South Dakota counseling license requirements

We've listed some of the most common questions and answers for South Dakota counseling continuing education.

How many CE Credits does South Dakota require for counselors?

• Professionals licensed by the South Dakota Board of Examiners for Counselors & Marriage and Family Therapists:

  • LPC, LPC-MH, LMFT: 40 hours every 2 years. Licenses expire on 11/30 of even-numbered years.

• Professionals licensed by the South Dakota Board of Addiction and Prevention Professionals:

  • CAC, CPS, LAC: 40 hours every 2 years. Licenses expire biennially.

Can I take my continuing education through Continued Counseling?

• Licensed Professional Counselors: Marriage & Family Therapists: Yes. For professionals licensed through the South Dakota Board of Examiners for Counselors & Marriage and Family Therapists, the board accepts courses by NBCC approved providers. Continued has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7484. Find courses offered for NBCC credit.

• Addiction Counselors: Yes. The South Dakota Board of Addiction and Prevention Professionals accepts courses by NAADAC approved providers. Continued is a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, #283836. Find courses approved by NAADAC.

Licensees are responsible for completing courses that align with the content requirements for their specific license.

Licensed Professional Counselors and Licensed Marriage and Family Counselors:

• LPC, LPC-MH, LMFT:

  • There is no limit to the number of continuing education hours that can be obtained online.
  • 4 hours must be obtained in ethics each renewal. Continued offers courses that may meet the ethics course requirement.
  • If a supervisor, 4 hours must be obtained in supervision each renewal. Continued offers courses that may meet the supervision course requirement.

Addiction Counselors:

• CAC, CPS, LAC:

  • Qualified continuing education is an academic course, in-house program, workshop, clinic, forum, lecture, program, seminar, or other educational activity delivered for the purpose of increasing or sustaining the proficiency of the licensee in the practice of addiction or prevention counseling.
  • There is no limit to the number of continuing education hours that can be completed online.
  • 4 hours of ethics each renewal period. Continued offers courses that may meet the ethics course requirement.
  • No qualified continuing education may be repeated in consecutive continuing education cycles.