Physical Therapist Licensure in South Dakota
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Timeline 6-9 weeks
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Initial Costs $106
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Renewal Costs $120
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CE Requirements 30 Hours
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Compact Yes
How to apply
To secure your Travel Physical Therapist license in South Dakota, you'll be working with the South Dakota Board of Physical Therapy. Unlike many other states, South Dakota still uses a paper-based process for initial applicants, so you will download your application materials directly from their Licensing Requirements page. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and transcripts to get the ball rolling.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Download and Mail the Application: Head over to the Board's website and download the initial application form. You'll need to fill this out, get it notarized, and mail it in with your fee. This is a "snail mail" state for new licenses, so make sure everything is filled out perfectly before you hit the post office.
- Request the Background Check Packet: This step is unique—you can't start it until the Board receives your application. Once they have your application, they will mail you a specific fingerprint packet. You must use the cards they provide. Once you receive them, get fingerprinted and mail them back to the Board immediately.
- Submit Your Credentials: While you wait for the fingerprint packet, request your official transcripts and license verifications. These must come directly from the source (your school and previous state boards) to the South Dakota Board office.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: A valid Driver's License or ID, your Social Security Number, and a list of all states where you have held a license.
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent directly from your school), NPTE scores (transferred via FSBPT), and License Verifications from every state you've practiced in.
- Exams: You need passing NPTE scores. There is no Jurisprudence Exam required for a standard license, though one is required if you are applying for Compact privileges.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in South Dakota:
- Application Fee: $60
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $46 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $0
- Verifications: $0
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $106
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: South Dakota Physical Therapist renewal happens biennially and is due by January 1st of even-numbered years.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $120.
Note: Watch out—this state does not have a grace period, so licenses not renewed by the deadline are immediately considered lapsed and require a full relicensure application.
CE Requirements
30 Continuing Education Hours required every two years.
Deadline: January 1st of your renewal year (typically biennial cycles ending in even-numbered years).
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Physical Therapist CEUs: there is no limit on online activities! You can complete all 30 hours via home-study or webinars, provided they are "Category 1" (certified) courses.
Provider Restrictions: South Dakota is traveler-friendly. Courses are accepted if they are approved by the APTA, the South Dakota Chapter (APTA-SD), the South Dakota Board of Physical Therapy, or a physical therapy licensing board in any other state. General portals like MedBridge are widely accepted under these rules. Note: 1 CEU = 10 Continuing Education Hours.
Mandatory Topics
- No specific mandatory topics—choose what interests you!
- [Jurisprudence: No law or ethics exam is required for renewal.]
Excluded Topics: CPR certification/recertification, breaks in instruction, courses under 60 minutes, employment orientation, business/management seminars (not directly related to PT operations), marketing, and staff meetings.
New Licensee Rule: If you graduated from an accredited program within the same two-year licensing cycle, you can apply for a partial waiver of up to 15 hours for your first renewal.
Reporting: South Dakota is audit-based. You must sign a statement of completion on your renewal application and maintain a "CE Hour Summary Form" along with your certificates for your records. Do not send certificates unless specifically audited.
Board Information
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:
- Address: 101 N Main Ave, Suite 301 Sioux Falls, SD 57104
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (605) 367-7781
- Email: office@sdlicensing.com
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 license in South Dakota, you'll be working with the South Dakota Board of Physical Therapy. Unlike many other states, South Dakota still uses a paper-based process for initial applicants, so you will download your application materials directly from their Licensing Requirements page. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and transcripts to get the ball rolling.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Download and Mail the Application: Head over to the Board's website and download the initial application form. You'll need to fill this out, get it notarized, and mail it in with your fee. This is a "snail mail" state for new licenses, so make sure everything is filled out perfectly before you hit the post office.
- Request the Background Check Packet: This step is unique—you can't start it until the Board receives your application. Once they have your application, they will mail you a specific fingerprint packet. You must use the cards they provide. Once you receive them, get fingerprinted and mail them back to the Board immediately.
- Submit Your Credentials: While you wait for the fingerprint packet, request your official transcripts and license verifications. These must come directly from the source (your school and previous state boards) to the South Dakota Board office.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: A valid Driver's License or ID, your Social Security Number, and a list of all states where you have held a license.
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent directly from your school), NPTE scores (transferred via FSBPT), and License Verifications from every state you've practiced in.
- Exams: You need passing NPTE scores. There is no Jurisprudence Exam required for a standard license, though one is required if you are applying for Compact privileges.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in South Dakota:
- Application Fee: $60
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $46 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $0
- Verifications: $0
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $106
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: South Dakota Physical Therapist renewal happens biennially and is due by January 1st of even-numbered years.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $120.
Note: Watch out—this state does not have a grace period, so licenses not renewed by the deadline are immediately considered lapsed and require a full relicensure application.
CE Requirements
30 Continuing Education Hours required every two years.
Deadline: January 1st of your renewal year (typically biennial cycles ending in even-numbered years).
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Physical Therapist CEUs: there is no limit on online activities! You can complete all 30 hours via home-study or webinars, provided they are "Category 1" (certified) courses.
Provider Restrictions: South Dakota is traveler-friendly. Courses are accepted if they are approved by the APTA, the South Dakota Chapter (APTA-SD), the South Dakota Board of Physical Therapy, or a physical therapy licensing board in any other state. General portals like MedBridge are widely accepted under these rules. Note: 1 CEU = 10 Continuing Education Hours.
Mandatory Topics
- No specific mandatory topics—choose what interests you!
- [Jurisprudence: No law or ethics exam is required for renewal.]
Excluded Topics: CPR certification/recertification, breaks in instruction, courses under 60 minutes, employment orientation, business/management seminars (not directly related to PT operations), marketing, and staff meetings.
New Licensee Rule: If you graduated from an accredited program within the same two-year licensing cycle, you can apply for a partial waiver of up to 15 hours for your first renewal.
Reporting: South Dakota is audit-based. You must sign a statement of completion on your renewal application and maintain a "CE Hour Summary Form" along with your certificates for your records. Do not send certificates unless specifically audited.
Board Information
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:
- Address: 101 N Main Ave, Suite 301 Sioux Falls, SD 57104
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (605) 367-7781
- Email: office@sdlicensing.com
Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.