South Dakota Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal Dates and CE Requirements

1) Key South Dakota Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal Dates

In South Dakota, counselors and therapists must meet specific credentialing and licensure requirements to practice legally. These requirements vary depending on the type of counseling or therapy license sought.

Below is an overview of the credentialing process, licensure renewal details, and associated costs for Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC), Licensed Professional Counselors-Mental Health (LPC-MH), and Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT).

Credentialing Requirements for Counselors and Therapists

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC):
- Education: A minimum of a master’s degree in counseling or a related field from an accredited program.
- Supervised Experience: Completion of at least 2,000 hours of post-graduate supervised counseling experience.
- Examination: Passing score on the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or another state-approved exam.
- Application: Submit an application to the South Dakota Board of Examiners for Counselors and Marriage & Family Therapists (BOC & MFT).
Licensed Professional Counselor-Mental Health (LPC-MH):
- Education: Must hold an LPC license and have an advanced mental health degree.
- Supervised Experience: At least 2,000 hours of post-LPC clinical experience in mental health counseling, supervised by a qualified mental health professional.
- Examination: Passing the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE).
- Application: Complete the LPC-MH application with verification of supervision and testing.
Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT):
- Education: A master’s degree in marriage and family therapy, or a closely related field, from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE).
- Supervised Experience: 1,700 hours of post-graduate supervised work experience.
- Examination: Passing score on the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB) national exam.
- Application: Submit application along with supervision documentation and examination scores to the South Dakota Board.

Licensure Renewal Details

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Renewal:
- Renewal Period: Every two years, the renewal deadline is based on the individual’s original licensure date
- Continuing Education (CE) Requirements: 40 hours of continuing education (CE) must be completed every two years. CE activities should be related to counseling and approved by the Board.
- Renewal Fee: $100.
Licensed Professional Counselor-Mental Health (LPC-MH) Renewal:
- Renewal Period: Every two years, the renewal deadline is based on the individual’s original licensure date
- Continuing Education (CE) Requirements: 40 hours of continuing education, with at least 20 hours specific to mental health, completed every two years.
- Renewal Fee: $100 for LPC-MH license in addition to the $100 LPC renewal fee (totaling $200 for dual licensees).
Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) Renewal:
- Renewal Period: Every two years, the renewal deadline is based on the individual’s original licensure date
- Continuing Education (CE) Requirements: 40 hours of continuing education every two years, with topics specific to marriage and family therapy.
- Renewal Fee: $100.

Licensure Fees

LPC Application Fee: $100.
LPC-MH Application Fee: $100.
MFT Application Fee: $100.
Examination Fees:
- NCE Exam: Approximately $275.
- NCMHCE Exam: Approximately $275.
- AMFTRB National Exam: $365.

Summary of Costs:

LPC Initial Application and License: $100.
LPC-MH Initial Application and License: $200 (includes LPC license fee).
MFT Initial Application and License: $100.
Renewal Costs: $100 every two years for each license.
Continuing Education: Variable costs depending on the provider and course.

These requirements ensure that licensed professionals in South Dakota are well-prepared to serve their communities and maintain up-to-date knowledge in their field.

Sources:

South Dakota Board of Examiners for Counselors and Marriage & Family Therapists: https://dss.sd.gov/licensingboards/counselors/default.aspx
National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) Exam Information: https://www.nbcc.org/exams
Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB) Exam Information: https://www.amftrb.org/

Agents of Change Continuing Education offers Unlimited Access to 150+ NBCC-approved CE courses for one low annual fee to meet South Dakota requirements for Counselor and Therapist Continuing Education credits.

2) South Dakota Counselor and Therapist Continuing Education Requirements

Continuing education (CE) is an essential component of licensure renewal for counselors and therapists in South Dakota. It ensures that professionals maintain and enhance their knowledge, skills, and competencies throughout their careers.

Below is an in-depth look at the continuing education requirements for Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC), Licensed Professional Counselors-Mental Health (LPC-MH), and Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT) in the state.

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Continuing Education Requirements

Licensed Professional Counselors in South Dakota must complete 40 hours of continuing education every two years as part of the licensure renewal process. These hours must adhere to the following guidelines:

Approved CE Activities: CE activities must be relevant to the practice of counseling and must be approved by recognized organizations, such as the American Counseling Association (ACA), National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), or the South Dakota Board of Examiners for Counselors.
- Agents of Change Continuing Education is NBCC-approved.
CE Content: The content of the continuing education must enhance the counselor’s knowledge, skills, and abilities in areas such as counseling theory, human development, ethics, multicultural counseling, and treatment interventions.
Documentation: Counselors are responsible for maintaining records of completed CE activities, including certificates of completion or other documentation, for at least four years in case of audit by the licensing board.

