Resources · Path to Licensure

Behavioral & mental health licensure in South Dakota.

The required exam, supervised hours, jurisprudence rules, and official board for six South Dakota behavioral and mental health licenses — professional counseling, clinical social work, psychology, marriage & family therapy, behavior analysis, and addictions counseling.

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Professional counseling licensure in South Dakota

License: LPC-MH · Exam: NCMHCE

  • Supervised experience2,000 direct client contact + 100 supervision
  • Timeframepost-LPC supervised training
  • State law / jurisprudence examNo

Source: official board / national body (high confidence). Requirements change — confirm current South Dakota rules with the board before you apply.

Clinical social work licensure in South Dakota

License: CSW-PIP (Certified Social Worker–Private/Independent Practice) · Exam: ASWB Clinical

  • Supervised experience2 years supervised practice (per SDCL 36-26-17); 4 hrs/month individual supervision over 24 months FT (per ARSD 20:59:05:07)
  • Timeframe2 years FT (≥30 hrs/wk); 4 years if 18–29 hrs/wk
  • State law / jurisprudence examNo

Source: official board / national body (high confidence). Requirements change — confirm current South Dakota rules with the board before you apply.

Psychology licensure in South Dakota

License: Licensed Psychologist · Exam: EPPP Part 1 (no Part 2)

  • Supervised experience≥1,800 internship + 1 year postdoctoral
  • Timeframeinternship ≤2 yrs; postdoctoral year
  • State law / jurisprudence examYes — oral examination

Source: official board / national body (high confidence). Requirements change — confirm current South Dakota rules with the board before you apply.

Marriage & family therapy licensure in South Dakota

License: LMFT · Exam: AMFTRB National MFT Exam

  • Supervised experience2 years supervised; 1,700 clinical hours; 200 supervision (100 individual)
  • Timeframe2 years
  • State law / jurisprudence examNo

Source: official board / national body (high confidence). Requirements change — confirm current South Dakota rules with the board before you apply.

Behavior analysis licensure in South Dakota

License: Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) · Exam: BCBA exam (BACB)

  • Supervised experienceBACB standard: 2,000 fieldwork hours (or 1,500 concentrated)
  • TimeframeSet by BACB fieldwork standards
  • State law / jurisprudence examNo

Source: official board / national body (high confidence). Requirements change — confirm current South Dakota rules with the board before you apply.

Addictions counseling licensure in South Dakota

License: LAC (Licensed Addiction Counselor) · Exam: IC&RC ADC exam

  • Supervised experience2,000 (incl. 300-hr practical training, 12 core functions)
  • Timeframeno fixed timeframe
  • State law / jurisprudence examNo

Source: official board / national body (high confidence). Requirements change — confirm current South Dakota rules with the board before you apply.

South Dakota at a glance: Professional counseling uses the NCMHCE; clinical social work uses the ASWB Clinical; psychology uses the EPPP Part 1 (no Part 2). Always confirm current rules with each board before you apply.

A note on accuracy: Licensure requirements — degree, supervised hours, jurisprudence exams, and application steps — are set by each state board and change over time. This guide shows the general national path and the exam Triad prepares you for. Always confirm the exact, current requirements with your state’s official licensing board before you apply.

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