South Dakota licenses independent clinical social workers as the CSW-PIP (Certified Social Worker - Private Independent Practice), through the South Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners. South Dakota has enacted the Social Work Licensure Compact, but no multistate licenses are being issued yet. Below: what South Dakota asks of a social worker already licensed in another state, and where those applications slow down.
South Dakota Social Work License Requirements
South Dakota licenses social workers at 4 levels: the SWA (Social Work Associate), the SW (Social Worker), the CSW (Certified Social Worker) and the CSW-PIP (Certified Social Worker - Private Independent Practice).
SWA: ASWB Bachelors. For a non-social-work bachelor's or a board-approved human services associate degree; practices only under supervision (SDCL 36-26-10, 36-26-16). The board says associates take the same test as social workers with a lower passing score.
SW: ASWB Bachelors. CSWE-accredited bachelor's in social work or social welfare (SDCL 36-26-15).
CSW: ASWB Masters. CSWE-accredited master's or doctorate (SDCL 36-26-14). A temporary CSW or SW license can be issued until the next exam result (SDCL 36-26-44).
CSW-PIP: ASWB Clinical. Requires a CSW plus two years of board-approved supervision after CSW licensure (SDCL 36-26-17). Statute and rule say only "board-prescribed" ASWB exam; the board application lists four exam levels (Clinical, Masters, Bachelors, Associates) against its four license levels.
Independent clinical practice requires the CSW-PIP (Certified Social Worker - Private Independent Practice).
Licensed elsewhere: SDCL 36-26-18 waives the exam for a social worker licensed in a state with substantially the same requirements who passed a similar exam, with license verification from every state held and official transcripts. CSW-PIP applicants also need proof of supervision from the original licensing state.
How Much Does a South Dakota Social Work License Cost?
We have not published a South Dakota figure yet
We have not verified South Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners's current schedule, and board fees change between legislative sessions
We handle the South Dakota application end-to-end.
Eligibility screening, document prep, board follow-ups, and tracking — so you don't lose a board meeting cycle to a missing form.
View full pricingWhere South Dakota Applications Get Delayed
The clinical-level license is titled CSW-PIP (Certified Social Worker - Private Independent Practice), not LCSW. It requires two years of supervised practice after becoming a CSW: at least 30 hours a week with four hours of individual supervision a month, or four years if working 18 to 29 hours a week (ARSD 20:59:05:07).
South Dakota licenses non-social-work graduates as Social Work Associates, who must practice under a CSW or SW.
A 2026 law (HB 1028, signed 2026-02-17) added a criminal background check requirement for multistate licensure under the compact.
Supervisor attestations and verifications from other boards take the longest. Request them the week you decide to apply, not the week you file.
Renewing Your South Dakota Social Work License
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
CE Requirement
30 CE hours per renewal cycle
The Social Work Compact and South Dakota
South Dakota has enacted the Social Work Licensure Compact (February 6, 2024). When the Compact opens, a social worker whose home state is South Dakota will be able to apply for one multistate license that covers every member state, and members' multistate licensees will be able to practice here. That has not happened yet: as of October 2026 the Commission was still building its data system and had issued no multistate licenses. Until it does, practicing here takes a South Dakota license.
Keeping it current
South Dakota renews social work licenses every 2 years, with 30 hours of continuing education per cycle. All licenses expire December 31 of the second year after issue. 30 contact hours per two-year period, at least 6 in social work ethics (ARSD 20:59:04:02). Same 30 hours for every license level. Holding licenses in several states means several calendars and several sets of CE rules, which is most of what our annual compliance service tracks.
South Dakota Social Work License FAQ
What social work licenses does South Dakota issue?
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Can I use the Social Work Compact for South Dakota?
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I'm licensed in another state. How do I get licensed in South Dakota?
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Where these facts come from
Checked against primary sources. Boards change rules between sessions, so we confirm the current process again before anything is filed.
- board name and contact — checked 2026-10-08
- license types, associate exam with lower passing score, renewal by December 31 of second year, 30 hours with 6 ethics — checked 2026-10-08
- four license levels; ASWB exam levels Clinical/Masters/Bachelors/Associates; exam may be waived for licensees of other states — checked 2026-10-08
- SDCL 36-26-10, -13 to -18 (license levels, PIP requirements, exam exemption for out-of-state licensees), -44 (temporary license) — checked 2026-10-08
- CSW-PIP supervision: 30 hours/week, 4 hours/month individual supervision, part-time schedule — checked 2026-10-08
- board-prescribed ASWB exam — checked 2026-10-08
- 30 CE hours, 6 ethics — checked 2026-10-08
- HB 1015 (2024) adopting the compact, signed by the governor 2024-02-06 (legislature action log API) — checked 2026-10-08
What Working with Us Costs
Transparent, a la carte service fees. Board, exam and fingerprinting fees are paid directly to those organizations. Our concierge fee is separate and is the only thing you pay us.
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