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
10
home study / self-study hours cap
Biennial · Biennial cycle: CE due by December 31.
South Dakota CSW-PIP, CSW, SW & SWA requirements
| Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|
| Total continuing education | 30 hours every 2 years. |
| Renewal | Biennial cycle: CE due by December 31. |
| Social Work Ethics | 6 hours required each cycle. |
| Format limits | Up to 10 hours may be completed through home study / self-study. |
| Approved providers | CE must be earned from a board-approved provider. |
Full board policy details
- Self-study and other non-interactive activities (preparing/publishing a course, listening to recordings, reading journals, etc.) are limited to a maximum of 10 hours per biennial renewal cycle under ARSD 20:59:04:07-10. At least 20 of the 30 required hours must come from live or interactive formats. Live-interactive online courses (e.g. webinars with instructor Q&A) generally count as live credit and are not subject to the 10-hour self-study cap.
- 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.
- COURSE REPEAT RESTRICTIONS: A licensee who prepares or presents a CE course may claim credit for that course only once per renewal cycle, and credit for preparation/presentation activities is capped at 10 hours per cycle (ARSD 20:59:04:07). Repeating the same course (as instructor or attendee) does not generate additional CE credit within a single cycle.
- 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 all of this (every category, format limit, and one-time rule) 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: CE due by December 31.
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: CE due by December 31.
Can South Dakota CSW-PIP / CSW / SW / SWA licensees complete CE online or by home study?
Up to 10 hours may be completed through home study / self-study.
Sources & verification
- State source
- South Dakota board rule
- Profession source
- ASWB ACE continuing education guidance
- Last verified
- May 2026
- Ruleset version
- 2026.1
Reviewed against the South Dakota board source and refreshed from the compiled ruleset above. Methodology and disclaimer. Compliance data is informational only and not legal or board advice. Always verify requirements with your licensing board before you renew. See something wrong? Report it →
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