A physician is eligible to participate in the recruitment assistance program established pursuant to §§ 34-12G-1 to 34-12G-9, inclusive, if the physician is licensed to practice medicine pursuant to chapter 36-4 and has completed an accredited residency program in family practice, pediatrics, internal medicine, or obstetrics/gynecology, and if the physician agrees to practice in an eligible rural community for a minimum period of three years. No more than fifteen physicians may participate in the program at any specified time. Preference shall be given to physicians who have graduated from the University of South Dakota School of Medicine and completed an accredited residency program located in South Dakota.

A dentist is eligible to participate in the recruitment assistance program established pursuant to §§ 34-12G-1 to 34-12G-9, inclusive, if the dentist is licensed to practice dentistry pursuant to chapter 36-6A and agrees to practice general or pediatric dentistry in an eligible rural community for a minimum period of three years. No more than five dentists may participate in the program at any specified time.

A physician assistant, certified nurse practitioner, or certified nurse midwife is eligible to participate in the recruitment assistance program established pursuant to §§ 34-12G-1 to 34-12G-9, inclusive, if the physician assistant, certified nurse practitioner, or certified nurse midwife is licensed to practice pursuant to chapter 36-4A or chapter 36-9A, respectively, and has completed an accredited physician assistant, certified nurse practitioner, or certified nurse midwife program and if the person agrees to practice as a primary care physician assistant, family certified nurse practitioner, or certified nurse midwife in an eligible rural community for a minimum period of three years.

A certified registered nurse anesthetist is eligible to participate in the recruitment assistance program established pursuant to §§ 34-12G-1 to 34-12G-9, inclusive, if the nurse is authorized to practice the nursing specialty of nurse anesthesia, as described in § 36-9-3.1, and agrees to practice as a certified registered nurse anesthetist in an eligible rural community for a minimum period of three years.

No more than a cumulative total of fifteen physician assistants, certified nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, or certified registered nurse anesthetists may participate in the program at any specified time.

Source: SL 2012, ch 179, § 3; SL 2017, ch 171, § 50; SL 2021, ch 143, § 1.