Dental Assistant / South Dakota
2026 data South Dakota board official source

South Dakota Dental Assistant License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Assists dentists during procedures, takes X-rays, and manages patient records.

What the South Dakota data shows for Dental Assistants

South Dakota sets the entry bar for dental assistants at 1,000 training hours and a passing score on a state-approved exam. A background check is a standard part of the process. The credential is administered under South Dakota's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Certificate/Degree".

The initial price tag is $100 every 2 years. Continuing education is not a listed requirement for this profession in South Dakota, so the annualized maintenance burden is lower than in states that mandate ongoing hours.

There's no published reciprocity list here - South Dakota reviews out-of-state credentials individually.

Licensing Ease Score

D
Licensing Ease Score
47/100
Dental Assistant · South Dakota

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training D
1,000 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee C-
$100
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden N/A
N/A
Renewal fee annualized over the renewal cycle
Continuing Education N/A
N/A
Continuing-education hours annualized over the renewal cycle
Experience Required N/A
N/A
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in South Dakota

Education / Training Hours
Certificate/Degree
1,000 hours
Exam Requirement
Required
Initial License Fee
$100
Renewal Fee
N/A
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Required

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Dental Assistant All South Dakota licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with South Dakota licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Dental Assistant in South Dakota? ▼
South Dakota's requirements cover 1000 hours of education or training, a state exam, and an initial fee of $100. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Dental Assistant in South Dakota? ▼
Certification as a dental assistant in South Dakota means clearing the state's checklist: 1000 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The South Dakota licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Dental Assistant license to South Dakota from another state? ▼
Out-of-state dental assistant credentials get a case-by-case review in South Dakota rather than automatic recognition. Interstate compacts exist for a number of professions and might still help. Confirm the details with the South Dakota licensing board.
Does South Dakota require a background check for Dental Assistant licensing? ▼
Yes, South Dakota requires a criminal background check as part of the dental assistant licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.

Related Guides

What to do with this dental assistant license

Dental Assistant in South Dakota is one requirement row in a dental assistant-wide, 50-state comparison.

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the South Dakota licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.