Veterinarian License in South Dakota

South Dakota requires a DVM degree from an AVMA-accredited school and passage of the NAVLE for veterinary licensure. The South Dakota Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners oversees the profession. South Dakota does not have its own veterinary school; residents commonly attend Iowa State University, the University of Minnesota, or Colorado State University through regional agreements. South Dakota's agricultural economy is dominated by beef cattle ranching (the state ranks among the top ten in cattle numbers), corn, soybeans, and a growing dairy industry. The state's vast grasslands and prairies, including the Pine Ridge and Rosebud Indian Reservations, face critical veterinary workforce shortages for both livestock and companion animals. Ellsworth Air Force Base near Rapid City provides military veterinary positions. South Dakota's wildlife resources, including large populations of pheasants, bison (including Custer State Park's managed herd), and white-tailed deer, create wildlife management roles. The state's no-income-tax policy and low cost of living are recruitment advantages, but geographic isolation remains a challenge for rural veterinary access.