Social Work Licensure in South Dakota

Find Education Requirements in South Dakota for one of the following:

LSWA
LSW
CSW
CIPSW

South Dakota is probably most famous for hosting Mt. Rushmore. However, South Dakota also has a rich and varied history and is home to the famous city of Deadwood which has been popularized in television and movies. In addition to its natural beauty and history, South Dakota is also a great state to start your licensed Social Work career in. It is important to remember that there can always be updates or changes to a state’s rules and regulations. Remember, that the best way to stay informed with current regulations is the state’s website on licensure. Here is the website for the State of South Dakota:

There are four different kinds of social work licenses in South Dakota: Licensed Social Work Associate (LSWA), Licensed Social Worker (LSW), Certified Social Worker (CSW) and Certified Independent Practice Social Worker (CIPSW)

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Licensed Social Work Associate (LSWA)

If you wish to attain the title Licensed Social Work Associate (LSWA) in South Dakota, you must first get a Bachelor in a non-social work field or you can also hold an Associate of Arts degree in Human Services if approved by the board.
No field experience is required for this license.
You must also pass the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Associate’s Level Exam.
To renew your license, you must have successfully completed 30 contact hours of continuing education.
- Learn about South Dakota Masters Degree in Social Work (MSW)
- Learn about The Bachelors Degree in Social Work (BSW)
- Learn about The Doctorate Degree is Social Work (DSW)

Licensed Social Worker (LSW)

If you wish to attain the title Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in South Dakota, you must first get a Bachelor of Social Work or Social Welfare degree from a Council on Social Work Education accredited university or college. Alternately, if you have two years of experience in a social work field, you may substitute a Bachelor’s degree in another area if you complete the assigned board approved social welfare classes.
No field experience is required for this license.
Finally, you must pass the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Bachelor’s Level Exam.
To renew your license, you must have successfully completed 30 contact hours of continuing education.

Certified Social Worker (CSW)

To become a Certified Social Worker (CSW) in South Dakota, you must first get your Master or Doctorate of Social Work degree from a Council on Social Work Education accredited university or college. They will also accept degrees from the Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work
There are no field experience requirements for this level of licensure.
You must then receive a passing score on an Association of Social Workers ASWB Master’s Level Exam.
To renew your license, you must have successfully completed 30 contact hours of continuing education.

Certified Independent Practice Social Worker (CIPSW)

If you wish to hold the title of Certified Independent Practice Social Worker (CIPSW) in South Dakota, you must first get a Master or Doctorate of Social Work degree from a Council on Social Work Education accredited university or college.
You must also provide verification of two years of supervised clinical practice within the area you which to specialize.
Once you have completed and sent in application you may apply with the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) for their Clinical or Advanced Generalist Level exam. Once you pass the test you will be eligible to receive your new Certified Independent Practice Social Worker in the state of South Dakota.
To renew your license, you must have successfully completed 30 contact hours of continuing education.