Happy Teacher Professional Development helps South Dakota educators meet license renewal requirements through affordable, graduate-level courses offered in partnership with accredited universities. South Dakota teachers must complete six education-related credits that must include:

Professional Teaching Certificate Renewal

• A minimum of three transcripted credits or specialized learning experience hours; and
• The remaining three credits may include continuing education contact hours, transcripted credits, or a combination of both.

Advanced Teaching Certificate Renewal

Advanced teaching certificates are issued to teachers with five or more years of experience and an advanced degree in an education-related field or National Board Certification.

• Complete six education-related transcripted credits, specialized learning experience hours, or continuing education contact hours.

Required for All Renewals:

• Completion of state-approved suicide awareness and prevention training. Our 3 semester course, Suicide Prevention for Educators, satisfies this requirement!

If your district requires graduate-level credit to move up the pay scale be sure to select “Course + Graduate Level Credit.”

Certificate Hours by Semester Credit

Wondering how many hours are listed on your Certificate of Completion? Here's the breakdown:

• 1 semester credit = 15 hours
• 2 semester credits = 30 hours
• 3 semester credits = 45 hours

Important: Renewal requirements are subject to change. We recommend consulting the South Dakota Department of Education’s website to ensure you have the most up-to-date information.

Here are courses popular with South Dakota educators:

• Suicide Prevention for Educators: Identifying, Supporting, and Empowering Students
• AI For Educators 
• Effective Classroom Management
• Stress Management
• English Language Learners: Practical Strategies for Educators