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

South Dakota Respiratory Therapist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

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

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Treats patients with breathing disorders. Requires TMC exam.

What the South Dakota data shows for Respiratory Therapists

South Dakota sets the entry bar for respiratory therapists at 1,581 training hours and a passing score on TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice). 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 "Associate Degree".

The initial price tag is $66, and renewal costs $62 every 2 years. The license also carries an ongoing 24-hour continuing-education requirement per 2-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: Respiratory Therapy Licensure Compact: adoption underway.

Licensing Ease Score

C+
Licensing Ease Score
63/100
Respiratory 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
1,581 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee A-
$66
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden B
$31/yr
$62 every 2 years
Continuing Education C-
12.0 hrs/yr
24 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in South Dakota

Education / Training Hours
Associate Degree
1,581 hours
Exam Requirement
TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice)
Required
Initial License Fee
$66
Renewal Fee
$62
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
24 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Respiratory 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 Respiratory Therapist in South Dakota? ▼
South Dakota requires 1581 education/training hours, passing an exam (TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice)), and an initial fee of $66. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Respiratory Therapist in South Dakota? ▼
Certification as a respiratory therapist in South Dakota means clearing the state's checklist: 1581 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The South Dakota licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Respiratory Therapist license to South Dakota from another state? ▼
For respiratory therapists, the reciprocity landscape looks like this: Respiratory Therapy Licensure Compact: adoption underway. 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 Respiratory Therapist licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the respiratory 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 Respiratory Therapist in South Dakota? ▼
South Dakota ties continued respiratory therapist licensure to 24 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $62 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this respiratory therapist license

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

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