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South Dakota Marriage & Family Therapy — Requirements & Free Practice

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Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Ordinary license, including examination, endorsement, statutory expedited military issuance, renewal and restoration.

Licensing authority: South Dakota Board of Examiners for Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists · Application information

Discretionary reinstatement or new issuance after disciplinary action
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Use the prescribed application; provide additional information or Board-required conditions for the individual reinstatement decision.
Board Discretion
SDCL 36-33-66 authorizes the Board, at its discretion, to reinstate or issue a new license or permit; it identifies no licensing examination for this reinstatement route.
Costs
Board may require all costs of proceedings resulting in suspension, revocation, reinstatement or issuance.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure by endorsement
AMFTRB Marital and Family Therapy National Examination
Active Practice
At least 1,500 clinical-experience hours during the three years immediately before application.
Application
ARSD 20:71:04:02 sets a $100 application fee, $225 biennial license fee, $50 temporary license fee and $25 inactive fee; applicable fees and Board forms are required under ARSD 20:71:02:01.
Discipline
No record of unprofessional conduct or pending disciplinary complaints in the other jurisdiction.
Equivalent Exam
ARSD 20:71:03:01 permits a Board-deemed equivalent examination; the unnamed equivalent is an applicant condition, not an additional identified exam leaf.
Faq Reciprocity
Board FAQ still states "Per SD codified laws 36-32-16 and 36-33-18, the board may grant a license to any person who, at the time of application, is licensed under the laws of a state or territory of the United States that imposes substantially the same or greater requirements as these chapters." SDCL 36-33-18 is repealed and ARSD 20:71:02:03 reciprocity is repealed; current endorsement is governed by SDCL 36-33-45 and ARSD 20:71:02:07.
Other License
Current marriage and family therapy license in good standing in another U.S. state or territory; jurisdiction of that licensing authority for at least three years before application. Board form asks for the highest level of independent practice for at least three years.
Passing Score
Provide an official passing AMFTRB national examination score directly to the Board; previously passing a currently offered examination remains an exam leaf.
Verification
Verify application information under penalty of perjury; provide requested clarifications, applicable criminal and disciplinary disclosures, a recent photograph, and license verification where applicable.
Initial licensure by examination
AMFTRB Marital and Family Therapy National Examination
Application
ARSD 20:71:04:02 sets a $100 application fee, $225 biennial license fee, $50 temporary license fee and $25 inactive fee; applicable fees and Board forms are required under ARSD 20:71:02:01.
Character
No pending disciplinary proceeding or unresolved complaint; good moral character and compliance with governing law and rules; Board may grant licensure despite a qualifying conviction if applicant does not pose a public-safety risk, SDCL 36-33-43.
Education
Master's or doctoral degree of at least 48 semester credits (72 quarter credits) in a Board-recognized accredited marriage and family therapy program or approved equivalent; ARSD 20:71:02:10-13 governs institutional accreditation, approved curricula and up to 12 post-degree semester credits to cure missing academic requirements before plan approval.
Equivalent Exam
ARSD 20:71:03:01 permits a Board-deemed equivalent examination; the unnamed equivalent is an applicant condition, not an additional identified exam leaf.
Exam Timing
Provide an official national passing score before full licensure. The examinations page says, "A South Dakota license-trainee for the LMFT must pass the NMFTE before submitting the Plan of Supervision for their supervised training requirements." The LMFT page instead describes plan approval as the first step and passing before full licensure. These Board instructions are retained as timing conditions; both involve the same national examination.
Faq Supervision
The Board FAQ says "completed 1700 hours post-graduate supervised experience in conjunction with 200 hours of supervision"; the controlling ARSD 20:71:05:02 specifies 1,600 client hours plus 100 supervision hours.
Health
SDCL 36-33-44 permits a Board-paid physical or mental health examination by an authorized health care provider; this medical evaluation is an applicant condition, not a professional licensing exam.
Plan
Board approval is required before hours accrue, a plan is required per supervisor, valid two years, renewable once, and may be extended for hardship before expiry; ARSD 20:71:02:05.
