Graduate from an accredited medical school (MD) or osteopathic school (DO).
Successfully complete a residency program in the U.S. or Canada — this is a statutory requirement for full licensure.
Demonstrate good moral character — part of the board’s review.
Pass a Board-approved national exam (USMLE, COMLEX, etc.).
Provide primary-source verification of education, postgraduate training, and past licensure (if any).
Submit to a criminal background check (state / fingerprinting) — required in the licensure process via MySD account.
If applying as a resident (in training), you must be enrolled in an accredited postgraduate training program in the U.S.
Create / Log in to a MySD account, which is used for SDBMOE licensing applications.
Select the correct license type:
MD / DO full physician license
Resident (training) license for postgraduate trainees
Fill out and submit the application via MySD: upload transcripts, exam scores, training verification, and any other required documents.
Pay all required fees as part of the application.
Complete a state and federal background check, including fingerprint submission.
If required, submit board-specific forms or documents (for example, training license requests or endorsement verification).
Once all materials are submitted, the Board reviews them and issues licensure when approved.
South Dakota is a participating state in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC).
Eligible physicians can apply through the compact to potentially speed up licensing.
As per the American Association of Osteopathic Examiners, South Dakota requires no CME hours for license renewal.
This applies to both MD and DO licensees under the Board’s current rules.
Physician licenses in South Dakota must be renewed; failure to do so can lead to forfeiture or suspension.
Renewal is done via your MySD account (used for applications).
Note: reminders to renew are a courtesy only — it’s the licensee’s responsibility to renew on time.
According to MedLicense.com, for domestic medical school graduates, the average timeline is 3.5 to 5 months from application submission to license issuance.
Delays may occur if documentation (such as primary-source verifications) or background checks take longer than expected.
South Dakota Board of Medical & Osteopathic Examiners (SDBMOE): https://www.sdbmoe.gov/
Physician License Information (MD / DO): https://www.sdbmoe.gov/professions-physicians/professions-physicians-physician-license-md-do/
Resident (Training) License: https://sdbmoe.gov/professions-physicians/professions-physicians-resident-license/
Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC): Information via SDBMOE site.
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