How to Get Your South Dakota Social Work License
Getting your South Dakota social work license is a vital step to build your career and practice authority. This applies whether you’re new to the field or moving up to the next level. South Dakota has four different social work license types: Licensed Social Work Associate (LSWA), Licensed Social Worker (LSW), Certified Social Worker (CSW), and Certified Social Worker in Private or Independent Practice (CSW-PIP).
South Dakota’s system offers two paths for professionals with a Master of Social Work degree. You can become a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) or a Licensed Certified Social Worker-Private Independent Practice (CSW-PIP). The state’s requirements include proper education credentials, passing required exams, and supervised work experience. On top of that, it’s mandatory to submit official transcripts that show you completed your degree from an institution accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
This guide will take you through the licensing process step by step. You’ll discover everything from educational requirements to application procedures. We’ll show you how to meet South Dakota Board of Social Work’s standards and start your rewarding career in social work.
Education Requirements
Your South Dakota social work license starts with education credentials that match your desired practice level. Each license type needs specific academic programs recognized by the South Dakota Board of Social Work.
Licensed Social Work Associate (LSWA) credentials serve as an entry point. You need a baccalaureate degree in a non-social work field or an associate of arts degree in human services from a Board-approved program. This path works well for people who studied something other than social work.
Licensed Social Worker (LSW) credentials need a baccalaureate degree in social work or social welfare from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program. You might use a bachelor’s degree in another field if you have two years of social work experience and complete board-approved social welfare classes.
A Certified Social Worker (CSW) license needs a master’s or doctorate degree from a CSWE-accredited school of social work. The University of South Dakota’s MSW program has kept its CSWE accreditation since 1974. They offer full-time and part-time tracks that fit different student schedules.
Certified Social Worker in Private or Independent Practice (CSW-PIP) requires CSW licensure first, plus extra experience. This advanced license lets you work in private settings or with public and voluntary institutions.
The state offers many flexible education options. Some schools have accelerated 3+2 programs where you can earn both bachelor’s and master’s degrees faster. BSW holders from accredited programs can enter MSW programs with Advanced Standing status. This means finishing your master’s in one year (30 credit hours) instead of two (59 credit hours).
CSWE accreditation matters because every U.S. state requires licensed social workers to graduate from CSWE-accredited programs. This accreditation shows you have the right critical thinking skills and knowledge for professional social work.
Look for programs that focus on ethics, compassion, and evidence-based practice. These elements plus field education under licensed professionals build a strong foundation for your social work career.
Exam Requirements
Your South Dakota social work license journey continues with the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) examination after you complete your education requirements.
The South Dakota Board of Social Work matches different exams to specific license levels. Social Work Associates and Social Workers take the same test, though associates need a lower passing score. Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) candidates must pass the Master’s-level ASWB exam. Clinical Social Worker-Private Independent Practice (CSW-PIP) candidates need to clear the Clinical-level ASWB exam.
The South Dakota Board of Social Work must approve your license application before you can register for any exam. Once they give you the green light, you can sign up with ASWB for your exam. Here’s what you’ll pay:
- Associate, Bachelors, or Masters exams: $230.00
- Advanced Generalist or Clinical exams: $260.00
The testing process is straightforward. Register with ASWB and pay your fee. You’ll receive an Authorization to Test email from ASWB when you’re approved. Then you can book your test at a Pearson VUE center – they run these exams at locations worldwide. Just pick your preferred date and location on their website.
ASWB helps you prepare with useful resources. Their Exam Guidebook walks you through what to expect, explains how they create exams, breaks down question types, and lists test-taking steps. Good preparation helps you avoid stress, delays, absences, and other issues.
ASWB also supports candidates with special needs. You might qualify for special testing arrangements if you have a disability, health condition, or if English isn’t your first language.
South Dakota’s social work licensing process doesn’t require GRE scores, unlike some graduate programs. They focus on your education, supervised experience, and passing the right ASWB exam.
While South Dakota doesn’t currently offer NASW-sponsored prep courses, you have plenty of study options. ASWB and other education providers offer study guides, practice tests, and flashcards to help you succeed.
Supervised Experience
Clinical supervision plays a key role in getting your South Dakota social work license, especially at advanced levels. The South Dakota Board of Social Work sets specific supervision rules for each type of license.
Licensed Social Work Associates (LSWA) need at least four contact hours each month with a licensed social worker or licensed certified social worker. You’ll need to make sure your supervisor sends an annual report using the board’s form.
Getting a Certified Social Worker in Private Independent Practice (CSW-PIP) license needs more supervision. You must be a licensed certified social worker for at least two years. You also need two years of supervised experience in your specialty area like psychotherapy, community organization, or planning.
CSW-PIP supervisors must meet strict standards. Your supervisor needs to:
- Be a CSW-PIP, psychologist, or psychiatrist licensed in South Dakota for at least two years and in good standing
- Complete six hours of supervisor continuing education before submitting the supervision agreement
- Take three hours of supervisor continuing education every two years while supervising
- Practice mainly in the same area as your intended practice
You must submit a supervision agreement to the South Dakota Board of Social Work before starting supervised work. This agreement shows your supervision plan and needs updates if your practice status changes.
