At a Glance
South Dakota social work licensure is managed by the Board of Social Work Examiners (BSWE) and offers four credential levels: SWA, SW, CSW, and CSW-PIP. Requirements range from an associate’s degree and ASWB exam for entry-level practice to an MSW, two years of supervised experience, and the ASWB Clinical exam for independent clinical practice.
South Dakota issues four distinct social work credentials, each tied to a specific education level and scope of practice. Whether you’re starting with an associate’s degree in human services or finishing an MSW and building toward clinical licensure, the path forward runs through the South Dakota Department of Social Services, Board of Social Work Examiners (BSWE). Understanding which credential matches your degree and what each one allows you to do is the first step toward practicing in the state.
Social Work Credentials in South Dakota
The BSWE issues four credential levels. Each one is tied to a specific education level and defines what you’re authorized to do in practice.
Social Worker Associate (SWA) is designed for people who’ve earned a bachelor’s degree in a non-social work field, or an associate’s degree in a Human Services program. It allows you to provide basic generalist social work services under supervision. If you want to advance beyond this level, you’ll need to earn a degree in Social Work.
Social Worker (SW) requires a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited program. It authorizes generalist-level social work practice, including helping individuals, communities, and groups restore or enhance their capacity for social functioning.
Certified Social Worker (CSW) requires a master’s degree in Social Work and allows you to practice at an advanced level using specialized knowledge. You’re also permitted to engage in clinical social work under supervision, which includes psychotherapy, counseling, and the assessment, treatment, and diagnosis of mental and emotional disorders.
Certified Social Worker in Private or Independent Practice (CSW-PIP) is South Dakota’s highest social work credential. As a CSW-PIP, you can contract directly with clients, bill for clinical services, consultations, educational services, and supervision. You can engage in all types of social work and clinical social work independently, without a supervising clinician.
Steps Toward Social Work Licensure in South Dakota
All four credentials share a set of common application requirements. Before applying for any license level, you’ll need to complete the following:
- Complete the education requirement for your credential level, and have your school send official transcripts directly to the BSWE when you apply.
- Pass the exam administered through the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) at the level required for your credential. Requirements vary by credential level, so verify the current exam level and full application checklist with the BSWE before applying.
- Include this cover letter with your application and attest to reading SDCL 36-26 and Article 20:59, the South Dakota statutes governing social work licensure.
- Secure three letters of reference from people engaged in social work or a related field. They can send letters directly to the BSWE, or you can include them with your application.
- Submit a completed application with the fee for your credential level.
Social Worker Associate (SWA)
The SWA credential is the entry point for people without a social work degree. Here’s how to earn it.
Step 1: Complete the Education Requirement
Earn a bachelor’s degree in a non-social work field, or an associate’s degree in a Human Services field approved by the board.
Step 2: Submit Your Application
Submit an application for SWA licensure to the BSWE with a $90 fee. Once the BSWE approves your application, it will notify the ASWB that you’re cleared to test.
Step 3: Pass the ASWB Associate Exam
Register with the ASWB for its Associate-level exam. Once you pass, the BSWE will issue your SWA license.
Step 4: Practice Under Supervision
As a condition of SWA licensure, you must practice under the supervision of a social worker licensed at a higher level. Supervision requires at least one hour per week. Each year, your supervisor must submit a Validation of Supervision form to the BSWE confirming you’re meeting this requirement.
Social Worker (SW)
The SW credential requires a CSWE-accredited BSW and authorizes generalist social work practice without a supervision requirement.
Step 1: Earn a BSW from a CSWE-Accredited Program
Complete a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Verify the current accreditation and candidacy status of programs in the CSWE program directory before enrolling. Each CSWE-accredited BSW program includes at least 400 hours of field education and a minimum of 120 semester credits.
Step 2: Submit Your Application
Submit an application for SW licensure to the BSWE with a $130 fee. Once approved, the BSWE will notify the ASWB that you’re cleared to test.
Step 3: Pass the ASWB Bachelors Exam
Register with the ASWB for its Bachelors-level exam. Once you pass, the BSWE will issue your SW license.
Certified Social Worker (CSW)
The CSW credential opens the door to clinical social work under supervision and is the required step before pursuing the CSW-PIP.
Step 1: Earn an MSW from a CSWE-Accredited Program
Complete a master’s degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program. Verify current accredited and candidacy-status options, including availability of on-campus and online study, in the CSWE program directory and directly with the institution. CSWE accreditation requires a minimum of 900 hours of field education, providing structured real-world practice before you graduate.
Step 2: Submit Your Application
Submit an application for CSW licensure to the BSWE with a $170 fee. Once the BSWE approves your application, it will notify the ASWB that you’re cleared to test.
Step 3: Pass the ASWB Masters Exam
Register with the ASWB for its Masters-level exam. Once you pass, the BSWE will issue your CSW license.
