South Dakota Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal Dates and CE 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

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.