Checked 15 Nov 2026 by the team. Sources are listed at the end of the page.
South Dakota teaching certificate renewal, under ARSD 24:28:17:12, means one of three things within the five-year certificate: national board certification, two years in a state-approved mentor programme, or six education-related credits, at least three of them transcripted. Fifteen continuing education contact hours count as one credit. The rule was updated effective 8 September 2026.
Under ARSD 24:28:17:12, as amended effective 8 September 2026 (53 SDR 22), a teacher certificate is valid for 5 years and is renewed by national board certification, 2 years in a state-approved mentor programme, or 6 education-related credits, 3 of them transcripted; ARSD 24:28:17:07 counts 15 continuing education contact hours as 1 renewal credit.
The rule asks for 6 education-related credits per 5-year certificate, at least 3 transcripted (or national board certification, or 2 years as mentor or mentee). The legal source is ARSD 24:28:17:12.
| Item | What the rule says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate length | Teacher certificate valid for five years | [1] |
| Ways to renew | National board certification; two years as mentor or mentee; or six education-related credits | [1] |
| Transcripted share | At least three of the six credits transcripted | [1] |
| Contact hours | 15 continuing education contact hours = 1 renewal credit | [1] |
| Transcript rule | Education-related, C or higher or pass, official transcript from a regionally accredited institution | [1] |
| Deadline | Renew 1 January to 30 June of the expiry year; invalid if not complete by 1 October | [1] |
South Dakota Department of Education, educator certification decides how this rule applies to you. We read its published rule and the pages below; each was checked on 15 Nov 2026.
Each course below is ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended for college credit. Whether it counts here is the decision of the college and of South Dakota Department of Education, educator certification.
Learning, motivation and assessment: close to the rule's pedagogy and student assessment areas.
Self-paced online Educational Psychology course (Psychology 120). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →
Supports differentiated instruction for diverse learners.
Self-paced online Psychology of Diversity course (Psychology 112). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →
Background for teachers working with students with disabilities; ask whether it fits your endorsement.
Self-paced online Abnormal Psychology course (Psychology 180). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →
May fit technology in education; ask first.
Self-paced online Ethics in Technology course (Computer Science 195). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →Supports student assessment and data use; ask first.
Self-paced online Research Methods in Psychology course (Psychology 111). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →Thomas Edison State University (TESU), University of the People and Newlane University are partner colleges that consider ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended credit. The rule asks for a regionally accredited institution's transcript, so ask the Department of Education in writing first.
ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities.
| Option | Price | For this rule | Price checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPI Study PRO | $99 a month, every course | $99 for each month you are subscribed; take as many courses as you finish in that time | 15 Nov 2026 |
| Teaching Channel graduate course | $489 for a 3-credit graduate course | One 3-credit course covers the transcripted share: about $489 | 15 Nov 2026 |
Prices checked 15 Nov 2026 (Teaching Channel price as read by the team's builder that day). District in-service hours are often free to employees; compare before you pay.
UPI Study is not a college and is not accredited. ACE and NCCRS review our courses and recommend credit; a college decides whether to give that credit and records it on its own transcript.
Before you enrol, email the South Dakota Department of Education's certification office and ask in writing whether the named course, posted via a college transcript, will count as education-related transcripted credit for your renewal, and keep the reply.
South Dakota rewrote its renewal rules with 53 SDR 22, effective 8 September 2026. The separate rules for the professional and advanced teaching certificates (24:28:17:13 and :14) were repealed. Renewal for teacher, administrator and education specialist certificates now sits in one rule, 24:28:17:12.
The core number did not move: six education-related credits in the five years, at least three of them transcripted. What the rule adds is two other routes, national board certification or recertification, and two years as a mentee or mentor in a state-approved mentor programme.
Rule 24:28:17:07 lists what earns a renewal credit. Three of the six must be transcripted credit; the other three can come from any item on the list, including more transcripted credit.
Teachers with an advanced certificate or a master's degree or higher may verify completion of six education-related credits for renewal (24:28:17:29). Ask the Department how that changes the transcripted share for you.
Every renewal credit must be education-related. Rule 24:28:17:06 defines that as content tied to an endorsement area, pedagogy, classroom management, technology in education, student assessment or differentiated instruction. A course outside those areas does not count, however good it is.
Transcripted credit must also show a C or higher, or a pass, on an official transcript from a regionally accredited institution, with the course title, number, credit and grade (24:28:17:04). That is why any online course has to reach the Department via a college transcript from such a college, and why you should ask before you enrol.
A certificate runs until 30 June of its expiry year. You can renew from 1 January to 30 June of that year, and the certificate becomes invalid if renewal work is not complete by 1 October (24:28:17:01). Credits must be earned between the issue date of your current certificate and 1 October of the expiry year (24:28:17:02). If you are short, an educator with an expiring or invalid certificate may get a one-year temporary certificate to finish (24:28:17:11).
Six education-related credits within the five-year certificate, at least three of them transcripted, under ARSD 24:28:17:12. National board certification or two years in a state-approved mentor programme are the other two routes.
Fifteen continuing education contact hours equal one renewal credit under ARSD 24:28:17:07. Meals and breaks do not count. The hours must be education-related and come from a provider type the rule lists.
Yes. 53 SDR 22, effective 8 September 2026, repealed the separate rules for professional and advanced teaching certificates and moved renewal into ARSD 24:28:17:12, which adds national board and mentor routes.
Transcripted credit must be education-related, with a C or better, on an official transcript from a regionally accredited institution. An online course can count only if it reaches the Department that way and it agrees, so ask in writing.
You can renew from 1 January to 30 June of the year your certificate expires. The certificate becomes invalid if renewal requirements are not complete by 1 October of that year.
An educator with an invalid certificate must complete all renewal requirements and pay the invalid status fee. A one-year temporary certificate may be issued to finish the work; it cannot be renewed.
Ask the Department of Education in writing first, then take the courses that fit your endorsement.