South Dakota Physical Therapy Continuing Education Requirements

South Dakota physical therapy continuing education

If you’re a Physical Therapist or Physical Therapist Assistant in South Dakota, then you’ll need to renew your license biennially. Besides paying a fee and submitting paperwork, the law requires that you complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years. But getting in those hours might be easier than you think, especially when you consider all the options for online CEUs. Below I answer all your questions about South Dakota physical therapy continuing education requirements!

At a glance:

South Dakota – 30 CEU hours every two years by December 31st on odd-numbered years.

South Dakota Physical Therapy CEU Requirements

From the South Dakota Legislature Website: (SD source)

  1. “To renew a license, a physical therapist and physical therapist assistant shall complete thirty continuing education hours during the two-year license period.
  2. “Activities that qualify for credit toward completion of the continuing education requirement include programs sponsored or approved by the American Physical Therapy Association or other national or state physical therapy association, activities conducted by a hospital or related institution, and programs sponsored by a college or university. The educational activities must have significant intellectual or practical content dealing primarily with matters directly related to the practice of physical therapy or to the professional responsibility or ethical obligations of the participants.”

What CEU Courses are Allowed in South Dakota?

All license renewals are regulated by the South Dakota Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners (SDBMOE). They have set some guidelines for the kind of continuing education you may credit toward your license renewal. 

All CEU courses must be sponsored or approved by one of the following institutions:

  • The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) or its state chapters
  • Any other national or state physical therapy association
  • A hospital or related institution
  • A college or university 

In addition, all continuing education must have “significant intellectual or practical content” that is “directly related to the practice of physical therapy.” Courses that pertain to professionalism or ethics may also qualify.

These parameters are surprisingly bare, and the SDBMOE has left little guidance on their website for licensees who may want to complete their CEUs outside of coursework. For example, many other states regulate the amount of CEU credit you can earn from professional activities—such as in-service meetings, publication, and clinical supervision. Completing a specialty certification or residency may also qualify towards your overall CEU count. 

Because the SDBMOE’s website is silent on these particulars, it’s a good idea to simply contact the Board and ask. You can also reach out to the Board if you need to obtain approval for a specific course that doesn’t meet the criteria above.

Can I Use MedBridge in South Dakota?

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Yes, you can use an online CEU company like MedBridge Education to complete your South Dakota Physical Therapy continuing education. A quick check on the MedBridge website shows hundreds of courses approved by OPTA for PTs and PTAs in South Dakota.

An annual subscription to MedBridge Education grants you unlimited access to their vast library of CEU courses, as well as free registration for live and interactive webinars all year long. Whether you’re a PT or a PTA, you can find plenty of eligible courses on MedBridge. Use the MedBridge promo code PTProgress to save 40% on unlimited CEUs.

Do I need to submit proof of my completed CEUs?

Every legitimate CEU provider, including MedBridge, will give you a certificate of completion when you finish a CEU course or activity. You don’t need to submit this proof unless the Board requests it, such as for a formal audit. So it’s a good idea to hang onto all your CEU documentation for at least 3 years after your license renewal period is over. 

How much is the renewal fee?

It costs $120 to renew a PT or PTA license in South Dakota.

When does my South Dakota Physical Therapy license expire?

Licenses expire every two years on December 31st on odd-numbered years. 

How long does it take to renew a South Dakota Physical Therapy license?

For many states, it can take 4–8 weeks to process your request, so start the process early!

Compare Physical Therapy CEUs by State

How does your state compare? Take a look at all of the state-by-state CEU requirements in this comprehensive article.

Tim Fraticelli, DPT Physical Therapist

Tim Fraticelli is a Physical Therapist, Certified Financial Planner™ and founder of PTProgress.com. He loves to teach PTs and OTs ways to save time and money in and out of the clinic, especially when it comes to documentation or continuing education. Follow him on YouTube for weekly videos on ways to improve your financial health.