Step 4: Begin Accruing Supervised Hours Toward CSW-PIP
Once you have your CSW, you can start accruing hours toward the CSW-PIP’s supervised experience requirement. To begin, find a qualified supervisor (a CSW-PIP, psychiatrist, or psychologist) and together submit a Contract for Supervision to Meet CSW-PIP Licensure to the BSWE. Every six months, your supervisor will submit a Supervision Evaluation to the board.
Certified Social Worker in Private or Independent Practice (CSW-PIP)
The CSW-PIP is South Dakota’s credential for private or independent social work practice, including clinical social work when the licensee meets the applicable scope and specialization requirements. It requires your CSW, two years of approved supervised experience, and a passing score on the ASWB Clinical exam.
Step 1: Hold the CSW Credential
You must already hold the CSW credential, including an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program. You must have been licensed as a CSW in South Dakota for a minimum of two years before applying for the CSW-PIP.
Step 2: Complete 24 Months of Approved Supervised Experience
As a CSW, you must complete 24 months of supervision under a qualified supervisor (CSW-PIP, psychiatrist, or psychologist) in the specialization area you intend to practice, such as psychotherapy or community organization. Your supervisor will submit evaluations to the BSWE every six months, and a final 24-Month Evaluation upon completion.
Step 3: Submit Your Application
Submit an application for CSW-PIP licensure to the BSWE with a $210 fee. The BSWE will notify the ASWB that you’re cleared to test once your application is approved.
Step 4: Pass the ASWB Clinical Exam
Register with the ASWB for its Clinical-level exam. Once you pass, the BSWE will issue your CSW-PIP license.
Social Work Degrees in South Dakota
The most direct path to social work licensure in South Dakota runs through a CSWE-accredited degree program. Here’s what’s available in the state at each level.
Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work (BSW)
A CSWE-accredited BSW fulfills the education requirement for the SW license and is the natural starting point if you plan to pursue an MSW later. South Dakota has multiple CSWE-listed BSW options. Because accreditation and candidacy statuses can change, verify your current status in the CSWE program directory before enrolling. Each program includes at least 400 hours of supervised field education and a minimum of 120 semester credits.
Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW)
An MSW from a CSWE-accredited program satisfies the education requirement for both the CSW and CSW-PIP. South Dakota’s in-state CSWE-accredited MSW options, including availability of online and on-campus study, should be verified directly in the CSWE program directory and with the institution before enrolling. CSWE accreditation requires a minimum of 900 hours of field education, providing structured real-world practice experience before you graduate.
Doctoral Degree in Social Work
Doctoral programs in social work come in two forms: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Doctor of Social Work (DSW). PhD programs tend to be research-intensive and may take longer to complete. DSW programs focus more on clinical and applied practice. Neither credential is required for any South Dakota social work license, but either can expand your career’s reach into research, policy, or academic settings.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Social Worker in South Dakota?
The timeline depends on which credential you’re working toward. Starting from a high school diploma, you could be practicing as an SWA in as little as two years, the time it takes to earn an associate’s degree in Human Services. A BSW takes four years and qualifies you for the SW license. Add two more years for an MSW, and you meet the education requirement for the CSW and CSW-PIP. From there, two years of supervised post-degree practice bring your total to eight years and make you eligible to apply for the CSW-PIP.
Renewing Your Social Work Credential
South Dakota social work licenses expire on December 31 of the second year after issuance. To renew, you must complete 30 hours of continuing education during each renewal period. At least six of those hours must be in social work ethics. The BSWE currently states that all required continuing education contact hours may be obtained through online courses. Verify this rule before renewal. Submit an Application for Re-Licensure to the BSWE along with the renewal fee for your credential level.
Renewal fees are: SWA $90, SW $130, CSW $170, CSW-PIP $210.
Reciprocity and Endorsement
South Dakota doesn’t have a formal reciprocity agreement with other states, but you can apply for a comparable credential level through endorsement. The BSWE needs to receive official verification of your out-of-state license from your state’s board of social work, and your ASWB exam scores directly from the ASWB. Follow the same application process described above for your credential level. If you’re applying for the CSW-PIP, your out-of-state supervisor will also need to submit a Verification of Out-of-State Experience form, and you’ll need to provide them with a Release and Waiver for Supervisors.
To verify an existing South Dakota social work license, use the license lookup tool on the BSWE website.
Social Work Salaries in South Dakota
Social work salaries in South Dakota vary by specialization, employer type, experience, and location. The figures below use national median wage data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) as of May 2024 for comparability. Readers should consult BLS state and area data for South Dakota for state-specific wages where available.
| Social Work Occupation |
National Median Annual Wage |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers |
$58,570 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers |
$60,060 |
| Healthcare Social Workers |
$68,090 |
| Social Workers, All Other |
$69,480 |
The BLS projects national employment of social workers to grow 6 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations. Among listed social worker subcategories, mental health and substance abuse social workers have the highest projected growth at 10 percent over the decade.
