School Counselor / South Dakota
2026 data South Dakota board official source

South Dakota School Counselor 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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Provides academic and social-emotional counseling to students.

What the South Dakota data shows for School Counselors

Becoming a licensed school counselor in South Dakota means clearing a defined set of hurdles: board-approved training, a passing score on State School Counselor Exam (Praxis or equivalent), and 1 year of supervised work experience, plus a background history check once the applicant turns 18. South Dakota regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Masters Degree in School Counseling".

The initial price tag is $56, and renewal costs $48 every 5 years. Maintaining the license requires 150 hours of continuing education per 5-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: State-specific reciprocity varies.

Licensing Ease Score

C
Licensing Ease Score
55/100
School Counselor · 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 N/A
N/A
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee A
$56
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden A+
$10/yr
$48 every 5 years
Continuing Education F
30.0 hrs/yr
150 hours every 5 years
Experience Required F
1 year
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in South Dakota

Education / Training Hours
Masters Degree in School Counseling
Not specified
Exam Requirement
State School Counselor Exam (Praxis or equivalent)
Required
Initial License Fee
$56
Renewal Fee
$48
Renewal Cycle
Every 5 years
Continuing Education
150 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Work Experience Required
1 year

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for School Counselor 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 School Counselor in South Dakota? ▼
In South Dakota, the license path calls for, a passing score on State School Counselor Exam (Praxis or equivalent), and a $56 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a School Counselor in South Dakota? ▼
Certification as a school counselor in South Dakota means clearing the state's checklist plus 1 year of work experience, and a passing exam score. The South Dakota licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my School Counselor license to South Dakota from another state? ▼
Reciprocity for school counselors nationally works like this: State-specific reciprocity varies. Beyond that baseline, interstate compacts exist for many professions and may smooth a transfer into South Dakota. Verify the specifics with the South Dakota licensing board.
Does South Dakota require a background check for School Counselor licensing? ▼
South Dakota does require a background check before issuing a school counselor license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for School Counselor in South Dakota? ▼
South Dakota ties continued school counselor licensure to 150 continuing-education hours, due every 5 years, alongside a $48 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this school counselor license

School Counselor in South Dakota, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a school counselor-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how South Dakota's school counselor requirements compare to every other state before relocating. School Counselor in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state school counselor 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.