Supervision
Within four years preceding application, complete 1,700 postgraduate hours under a Board-approved plan: at least 1,600 direct client-contact hours and 100 supervision hours; no more than 1,000 electronic client-contact hours, at least one supervision hour per 20 contact hours, no more than 50 group supervision hours, and at least five hours of each supervision method in ARSD 20:71:05:02. Board may extend the four-year completion limit for good cause. Up to 100 verified personal-therapy hours may count as client contact; recognized supervision from another South Dakota licensing board may be accepted under ARSD 20:71:05:04.
Verification
Verify application information under penalty of perjury; provide requested clarifications, applicable criminal and disciplinary disclosures, a recent photograph, and license verification where applicable.
Restoration after inactive license expires
AMFTRB Marital and Family Therapy National Examination
Application
ARSD 20:71:04:02 sets a $100 application fee, $225 biennial license fee, $50 temporary license fee and $25 inactive fee; applicable fees and Board forms are required under ARSD 20:71:02:01.
Character
No pending disciplinary proceeding or unresolved complaint; good moral character and compliance with governing law and rules; Board may grant licensure despite a qualifying conviction if applicant does not pose a public-safety risk, SDCL 36-33-43.
Education
Master's or doctoral degree of at least 48 semester credits (72 quarter credits) in a Board-recognized accredited marriage and family therapy program or approved equivalent; ARSD 20:71:02:10-13 governs institutional accreditation, approved curricula and up to 12 post-degree semester credits to cure missing academic requirements before plan approval.
Equivalent Exam
ARSD 20:71:03:01 permits a Board-deemed equivalent examination; the unnamed equivalent is an applicant condition, not an additional identified exam leaf.
Exam Timing
All initial-licensure provisions apply under SDCL 36-33-52; official national passing score required under SDCL 36-33-43 and ARSD 20:71:02:06.
Faq Supervision
The Board FAQ says "completed 1700 hours post-graduate supervised experience in conjunction with 200 hours of supervision"; the controlling ARSD 20:71:05:02 specifies 1,600 client hours plus 100 supervision hours.
Health
SDCL 36-33-44 permits a Board-paid physical or mental health examination by an authorized health care provider; this medical evaluation is an applicant condition, not a professional licensing exam.
Plan
Board approval is required before hours accrue, a plan is required per supervisor, valid two years, renewable once, and may be extended for hardship before expiry; ARSD 20:71:02:05.
Prior Status
The inactive license was not reactivated before its four-year expiration; SDCL 36-33-52 applies all applicant-for-licensure provisions to restoration.
Supervision
Within four years preceding application, complete 1,700 postgraduate hours under a Board-approved plan: at least 1,600 direct client-contact hours and 100 supervision hours; no more than 1,000 electronic client-contact hours, at least one supervision hour per 20 contact hours, no more than 50 group supervision hours, and at least five hours of each supervision method in ARSD 20:71:05:02. Board may extend the four-year completion limit for good cause. Up to 100 verified personal-therapy hours may count as client contact; recognized supervision from another South Dakota licensing board may be accepted under ARSD 20:71:05:04.
Verification
Verify application information under penalty of perjury; provide requested clarifications, applicable criminal and disciplinary disclosures, a recent photograph, and license verification where applicable.
Reactivation of expired license within four years
AMFTRB Marital and Family Therapy National Examination
Continuing Education
Provide proof of continuing education required for the expiration period. The Board reactivation form additionally states "40 hours of continuing education during the two-year period immediately preceding the reactivation request is required." and requests evidence of four ethics hours.
Equivalent Exam
ARSD 20:71:03:01 permits a Board-deemed equivalent examination; the unnamed equivalent is an applicant condition, not an additional identified exam leaf.
Fees
Pay applicable renewal fees for the expiration period and file the completed reactivation form.
Passing Score
Pass the Board-approved national examination after the original license expired and submit the official score.
Prior Status
Former LMFT license expired; seek reactivation within four years after expiration.
Reactivation before inactive license expires
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
At least 40 hours in the two years immediately before reactivation, including four ethics hours; provide completion certificates required by the Board form.