Licensed Professional Counselor-Mental Health (LPC-MH) Continuing Education Requirements

For Licensed Professional Counselors-Mental Health (LPC-MH), the continuing education requirements are similar to those of the LPC, with additional specifications:

Total Hours: LPC-MH professionals must also complete 40 hours of continuing education every two years.
Mental Health-Specific CE: At least 20 of the 40 required hours must be specific to mental health counseling. These hours should cover topics such as mental health assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning, in areas like psychotherapy, substance abuse counseling, and mental health crisis intervention.
Ethics Requirement: A portion of the continuing education, often 4 to 6 hours, must include training in ethics or professional conduct.
Approved Providers: CE activities should be approved by the South Dakota Board of Examiners for Counselors and Marriage & Family Therapists, ACA, NBCC, or other recognized professional bodies.

Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) Continuing Education Requirements

Marriage and Family Therapists in South Dakota are also required to complete 40 hours of continuing education every two years, with specific emphasis on family systems and marriage counseling topics:

CE Content: The content of the CE must be directly related to marriage and family therapy. This could include areas such as family dynamics, couple’s therapy, child and adolescent therapy, and evidence-based practices for treating families and relationships.
Approved Providers: As with LPCs and LPC-MHs, MFTs must complete their CE through approved organizations such as the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), NBCC, or other board-approved entities.
Ethics Requirement: A portion of CE must include ethics, with a focus on ethical issues specific to marriage and family therapy.

Other CE Guidelines for All Licenses

Online and In-Person CE: Counselors and therapists may complete their CE hours through in-person workshops, seminars, or online courses, as long as the provider is approved. There is no restriction on the number of online hours, provided the courses meet board standards.
Carryover of CE Hours: South Dakota does not allow carryover of CE hours from one renewal period to the next. All 40 hours must be completed within the two-year licensure period.
Documentation: Licensees must maintain documentation of all CE hours, including the title of the course, the number of hours earned, the date of completion, and the sponsoring organization. These records must be submitted if requested by the Board during random audits.
CE Waivers: In cases of illness or hardship, licensees may apply for a waiver or extension of their CE requirements. This must be requested in writing and approved by the licensing board.

By ensuring compliance with these continuing education requirements, counselors and therapists can continue providing high-quality care to their clients while remaining in good standing with the South Dakota Board of Examiners.

Agents of Change Continuing Education is a great way to meet South Dakota Counselor and Therapist CE requirements and track your completed CEs, with over 150 NBCC-approved courses that meet these requirements!

Agents of Change has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7620. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Agents of Change is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

3. FAQs – South Dakota Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal and CEs

Q: What happens if I fail to meet the continuing education (CE) requirements before my licensure renewal deadline?

A: If you fail to complete the required continuing education hours before your licensure renewal deadline, your license may become inactive or expired, depending on the rules set by the South Dakota Board of Examiners for Counselors and Marriage & Family Therapists. This means you would be unable to legally practice until the necessary CE hours are completed and your license is reinstated.

In some cases, the board may allow you to apply for a short extension or grant a waiver in instances of hardship, but this must be requested in advance. Practicing without a valid, up-to-date license can result in fines or disciplinary actions, including possible suspension or revocation of your license. To avoid these issues, it is essential to track your CE progress and complete your requirements well before the renewal deadline.

Q: Can I complete all of my required continuing education (CE) hours online?

A: Yes, counselors and therapists in South Dakota can complete their continuing education hours through online courses, provided the courses are approved by recognized organizations such as the American Counseling Association (ACA), National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), or the South Dakota Board of Examiners for Counselors and Marriage & Family Therapists.

There is no specific limit on the number of hours that can be completed online, as long as the content is relevant to your field and meets the requirements for licensure renewal. Make sure to verify that the online CE provider is board-approved before enrolling in any course to ensure that it will count toward your renewal.

Q: How do I know if a continuing education (CE) course or provider is approved for licensure renewal in South Dakota?

A: To ensure that your continuing education (CE) courses will be accepted for licensure renewal, check that the course or provider is approved by recognized professional organizations such as the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), the American Counseling Association (ACA), the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), or other associations approved by the South Dakota Board of Examiners for Counselors and Marriage & Family Therapists.

Many CE providers explicitly state their accreditation status on their websites or promotional materials. If you are unsure, you can contact the provider directly or verify with the South Dakota Board. Keeping clear documentation of your completed CE courses, including course descriptions and provider information, will help you during the renewal process, particularly if you are selected for an audit.

Resources for CE: Agents of Change Continuing Education offers over 150 NBCC-approved courses that meet South Dakota Counselor and Therapist CE requirements.

4) Conclusion

► Learn more about the Agents of Change Continuing Education here: Agents of Change Continuing Education

About the Instructor, Meagan Mitchell: Meagan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has been providing Continuing Education for Counselors, Therapists, and Social Workersfor more than 10 years. From all of this experience helping others pass their exams, she created Agents of Change Continuing Education to help Counselors, Therapists, and Social Workers stay up-to-date on the latest trends, research, and techniques.

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Disclaimer: This content has been made available for informational and educational purposes only. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or clinical advice, diagnosis, or treatment