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Physical Therapist Assistant Licensure in South Dakota

  • Timeline 6-9 weeks
  • Initial Costs $208
  • Renewal Costs $120
  • CE Requirements 30 Hours
  • Compact Yes

How to apply

To secure your Travel Physical Therapist Assistant license in South Dakota, you'll be working with the South Dakota Board of Physical Therapy. Unlike many other states, South Dakota primarily uses a paper-based process, so you will access your application materials through the Licensing Requirements page. Before you start, I recommend requesting your transcripts and exam scores to get the ball rolling.

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Submit Your Application: Head over to the Board's website and download the Physical Therapist Assistant application form. This document must be notarized, so hold off on signing it until you are in the presence of a notary public. Once complete, mail the application and the fee directly to the Board's office in Spearfish.
  2. The Background Check: This step is a bit old-school. After the Board receives your application, they will mail you a specific fingerprint packet. You must use the fingerprint cards they provide. Take these cards to a local law enforcement agency or a fingerprinting service to get your prints rolled, then mail the completed cards back to the Board immediately.
  3. Verify Your Credentials: You'll need to prove your qualifications. Request your official transcripts be sent directly from your school to the Board. Additionally, log in to FSBPT to transfer your NPTE scores and contact every state where you have held a license to send official verification to South Dakota.

What You'll Need & Key Details

  • Documents to Have Ready: A notarized application form and your payment method (check or money order) for the application fee.
  • Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent directly from your school), NPTE Scores (via FSBPT), and License Verifications from all past and present states.
  • Exams: South Dakota does not currently require a separate Jurisprudence Exam for standard licensure.

Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in South Dakota:

  • Application Fee: $120
  • Background Check / Fingerprinting: $58 (approximate)
  • Jurisprudence Exam: $0
  • Verifications: $30 (approximate)
  • Total Estimated Initial Cost: $208

Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!

When to Renew: South Dakota Physical Therapist Assistant renewal happens biennially and is due by January 1st.

Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $120.

Note: Watch out—licenses expire on New Year's Day, so be sure to complete your requirements before the holidays!

30 Continuing Education Hours required every 2 years.

Deadline: December 31st of odd-numbered years.

Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Physical Therapist Assistant pros: there is currently no limit on home-study or online courses! You can complete all 30 hours through high-quality online platforms.

Provider Restrictions: South Dakota accepts courses from providers approved by the APTA, the South Dakota Physical Therapy Association, or other state physical therapy boards. General portals like MedBridge are widely accepted for meeting these requirements.

Mandatory Topics

  • No specific mandatory topics—choose what interests you!
  • Jurisprudence: While not a recurring CE requirement, ensure you are familiar with the South Dakota Physical Therapy Practice Act.

Excluded Topics: The board generally does not accept hours for CPR certification, basic first aid, business management, marketing, or financial planning. All courses must be directly related to the clinical practice of physical therapy.

New Licensee Rule: If you are a new grad or a traveler receiving your initial South Dakota license during the current renewal cycle, you are typically exempt from CE requirements for your first renewal.

Reporting: South Dakota uses an audit-based system. You do not need to submit certificates unless you are specifically selected for an audit. Keep your records and certificates of completion for at least 4 years.

Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the SD State Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners:


Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.

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How to Apply

To secure your Travel Physical Therapist Assistant license in South Dakota, you'll be working with the South Dakota Board of Physical Therapy. Unlike many other states, South Dakota primarily uses a paper-based process, so you will access your application materials through the Licensing Requirements page. Before you start, I recommend requesting your transcripts and exam scores to get the ball rolling.

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Submit Your Application: Head over to the Board's website and download the Physical Therapist Assistant application form. This document must be notarized, so hold off on signing it until you are in the presence of a notary public. Once complete, mail the application and the fee directly to the Board's office in Spearfish.
  2. The Background Check: This step is a bit old-school. After the Board receives your application, they will mail you a specific fingerprint packet. You must use the fingerprint cards they provide. Take these cards to a local law enforcement agency or a fingerprinting service to get your prints rolled, then mail the completed cards back to the Board immediately.
  3. Verify Your Credentials: You'll need to prove your qualifications. Request your official transcripts be sent directly from your school to the Board. Additionally, log in to FSBPT to transfer your NPTE scores and contact every state where you have held a license to send official verification to South Dakota.

What You'll Need & Key Details

  • Documents to Have Ready: A notarized application form and your payment method (check or money order) for the application fee.
  • Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent directly from your school), NPTE Scores (via FSBPT), and License Verifications from all past and present states.
  • Exams: South Dakota does not currently require a separate Jurisprudence Exam for standard licensure.

Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in South Dakota:

  • Application Fee: $120
  • Background Check / Fingerprinting: $58 (approximate)
  • Jurisprudence Exam: $0
  • Verifications: $30 (approximate)
  • Total Estimated Initial Cost: $208

Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!

When to Renew: South Dakota Physical Therapist Assistant renewal happens biennially and is due by January 1st.

Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $120.

Note: Watch out—licenses expire on New Year's Day, so be sure to complete your requirements before the holidays!

30 Continuing Education Hours required every 2 years.

Deadline: December 31st of odd-numbered years.

Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Physical Therapist Assistant pros: there is currently no limit on home-study or online courses! You can complete all 30 hours through high-quality online platforms.

Provider Restrictions: South Dakota accepts courses from providers approved by the APTA, the South Dakota Physical Therapy Association, or other state physical therapy boards. General portals like MedBridge are widely accepted for meeting these requirements.

Mandatory Topics

  • No specific mandatory topics—choose what interests you!
  • Jurisprudence: While not a recurring CE requirement, ensure you are familiar with the South Dakota Physical Therapy Practice Act.

Excluded Topics: The board generally does not accept hours for CPR certification, basic first aid, business management, marketing, or financial planning. All courses must be directly related to the clinical practice of physical therapy.

New Licensee Rule: If you are a new grad or a traveler receiving your initial South Dakota license during the current renewal cycle, you are typically exempt from CE requirements for your first renewal.

Reporting: South Dakota uses an audit-based system. You do not need to submit certificates unless you are specifically selected for an audit. Keep your records and certificates of completion for at least 4 years.

Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the SD State Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners:


Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.

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