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

South Dakota Physical Therapist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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Evaluates and treats movement disorders and injuries. Requires doctoral degree.

What the South Dakota data shows for Physical Therapists

South Dakota sets the entry bar for physical therapists at 3,081 training hours and a passing score on NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam). A background check is a standard part of the process, and applicants must be 18 or older. The credential is administered under South Dakota's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)".

The initial price tag is $97, and renewal costs $93 every 2 years. Maintaining the license requires 30 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

On reciprocity, physical therapists should know: PT Licensure Compact: 30+ member states.

Licensing Ease Score

D
Licensing Ease Score
49/100
Physical 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-
$97
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden C
$47/yr
$93 every 2 years
Continuing Education F
15.0 hrs/yr
30 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in South Dakota

Education / Training Hours
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
3,081 hours
Exam Requirement
NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$97
Renewal Fee
$93
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
30 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Physical 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 Physical Therapist in South Dakota? ▼
South Dakota requires 3081 education/training hours, passing an exam (NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam)), and an initial fee of $97. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Physical Therapist in South Dakota? ▼
Certification as a physical therapist in South Dakota means clearing the state's checklist: 3081 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The South Dakota licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Physical Therapist license to South Dakota from another state? ▼
For physical therapists, the reciprocity landscape looks like this: PT Licensure Compact: 30+ member states. Many professions are also covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability between states. Contact the South Dakota licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does South Dakota require a background check for Physical Therapist licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the physical therapist licensing process in South Dakota. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.
What are the continuing education requirements for Physical Therapist in South Dakota? ▼
Licensed physical therapists in South Dakota must complete 30 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $93.

Related Guides

What to do with this physical therapist license

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

  • See how South Dakota's physical therapist requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Physical Therapist in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state physical 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.