South Dakota CSW-PIP, CSW, SW & SWA Continuing Education Requirements
South Dakota clinical social workers must complete 30 continuing education hours every 2 years to renew their CSW-PIP / CSW / SW / SWA license, including 6 hours of social work ethics.
30
total hours / 2 years
6
social work ethics hours
Biennial · renewal date varies by licensee.
South Dakota CSW-PIP, CSW, SW & SWA requirements
| Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|
| Total continuing education | 30 hours every 2 years. |
| Renewal | Biennial cycle: tied to your license's renewal (expiration) date. |
| Social Work Ethics | 6 hours required each cycle. |
| Approved providers | CE must be earned from a board-approved provider. |
Limits on how the hours are earned
Board caps and floors on where the 30 hours can come from.
- professional preparation or presentationmax 10 hrs
Full board policy details
- All 30 hours may be completed online. South Dakota does not impose a general self-study, online, live, or in-person delivery split for social workers.
- All CE credit must be obtained from a sponsoring organization approved by the South Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners or an equivalent approving body (e.g. ASWB, NASW, or other state social work boards). Credit from non-approved sources is not accepted.
- Preparation of an academic course or workshop, or publication or presentation of a professional paper, is capped at 10 hours and may be claimed only for the first preparation or presentation. The rule does not state a general same-course prohibition for attendees.
- LICENSE STATUS RULES: South Dakota does not maintain formal inactive or retired license categories for social workers, and no CE exemption exists for non-practicing licensees. A license that is not renewed is forfeited under SDCL 36-26-27; reinstatement requires application and fee payment, and the licensee should expect to satisfy the standard 30-hour CE requirement for the preceding cycle. A licensee may petition the Board for a CE waiver based on disability or hardship using the Board's verification form.
- First renewal: South Dakota statutes and rules do not provide a reduced CE requirement or proration for a shortened first renewal cycle. All licensees, including those renewing for the first time, must complete the full 30 hours of CE (including 6 hours in social work ethics) prior to renewal.
- Conditional renewal: South Dakota does not provide for conditional or provisional renewal based on completing CE after the renewal date. CE must be completed prior to submitting the renewal application.
- Other mandated trainings: Aside from the 6-hour social work ethics requirement, no additional topic-specific trainings (e.g. implicit bias, human trafficking, mandated reporter) are required by South Dakota law for social work license renewal. Although social workers are statutory mandated reporters of child abuse under SDCL 26-8A-3, no separate mandated-reporter training is required for renewal.
We turn every category, format limit, and one-time rule on this page into a live checklist on your South Dakota CSW-PIP / CSW / SW / SWA record, and reapply board changes automatically as they happen.
Track South Dakota CSW-PIP / CSW / SW / SWA CE free →South Dakota CSW-PIP, CSW, SW & SWA CE: frequently asked questions
How many CE hours do South Dakota CSW-PIP / CSW / SW / SWA licensees need?
South Dakota requires 30 continuing education hours every 2 years to renew a CSW-PIP / CSW / SW / SWA license. Biennial cycle: tied to your license's renewal (expiration) date.
How many ethics hours are required for South Dakota CSW-PIP / CSW / SW / SWA licensees?
Of the total, 6 hours must be in social work ethics.
How often do South Dakota CSW-PIP / CSW / SW / SWA licensees renew?
Biennial cycle: tied to your license's renewal (expiration) date.
Sources & verification
- State source
- South Dakota board rule
- Profession source
- ASWB ACE continuing education guidance
- Last verified
- July 2026
- Ruleset version
- 2026.3
Reviewed against the South Dakota board source and refreshed from the compiled ruleset above. Methodology and disclaimer. Compliance data is for guidance only, not legal or board advice. Always confirm requirements with your licensing board before renewing. See something wrong? Report it →
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