Social Work Resources in South Dakota
South Dakota Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is the local chapter of the largest social work membership organization in the country. The South Dakota Chapter is part of the NASW’s Heartland group, a six-state regional coalition that addresses common issues in the field. Locally, the chapter provides legislative updates, professional networking opportunities, and career resources.
Career Opportunities in South Dakota
South Dakota Department of Social Services oversees social work licensing and also provides direct services to South Dakotans. Behavioral health programs reach local communities through outreach, serve individuals in the Department of Corrections, and support inpatients at the Human Services Center dealing with substance use and mental health challenges.
South Dakota Department of Human Services serves some of the state’s most vulnerable residents through several specialized divisions: the Division of Developmental Disabilities, the Division of Rehabilitative Services, the Division of Service to the Blind and Visually Impaired, and the Division of Long Term Services and Supports.
Sioux Falls School District is commonly described as South Dakota’s largest school district. Verify current enrollment figures directly with the district before publication, as student counts change annually.
Horizon Health Care operates a network of more than 20 community health centers across South Dakota, providing medical, dental, and behavioral health services on a sliding-fee scale. Behavioral health roles are based within local community health centers.
Keystone Treatment Center specializes in substance use treatment, offering residential, detox, outpatient, and family therapy programs, including a dedicated Native American addiction treatment program and targeted options for adolescents and young adults. Social workers pursuing the South Dakota substance abuse counseling path often find roles here.
Rapid City Area Schools is one of South Dakota’s larger school districts. Verify current enrollment and school counts directly with the district before publication, as these figures change annually.
Avera Health is a regional healthcare system headquartered in Sioux Falls with operations across multiple states. Verify current location counts and service areas directly with Avera before publication. Behavioral health is among its core service areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a CSW and a CSW-PIP in South Dakota?
The CSW (Certified Social Worker) allows you to practice advanced social work and engage in clinical work under supervision. The CSW-PIP (Certified Social Worker in Private or Independent Practice) allows you to practice independently, contract directly with clients, and bill for clinical services without a supervising clinician. To qualify for the CSW-PIP, you must first hold the CSW for at least two years and complete 24 months of approved supervised experience.
Do I need a CSWE-accredited degree to get licensed in South Dakota?
For the SW, CSW, and CSW-PIP credentials, yes. The BSWE requires a degree from a CSWE-accredited program. The SWA credential is the exception: it accepts a bachelor’s degree in any field, or an associate’s degree in a Human Services program approved by the board. CSWE accreditation applies to bachelor’s and master’s level programs. Doctoral programs are not CSWE-accredited.
How long does supervised experience take for the CSW-PIP?
The CSW-PIP requires 24 months of supervised experience in your intended area of specialization, completed after earning your CSW license. Your supervisor (a CSW-PIP, psychiatrist, or psychologist) must submit evaluations to the BSWE every six months and a final evaluation at the end of the 24-month period. You can begin accruing hours as soon as the BSWE approves your Contract for Supervision.
Can I transfer my social work license from another state to South Dakota?
South Dakota doesn’t have a reciprocity agreement with other states, but you can apply for a comparable license level through endorsement. You’ll need official verification of your out-of-state license from that state’s licensing board and your ASWB exam scores sent directly from the ASWB. CSW-PIP applicants have additional documentation requirements for supervisors.
How many continuing education hours are required to renew a South Dakota social work license?
All BSWE license holders must complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years to renew their licenses, which expire on December 31 of the second year after issuance. At least six of those hours must cover social work ethics. The BSWE currently states all hours may be completed online. Verify this rule before renewal. Renewal fees range from $90 for the SWA to $210 for the CSW-PIP.
Key Takeaways
- South Dakota issues four social work credentials (SWA, SW, CSW, CSW-PIP) through the BSWE, each tied to a specific education level and scope of practice.
- The CSW-PIP is the state’s clinical license and requires an MSW, two years as a licensed CSW, 24 months of approved supervised experience, and a passing ASWB Clinical exam score.
- All four credential levels require renewal every two years, 30 hours of continuing education per renewal period (including 6 hours in ethics), and the applicable renewal fee.
- South Dakota doesn’t offer reciprocity, but out-of-state licensed social workers can apply for a comparable credential through endorsement.
- The BLS projects social work employment to grow 6 percent from 2024 to 2034, with mental health and substance abuse social work projected at 10 percent growth.
Ready to find a CSWE-accredited social work program in South Dakota? Browse degree options that align with your credential goals.
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Laura Bennett, MPH is a public health professional with over 12 years of experience in community health education and program coordination. She specializes in helping aspiring professionals explore flexible education pathways, including online and hybrid public health degree programs. Laura is passionate about making public health careers more accessible through practical, accredited training
2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and job market figures for Child, Family, and School Social Workers, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers, Healthcare Social Workers, and Social Workers, All Other represent national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed May 2025.