Fees
Pay the $225 renewal fee and submit the Board reactivation application.
Prior Status
Hold an inactive LMFT license and apply before its four-year expiration.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Late renewal within thirty days after expiration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
40 qualified continuing education hours every two years, including at least four marriage and family ethics hours; initial cycles are prorated; Board may extend or waive continuing education for good cause before expiration.
Fees
Applicable renewal fees; Board FAQ states "A $50 late penalty is required by law for each license type."
Time Window
Application and proof of continuing education within thirty days after expiration may be granted renewal; the license is automatically suspended at the missed November 30 deadline and practice must cease.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Expedited licensure for active duty military personnel and spouses
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Complete application with required documentation; no act constituting disciplinary grounds; qualifying license is issued within thirty days after the completed application.
Board Form Demand
The general endorsement application also states "Licensure by Endorsement in South Dakota requires passage of a national examination." This is retained as the Board form demand; the overriding issuance criteria in SDCL 36-1B-1 do not require an examination.
Compacts
SDCL 36-1B-6 preserves existing professional compacts and agreements and permits ordinary licensure as otherwise provided by law.
Fees
SDCL 36-1B-4 forbids application and other licensing-body fees for this issuance.
Other License
Hold in good standing the same or similar valid license from another state or the District of Columbia.
Status
Active-duty member of the U.S. armed forces or spouse of such member; subject of a military transfer to South Dakota.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Renewal of license issued under military expedited procedure
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
40 qualified continuing education hours every two years, including at least four marriage and family ethics hours; initial cycles are prorated; Board may extend or waive continuing education for good cause before expiration.
Eligibility
Renewal continues only while active-duty orders do not transfer the applicant out of South Dakota, the underlying same or similar license stays in good standing, the applicant complies with South Dakota maintenance requirements, and the stationed member remains on full-time active duty.
Prior License
License issued under SDCL 36-1B-1.
Renewal
Comply with ordinary Board renewal and maintenance requirements.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Biennial renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
40 qualified continuing education hours every two years, including at least four marriage and family ethics hours; initial cycles are prorated; Board may extend or waive continuing education for good cause before expiration.
Deadline
Apply before November 30 in even-numbered years; renewal applications open October 1.
Existing License
Hold an existing LMFT license.
Fees
Pay the applicable renewal fee.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Temporary License as a Marriage and Family Therapist

Temporary endorsement license for an eligible out-of-state therapist who has not passed the required national examination; up to ninety days, renewable once.

Licensing authority: South Dakota Board of Examiners for Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists · Application information

Temporary licensure pending national examination
AMFTRB Marital and Family Therapy National Examination
Active Practice
At least 1,500 clinical-experience hours during the three years immediately before application.
Application
ARSD 20:71:04:02 sets a $100 application fee, $225 biennial license fee, $50 temporary license fee and $25 inactive fee; applicable fees and Board forms are required under ARSD 20:71:02:01.
Discipline
No record of unprofessional conduct or pending disciplinary complaints in the other jurisdiction.
Duration
Up to ninety days from issuance or until national-examination passage, whichever occurs first; renewable only once.
Exam Condition
Applicant has not passed the national examination required for endorsement. Passing is not a prerequisite to temporary issuance; the route nonetheless involves the named current national exam because passage automatically terminates this temporary license.
Other License
Current marriage and family therapy license in good standing in another U.S. state or territory; jurisdiction of that licensing authority for at least three years before application. Board form asks for the highest level of independent practice for at least three years.
Oversight
Temporary licensees remain subject to Board supervision, discipline and jurisdiction.
Verification
Verify application information under penalty of perjury; provide requested clarifications, applicable criminal and disciplinary disclosures, a recent photograph, and license verification where applicable.
One time renewal of temporary license
AMFTRB Marital and Family Therapy National Examination
Active Practice
At least 1,500 clinical-experience hours during the three years immediately before application.
Application
ARSD 20:71:04:02 sets a $100 application fee, $225 biennial license fee, $50 temporary license fee and $25 inactive fee; applicable fees and Board forms are required under ARSD 20:71:02:01.