Your work schedule determines the time commitment. Working 30 or more hours weekly means you need four hours of monthly supervision for two years. If you work 18-29 hours weekly, you’ll need two hours of monthly supervision over four years. Group supervision can’t be more than half your total supervision time in each six-month period.
Your supervisor must send reports to the board every six months. They need to stay available through technology or telecommunications even when not physically present.
The board might accept out-of-state supervision if it matches South Dakota’s standards. This helps candidates who have supervision experience from other states.
Supervisors and supervisees both have professional and legal duties to their clients during supervision. The licensing board may take disciplinary action against anyone who deliberately violates supervision duties.
Application Process
Getting your South Dakota social work license requires proper documentation and timing. The South Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners manages this process to make sure you meet all state professional standards.
You need several important documents to start your application. The application form is available on the South Dakota Board’s website. Your educational institution must send your official college transcripts directly to the Board office. This direct submission verifies your academic credentials.
Here are the steps you need to follow:
- Send your completed application form, official transcripts, supporting materials, and fees to the Board. Make checks payable to the “South Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners”.
- Pick an approved testing location and schedule your ASWB examination. Note that you pay exam fees to ASWB, not the Board office.
- The Board will issue your license after they approve your application and receive your passing examination scores.
- You’ll get a special license certificate that you must display where you practice.
Out-of-state applicants have additional requirements. You must get verification from every state where you hold or held a license. State board offices should send these verifications directly to the South Dakota Board. CSW-PIP applicants from other states must show their supervision matches South Dakota’s requirements.
License fees depend on the type you need. CSW-PIP applicants pay an application fee of $210.00. The Board won’t refund your application fee if they don’t approve you.
Before you submit, create a checklist with everything you need: your signed and notarized application, application fee, official transcripts request, verification from other states, and ASWB score reports for out-of-state applicants if not included in your license verification.
Continuing Education
Your South Dakota social work license renewal needs ongoing professional development through continuing education. The South Dakota Board of Social Work requires all licensees to complete 30 contact hours of continuing education every two years. You must dedicate six of these hours to social work ethics.
Social work professionals need to track their continuing education carefully to renew their license on time. Online courses now cover all 30 contact hours, which gives busy practitioners more flexibility. The continuing education requirements vary based on your original licensure date:
- Licensed prior to May 31, 2025: 40 hours (4 ethics)
- Licensed June 1, 2025 – November 30, 2025: 30 hours (3 ethics)
- Licensed December 1, 2025 – May 31, 2026: 20 hours (2 ethics)
- Licensed June 1, 2026 – November 30, 2026: No renewal required until 2028
Board Approved Supervisors must complete four additional hours of continuing education focused on supervision.
The Board accepts several education sources. Programs get approval from other state licensure boards, ASWB, or NASW. Your continuing education can cover college courses, workshops, seminars, conferences, lectures, and agency staff development activities that enhance social work practice, values, skills, and knowledge.
You can earn continuing education credit through professional contributions too. Social workers who create an academic course or workshop for the first time, or publish and present professional social work papers, can receive up to ten contact hours.
The Board may waive continuing education requirements in special cases. This happens when a licensee provides a physician’s certified statement that confirms physical incapacitation prevented them from completing required hours.
Meeting these continuing education requirements will keep your professional development current and your South Dakota social work license active.
Additional Information
Your South Dakota social work license comes with practical aspects you should know about, including fees and additional regulations.
The South Dakota Board of Social Work uses a tiered payment system based on license type. Application fees range from $90.00 for Social Work Associates to $210.00 for Certified Social Workers in Private Independent Practice. These fees cannot be refunded if your application fails to meet board approval. Bi-annual renewal fees match the application amounts. Late fees apply after the July 1 grace period and range from $45.00 to $105.00.
Licensed social workers moving from other states can take advantage of endorsement provisions. You can apply for a South Dakota license by submitting your out-of-state credentials instead of going through the entire process again. This requires a Verification of Out of State Experience Form and Verification of Licensure in Other State.
The South Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners has been around since 1975. The governor appoints seven members to the board – two lay members, three certified social workers licensed for private independent practice, and two professional social workers.
Licensed social workers must keep client information confidential. However, exceptions apply when you have written client consent or when a communication reveals plans for a crime. Other exceptions include cases where the client is a minor crime victim or when clients waive their privilege by filing charges against the social worker.
The South Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners’ official website provides the most up-to-date information on licensure requirements, as regulations can change.
Next Steps
Getting a South Dakota social work license opens doors to career growth for many aspiring professionals. This piece walks you through all the steps you need to get your license in the Mount Rushmore State.
Your experience starts with solid educational foundations and passing the ASWB examination. You’ll need supervised experience before you can direct your way through the application process with the South Dakota Board of Social Work. Licensed social workers must meet continuing education requirements to keep their credentials current.
Social workers in South Dakota serve in a variety of settings – from healthcare facilities to schools, government agencies to private practices. Their daily work touches countless lives.
The South Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners staff can help with questions about your specific case that general guidelines might not cover. Just reach out to them directly.
Social work gives you a chance to serve your community while building a rewarding career. The process might be demanding, but getting your South Dakota social work license pays off. You’ll get professional recognition, better job options, and knowing how to make positive changes in people’s lives makes it all worthwhile.
Good luck with your professional goals in social work!