In South Dakota, Social Workers must adhere to specific credentialing and licensure requirements, including obtaining the necessary credentials, fulfilling continuing education obligations, and paying various fees associated with licensure and renewal. Here’s a detailed overview:

Credentials and Licensure Requirements

1. Certified Social Worker (CSW)
   • Education Requirement: Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program.
   • Exam Requirement: None specified for initial certification.
2. Certified Social Worker in Private Independent Practice (CSW-PIP)
   • Education Requirement: Master’s or doctoral degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program.
   • Experience Requirement: Two years (3,000 hours) of post-master’s supervised experience.
   • Exam Requirement: ASWB Clinical or Advanced Generalist exam.
3. Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
   • Education Requirement: Master’s or doctoral degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program.
   • Experience Requirement: Two years (3,000 hours) of post-master’s supervised clinical experience.
   • Exam Requirement: ASWB Clinical exam.

Licensure Renewal Details and Costs

• Renewal Cycle: Licenses must be renewed biennially (every two years) on December 31st of odd-numbered years.
• Continuing Education Requirements: Social Workers must complete 30 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years. At least 20 hours must be in courses approved by the Board, and 4 hours must be in ethics.
• Renewal Fees:
  • CSW: $70
  • CSW-PIP: $90
  • LCSW: $90

Fees for Specific Licenses

• Application Fees:
  • CSW: $50
  • CSW-PIP: $50
  • LCSW: $50
• Exam Fees (Paid to ASWB):
  • Bachelor’s Exam: $230
  • Master’s Exam: $230
  • Clinical Exam: $260
  • Advanced Generalist Exam: $260
• Initial Licensure Fees (Upon passing the exam):
  • CSW: $70
  • CSW-PIP: $90
  • LCSW: $90

In South Dakota, Social Workers must meet specific continuing education (CE) requirements to maintain their licensure.

Continuing Education Requirements

1. Total CE Hours Required:
   • Social Workers must complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years (biennially).
2. Approved Courses:
   • At least 20 of the 30 hours must be in courses approved by the South Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners.
   • The remaining 10 hours can be obtained through various professional development activities, such as attending workshops, seminars, or self-study programs that are relevant to Social Work practice.
3. Ethics Requirement:
   • Of the 30 required CE hours, at least 4 hours must be in ethics. These courses should cover topics such as professional ethics, ethical decision-making, and the application of ethical principles in Social Work practice.
4. Documentation and Record Keeping:
   • Social Workers must maintain records of their completed continuing education hours, including certificates of attendance or completion, for at least three years.
   • They may be required to submit these records to the Board upon request for audit purposes.
5. Approved Providers:
   • Continuing education programs must be provided by organizations or institutions approved by the Board. This can include accredited universities, professional Social Work organizations, and other entities recognized for providing relevant educational content.
6. Types of Acceptable Continuing Education Activities:
   • Workshops and Conferences: Attending Social Work-related workshops, seminars, and conferences.
   • Academic Courses: Enrolling in relevant academic courses at accredited institutions.
   • Online Courses and Webinars: Completing online courses and webinars from approved providers.
   • Professional Presentations: Presenting at professional conferences or workshops can also count towards CE hours, subject to Board approval.
   • Publications and Research: Authoring articles, books, or conducting research relevant to Social Work practice may be eligible for CE credits.
7. Renewal Process:
   • Social Workers must attest to the completion of their continuing education requirements during the license renewal process.
   • Failure to complete the required CE hours may result in disciplinary action, including potential non-renewal of the license.

To renew their licenses in South Dakota, Social Workers must complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years, including at least 4 hours in ethics.

The continuing education activities must be relevant to Social Work and provided by Board-approved organizations. Social Workers must keep detailed records of their CE activities for at least three years and may need to provide these records to the Board upon request.