Discipline
No record of unprofessional conduct or pending disciplinary complaints in the other jurisdiction.
Duration
Up to ninety days from issuance or until national-examination passage, whichever occurs first; renewable only once.
Exam Condition
Applicant has not passed the national examination required for endorsement. Passing is not a prerequisite to temporary issuance; the route nonetheless involves the named current national exam because passage automatically terminates this temporary license.
Existing License
Hold a temporary endorsement license that has not already been renewed; one renewal permitted.
Other License
Current marriage and family therapy license in good standing in another U.S. state or territory; jurisdiction of that licensing authority for at least three years before application. Board form asks for the highest level of independent practice for at least three years.
Oversight
Temporary licensees remain subject to Board supervision, discipline and jurisdiction.
Verification
Verify application information under penalty of perjury; provide requested clarifications, applicable criminal and disciplinary disclosures, a recent photograph, and license verification where applicable.

AMFTRB Marital and Family Therapy National Examination

Provider
Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB); administered for AMFTRB by Professional Testing Corporation (PTC) at Prometric computer-based testing centers
Format
Computer-based examination of objective multiple-choice questions, each with four alternative answers of which only one is correct; given during a one-week testing window every month; scores on the six domains and the total examination are reported after the window closes
Exam questions
180 multiple-choice items
Time limit
4 hours total testing time
Passing score
Criterion-referenced passing score set on an anchor examination by a modified Angoff method and adjusted across forms by equating; the reported score equals the total number of correct responses
Exam fee
US $370.00 examination fee (includes testing center fees)
Examination outline
  • Domain 01 — The Practice of Systemic Therapy — Tasks related to incorporating systemic theory and perspectives into practice activities, and establishing and maintaining ongoing therapeutic relationships with the client system inclusive of diverse cultural contexts. (16%; 29 items) (16%)
    • 01.01 Conceptualize therapy consistent with the philosophical perspectives of systemic theory.
    • 01.02 Maintain consistency between systemic theory and clinical practice.
    • 01.03 Integrate individual treatment approaches with systemic treatment approaches.
    • 01.04 Integrate multiple dimensions of diversity and social justice theories with systemic treatment approaches.
    • 01.05 Use a systemic perspective to co-create a safe, inclusive, and non-judgmental space.
    • 01.06 Use a systemic perspective to co-create a therapeutic relationship with the client system.
    • 01.07 Use a systemic perspective to understand the complexities inherent in therapeutic interactions (e.g., family homeostasis, self of the therapist).
  • Domain 02 — Assessing, Hypothesizing, and Diagnosing — Tasks related to assessing and conceptualizing the various dimensions of the client system inclusive of diverse cultural contexts, including forming and reformulating systemic hypotheses and diagnosing the client system to guide therapeutic activities and interventions, including use of artificial intelligence (AI) as appropriate. (16%; 29 items) (16%)
    • 02.01 Assess the client system’s verbal and non-verbal communication styles to develop hypotheses about relationship patterns, perceptions, and responses to the reciprocal influence of relational patterns and the presenting issues.
    • 02.02 Assess the mental status of clients.
    • 02.03 Assess historic and current self-injurious behavior, suicidal ideation and intent, and/or homicidal ideation and intent.
    • 02.04 Identify and assess behavioral dynamics, processes, and interactional patterns (e.g., boundaries, roles, rules, alliances, coalitions, and hierarchies) within the client system to determine systemic functioning.
    • 02.05 Formulate and continually assess hypotheses regarding the client system that consider and incorporate diverse contexts.
    • 02.06 Assess appropriateness of potential treatment and therapeutic delivery modalities for the client system.
    • 02.07 Assess environmental factors (e.g., discrimination, gang violence, migration) affecting the client system.
    • 02.08 Assess the client system’s levels of economic, social, emotional, physical, spiritual, and cognitive functioning.
    • 02.09 Assess historic and current effects of substance use disorders on the functioning of the client system.
