Occupational Therapist / South Dakota
2026 data South Dakota board official source

South Dakota Occupational Therapist 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

Helps patients develop daily living and work skills. Requires masters or doctoral degree.

What the South Dakota data shows for Occupational Therapists

To practice as an occupational therapist in South Dakota, the state licensing board requires 3,081 documented education or training hours, a passing score on NBCOT Certification Exam. A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The regulation sits under South Dakota's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Masters or Doctoral Degree".

Budget $93 to get started, plus $89 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. The license also carries an ongoing 36-hour continuing-education requirement per 2-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: OT Licensure Compact: 25+ member states.

Licensing Ease Score

D
Licensing Ease Score
48/100
Occupational Therapist · 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 F
3,081 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee C
$93
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden C+
$45/yr
$89 every 2 years
Continuing Education F
18.0 hrs/yr
36 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in South Dakota

Education / Training Hours
Masters or Doctoral Degree
3,081 hours
Exam Requirement
NBCOT Certification Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$93
Renewal Fee
$89
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
36 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Occupational Therapist 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 Occupational Therapist in South Dakota? ▼
South Dakota requires 3081 education/training hours, passing an exam (NBCOT Certification Exam), and an initial fee of $93. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as an Occupational Therapist in South Dakota? ▼
South Dakota licenses occupational therapists who complete its requirements (3081 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the South Dakota licensing board.
Can I transfer my Occupational Therapist license to South Dakota from another state? ▼
Occupational Therapist licenses generally reciprocate as follows: OT Licensure Compact: 25+ member states. Interstate licensing compacts cover many professions and can further ease a move between states. The South Dakota licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does South Dakota require a background check for Occupational Therapist licensing? ▼
Yes, South Dakota requires a criminal background check as part of the occupational therapist licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Occupational Therapist in South Dakota? ▼
Licensed occupational therapists in South Dakota must complete 36 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $89.

Related Guides

What to do with this occupational therapist license

Occupational Therapist in South Dakota, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in an occupational therapist-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how South Dakota's occupational therapist requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Occupational Therapist in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state occupational therapist license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how South Dakota's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. South Dakota overview

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.