Clinical Supervision Requirements in South Dakota

Licensing Board Overview

In South Dakota, mental health professions are regulated by two separate boards under the Department of Social Services: the Board of Social Work Examiners and the Board of Examiners for Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists.

CSW-PIP: Certified Social Worker in Private, Independent Practice (South Dakota)

South Dakota's CSW-PIP is governed by the Board of Social Work Examiners, ARSD 20:59. Candidates hold a Certified Social Worker (CSW) license while accruing supervised experience.

Supervised Experience Requirements

• Total supervised experience: 24 months of supervised experience after CSW licensure, in the field of specialization you will practice in, while working at least 30 hours a week. Part-time work of 18 to 29 hours a week takes four years (SDCL 36-26-17; ARSD 20:59:05:07).
• Supervision hours: At least 4 hours of individual supervision a month (2 hours a month for part-time candidates). Group supervision or consultation may not exceed half of total supervision time in each six-month period.
• Supervision contract: A supervision contract with each supervisor must be filed and approved by the board before that supervision counts (ARSD 20:59:05:05).
• Evaluations: Each supervisor submits an evaluation every six months and a final evaluation at 24 months.
• Exam: ASWB Clinical Examination

Supervisor Qualifications

• A CSW-PIP, psychologist, or psychiatrist licensed in good standing in South Dakota for at least two years (ARSD 20:59:05:03)
• At least 6 hours of supervisor continuing education before submitting a supervision contract, then 3 hours every two years

LPC: Licensed Professional Counselor (South Dakota)

South Dakota's LPC is governed by the Board of Examiners for Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists, ARSD 20:68. Candidates work under a board-approved post graduate plan of supervision, which is approved after passing the NCE.

Supervised Experience Requirements

• Total supervised experience: 2,000 hours under an approved plan, within the four years before application (SDCL 36-32-64)
• Direct client contact: At least 1,000 hours, no more than 400 of them by electronic means (ARSD 20:68:04:10)
• Supervision hours: At least 100 hours, with at least 1 hour of supervision for every 20 hours of direct client contact and no more than 50 hours in group
• Supervision methods: At least 5 hours each of case presentation, direct observation, co-counseling, and record review
• Counseling related activity: 900 hours, credited at 55 minutes for each hour of direct client contact

LPC-MH: Licensed Professional Counselor - Mental Health (South Dakota)

South Dakota's LPC-MH is governed by the Board of Examiners for Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists, ARSD 20:73. Candidates hold a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) license and work under a separate LPC-MH plan of supervision.

Supervised Experience Requirements

• Total supervised experience: 2,000 hours of direct client contact under an approved LPC-MH plan (SDCL 36-32-65). There is no cap on direct hours by electronic means.
• Carry-forward: Up to 1,000 direct client contact hours and 50 supervision hours may carry forward from an LPC plan, but only if that supervisor met the LPC-MH supervisor qualifications (ARSD 20:73:04:08)
• Supervision hours: At least 100 hours, with at least 1 hour per 20 hours of direct client contact and no more than 50 hours in group
• Exam: NCMHCE (National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination)

Supervisor Qualifications

• An LPC-MH, LMFT, CSW-PIP, psychologist, or psychiatrist with Board Approved Supervisor status. An LPC cannot supervise an LPC-MH plan (ARSD 20:73:04:07).

LMFT: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (South Dakota)

South Dakota's LMFT is governed by the Board of Examiners for Counselors & Marriage and Family Therapists, ARSD 20:71. Candidates are typically referred to as LMFT Supervisees while accruing hours under a board-approved plan of supervision.

Supervised Experience Requirements

• Total supervised experience: 1,700 hours under an approved plan, within the four years before application: 1,600 hours of direct client contact plus 100 hours of supervision (SDCL 36-33-43; ARSD 20:71:05:02)
• Electronic hours: No more than 1,000 direct client contact hours by electronic means
• Supervision hours: At least 100 hours, including at least 5 hours each of case presentation, direct observation, co-counseling, and record review. The board's FAQ says 200 hours, but the rule and the board's forms say 100, so confirm with the board.
• Exam: National MFT examination. Confirm the current exam with the board.

Supervisor Qualifications

• An LPC-MH or LMFT with Board Approved Supervisor status (ARSD 20:71:05:01)

South Dakota-Specific Details

Social Work Licensure Tiers

South Dakota uses unique terminology for its social work licenses. The master's-level license is the CSW (Certified Social Worker), and the independent license is the CSW-PIP (Certified Social Worker in Private, Independent Practice).

Counseling Licensure Tiers

Counselors first obtain the LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor), then complete a separate plan of supervision for the LPC-MH (Licensed Professional Counselor - Mental Health).

Plans of Supervision and More Than One Supervisor

For the LPC, LPC-MH, and LMFT, no hours count until the board approves a plan of supervision with that supervisor. A supervisee may have more than one approved supervisor, and a separate plan application is needed for each one. Hours are recorded on the board's tracking form, one form per supervisor, and each supervisor submits an Attachment A at application (ARSD 20:68:01:09, 20:68:04:15).

Interstate Compacts

South Dakota enacted the Counseling Compact and the Social Work Licensure Compact in 2024. Neither is issuing privileges to practice in South Dakota yet. Counselors licensed under the 48-credit exception are not eligible for the Counseling Compact.

Virtual Supervision in South Dakota

For the LPC, LPC-MH, and LMFT, supervision may take place by electronic means, but it must be synchronous (ARSD 20:68:04:10). Separate caps apply to direct client hours done electronically: 400 for the LPC and 1,000 for the LMFT. For the CSW-PIP, the rules say only that a supervisor who is not physically present must be available by telecommunications. Confirm with the board whether video supervision counts toward the monthly hours.

Key South Dakota Board Contact Information

• Board of Social Work Examiners: dss.sd.gov/licensingboards/socialwork
• Board of Examiners for Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists: dss.sd.gov/licensingboards/counselors

How to Become a Clinical Supervisor in South Dakota

Supervisor requirements in South Dakota vary by discipline. Always confirm current standards with the appropriate board.

Becoming a CSW-PIP Supervisor

• Hold a South Dakota CSW-PIP, psychologist, or psychiatrist license in good standing for at least two years
• Complete 6 hours of supervisor continuing education before your first contract, then 3 hours every two years
• There is no separate supervisor registration. The board approves each supervision contract.

Becoming an LPC or LPC-MH Supervisor

• For an LPC plan: hold an LPC, LPC-MH, LMFT, CSW-PIP, psychologist, or psychiatrist license. For an LPC-MH plan, an LPC license does not qualify.
• Qualify through one route: CCE Approved Clinical Supervisor, licensed 2 years with 4 hours of supervision CE in the prior two years, licensed 1 year with 15 hours, or AAMFT Approved Supervisor
• Apply for Board Approved Supervisor status. It runs to November 30 of each even year and renews with 4 hours of supervision CE (ARSD 20:68:04:12-13).

Becoming an LMFT Supervisor

• Hold an LPC-MH or LMFT license
• Qualify by being licensed 2 years with 4 hours of supervision CE, licensed 1 year with 15 hours, or an AAMFT Approved Supervisor
• Apply for Board Approved Supervisor status and renew it every even year (ARSD 20:71:05:06-07)

How Guidara Helps South Dakota Supervisors

Guidara keeps your hour logs, signed supervision notes, and timesheet approvals in one place, with timestamps and audit trails. It exports PDF records you can use when completing the board's tracking forms, Attachment A, or CSW-PIP evaluations. Guidara does not fill or submit board forms. South Dakota expects typed tracking forms submitted as signed originals and notarized applications, so check each form's instructions.