    • 02.10 Assess historic and current effects of violence or trauma, including vicarious trauma, on the client system.
    • 02.11 Assess historic and current effects of childhood experiences and traumas on the client system.
    • 02.12 Assess historic and current effects of impact of process use disorders (e.g., gambling, internet use, technology use, shopping) on functioning of the client system.
    • 02.13 Assess historic and current effects of sexual functioning on the client system.
    • 02.14 Assess how the developmental and family life cycle stages of the client system impact problem formation, maintenance, and resolution.
    • 02.15 Assess strengths, resources, coping skills, and resilience within and available to the client system.
    • 02.16 Select, administer, review, and/or interpret results of standardized instruments within the therapist’s training, competence, and scope of practice.
    • 02.17 Assess and diagnose clients in accordance with current DSM and ICD diagnostic criteria while maintaining a systems perspective.
    • 02.18 Formulate treatment hypotheses that integrate systemic perspectives, assessment inventories, and diagnostic impressions.
    • 02.19 Assess effects of occupational issues on the client system (e.g., military personnel, workers in geographically dispersed locations, first responders).
    • 02.20 Collaborate with the client system to determine need for evaluation by other professional and community systems.
    • 02.21 Collaborate with professional and community systems as appropriate in making diagnoses and establishing treatment priorities.
    • 02.22 Collaborate with the client system to refer as appropriate based on diagnoses and treatment priorities.
  • Domain 03 — Designing and Conducting Treatment — Tasks related to developing and implementing a course of culturally responsive treatment with the client system, including identifying possible therapeutic models, implementing associated interventions, and treatment planning, including use of artificial intelligence (AI) as appropriate. (17%; 30 items) (17%)
    • 03.01 Evaluate and maintain a quality therapeutic alliance with the client system.
    • 03.02 Establish therapeutic contracts.
    • 03.03 Utilize assessment information to develop a treatment plan that reflects a contextual understanding of the presenting issue.
    • 03.04 Determine relevant short-term goals, long-term goals and objectives for treatment, as well as criteria for successful completion of treatment.
    • 03.05 Identify the client system’s previous and current attempts to resolve the presenting issues.
    • 03.06 Identify members of client and collateral systems involved in resolving issues.
    • 03.07 Develop and monitor ongoing safety plan to address identified safety risks for the client in all therapeutic delivery contexts.
    • 03.08 Engage in therapeutic interventions based on theory and current research and a shared contextual understanding of the client system and presenting issues.
    • 03.09 Clarify with the client system the rationale for selecting therapeutic interventions as appropriate.
    • 03.10 Collaborate with the client system to determine sequence of treatment and identify which members will be involved.
    • 03.11 Develop and monitor recovery-oriented systemic care for treatment of substance use disorders.
    • 03.12 Use genograms and/or family mapping as therapeutic interventions as indicated.
    • 03.13 Facilitate client system change through restructuring and reorganization.
    • 03.14 Collaborate with the client system to identify and explore competing priorities of client issues to be addressed in treatment.
    • 03.15 Assist the client system in developing decision-making, coping, and effective verbal and non-verbal communication skills in their relational contexts.
    • 03.16 Attend to the homeostatic process and its impact on the client system’s ability to attain therapeutic goals.
    • 03.17 Assist the client system in developing alternative perspectives of the presenting issues to facilitate solutions.
    • 03.18 Influence client behavior and perceptions through use of metaphor, rewriting narratives, mindfulness, etc.
    • 03.19 Integrate cultural, spiritual, social, intellectual, and biological characteristics and strengths of the client system when devising effective treatment strategies.
    • 03.20 Recognize and support client autonomy when devising effective treatment strategies.
    • 03.21 Maintain awareness of common side effects of medications, monitor client system for these within the boundaries of professional competence, and coordinate care with any relevant prescribers.
    • 03.22 Adapt therapeutic stance and interventions to accommodate the process and structure of all therapeutic delivery modalities.
