr Pierre SD 57501 9MC5+8J Pierre, South Dakota (605) 773-3165 44.37 -100.34 44.3707608-100.3409546 Social services organization 12 3.3 6 0 1 1 4 More details
1,713 Faulkton Area Medical Center thumbnail?panoid=13PkP5ieZ1wkAqFKCbN74Q&cb_client=search.gws-prod.gps&w=408&h=240&yaw=359.60013&pitch=0&thumbfov=100 https://faulktonmedical.org/ 1300 Oak St Faulkton SD 57438 2VJ8+5R Faulkton, South Dakota (605) 598-6262 45.03 -99.13 45.0304089-99.1328848 Medical Center 5 4.2 4 0 0 0 1 More details
1,714 Monument Health Rapid City Hospital AF1QipN88crxhrWblHUzk3K-mvWq9T5KCzIoBdrzSVyC=w426-h240-k-no https://directory.monument.health/facility/sd/rapid-city/353-fairmont-boulevard-6671503 353 Fairmont Blvd Rapid City SD 57701 3Q4F+36 Rapid City, South Dakota (605) 755-1000 44.06 -103.23 44.0552481-103.2269594 Hospital 1 3.7 1,121 157 88 85 459 More details
1,715 George S. Mickelson Center at Southeast Technical College AF1QipOhdNDnQf_lleYlDW8rPJ85vaZ_ve22axJF7nIC=w408-h272-k-no https://www.southeasttech.edu/ 2320 N Career Ave Sioux Falls SD 57107 H6CC+56 Sioux Falls, South Dakota (605) 367-7624 43.57 -96.78 43.5704414-96.779481 Technical school 49 4.4 41 0 1 1 6 7:30AM to 5PM 7:30AM to 6PM 7:30AM to 5PM 7:30AM to 5PM 7:30AM to 4PM Closed Closed More details
1,716 Winner Regional Hospital AF1QipOFH3N4M0ToxLOHPg3Jvo2UvtOlj7q9TbKd4pGd=w408-h306-k-no https://www.winnerregional.org/ 745 E 8th St Winner SD 57580 95C3+25 Winner, South Dakota (605) 842-7100 43.37 -99.85 43.3700721-99.847024 Hospital 8 3.9 5 0 1 1 1 Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours More details
1,717 Avera Queen of Peace Hospital AF1QipMiD6NqKjdp6glZeq9Mg9h_k2FUCjshtZIBFIRe=w408-h523-k-no https://www.avera.org/locations/queen-of-peace/ 525 Foster St Mitchell SD 57301 PX8R+2Q Mitchell, South Dakota (605) 995-2000 43.72 -98.01 43.7150222-98.0080107 Hospital 33 2.5 10 2 0 2 19 More details
1,718 Avera Prince of Peace Retirement Community https://www.avera.org/locations/profile/avera-prince-of-peace/?y_source=1_MTIyMTIzOTQtNzE1LWxvY2F0aW9uLndlYnNpdGU%3D 4513 S Prince of Peace Pl Suite 1 Sioux Falls SD 57103 G838+R5 Sioux Falls, South Dakota (605) 322-5600 43.50 -96.68 43.5045955-96.6845367 Nursing home 18 2.2 4 2 0 0 12 More details
1,719 Bennett County Hospital, Rural Health Clinic, And Nursing Home thumbnail?panoid=YYZm6sHVPkEvQT9tdL2_jQ&cb_client=search.gws-prod.gps&w=408&h=240&yaw=87.01608&pitch=0&thumbfov=100 https://bennettcountyhospital.com/ 102 Major Allen St Martin SD 57551 5799+VM Martin, South Dakota (605) 685-1660 43.17 -101.73 43.169738-101.7307879 Medical clinic 4 3.3 0 3 0 0 1 8AM to 5PM 8AM to 5PM 8AM to 5PM 8AM to 5PM 8AM to 5PM Closed Closed More details