  • Domain 04 — Evaluating Ongoing Process and Terminating Treatment — Tasks related to continuously evaluating the therapeutic process, incorporating feedback into the course of treatment, and planning for termination, inclusive of different cultural contexts and use of artificial intelligence (AI) as appropriate. (16%; 29 items) (16%)
    • 04.01 Use theory and current research in the ongoing evaluation of process, outcomes, and termination.
    • 04.02 Evaluate the progress of therapy in collaboration with client and collateral systems as indicated.
    • 04.03 Modify treatment plan in collaboration with client and collateral systems as indicated.
    • 04.04 Continually evaluate client system appropriateness for all therapeutic delivery modalities.
    • 04.05 Develop a termination plan in collaboration with the client and collateral systems to maintain therapeutic gains after treatment has ended.
    • 04.06 Terminate therapeutic relationship in a professional and culturally responsive manner.
  • Domain 05 — Managing Crisis Situations — Tasks related to assessing and managing emergency situations, inclusive of different cultural contexts, and intervening when clinically indicated and/or legally mandated. (16%; 29 items) (16%)
    • 05.01 Assess impairment in the client system during crisis situations to determine if and what immediate interventions may be needed.
    • 05.02 Assess for presence of suicidal ideation and determine the level of intervention.
    • 05.03 Assess for risk of violence toward the client from others to determine the need for intervention.
    • 05.04 Assess the client’s potential for self-injurious behavior to determine level of intervention.
    • 05.05 Assess the client’s potential for violence or harm toward others, including the therapist, to determine level of intervention.
    • 05.06 Assess risk of violence toward therapist from sources outside of the client system and develop a safety plan.
    • 05.07 Assess impact of community-level crisis on client system and develop interventions as they pertain to that crisis.
    • 05.08 Assess the impact of client system’s trauma history and other relevant contextual factors on current crisis.
    • 05.09 Collaborate with other relevant stakeholders in managing client system’s crisis.
    • 05.10 Respond to emerging crisis as appropriate to the therapeutic delivery modality and use relevant crisis resources.
  • Domain 06 — Maintaining Ethical, Legal, and Professional Standards — Tasks related to ongoing adherence to legal and ethical codes and treatment agreements, maintaining culturally responsive competency, upholding professional standards, and utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) in clinical practice. (19%; 34 items) (19%)
    • 06.01 Demonstrate professional responsibility and competence regarding legal issues and regulations across therapeutic delivery modalities, including use of artificial intelligence (AI).
    • 06.02 Compare agency and employment policies with relevant ethics code, statutes, case law, and regulations and privilege the higher standard.
    • 06.03 Integrate current ethical codes of licensing boards, relevant professional organizations, and associations into appropriate professional practice.
    • 06.04 Adhere to relevant business laws related to clinical practice (e.g., Stark Law, Anti-Kickback Statute, False Claims Act, etc.)
    • 06.05 Practice within therapist’s scope of competence.
    • 06.06 Maintain awareness of and effectively manage how the therapist’s personal issues, life experiences, values and morals, and previous trauma impact the therapeutic process.
    • 06.07 Maintain awareness of and effectively manage how the supervisors’ personal issues, life experiences, values and morals, and previous trauma influence the supervisory process
    • 06.08 Adhere to treatment agreements with client systems and respect the rights of clients.
    • 06.09 Provide the client system with written professional disclosures regarding fees, credentials, reporting complaints, confidentiality, privileged communication, and providing technologically assisted services, including use of artificial intelligence (AI), etc.
    • 06.10 Confirm the client system’s identities, locations, and safety levels at the beginning of each teletherapy session.
    • 06.11 Monitor and mitigate risk for potential exploitation of the client system by the therapist.
    • 06.12 Consult with colleagues and other professionals as necessary regarding ethical and legal issues, and document these consultations.
    • 06.13 Respect the roles and responsibilities of other professionals involved in the client system’s treatment process as they relate to ethical and legal issues.
    • 06.14 Maintain accurate and timely records including long-term safe and confidential storage and plan record transfer and/or disposal within timeframes specified by current statutes.
    • 06.15 Adhere to ethical and regulatory guidelines for engaging in the supervisor-supervisee relationship across modalities.
Examination sources