2026 How to Become a Licensed Counselor (LPC) in South Dakota

by Imed Bouchrika, PhD

Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist

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Becoming a licensed counselor in South Dakota is a structured process: you need the right graduate education, supervised clinical experience, board approval, and national examinations. The decision matters because the license you pursue—Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Professional Counselor - Mental Health (LPC-MH)—affects where you can work, what services you may provide, and how far you can advance in clinical mental health practice.

This guide is for students comparing counseling master’s programs, career changers planning a licensure pathway, and current helping professionals who want to understand South Dakota’s counseling requirements. You will learn the major licensure steps, education rules, exam expectations, supervised-hour requirements, salary and job outlook information, work settings, rural practice considerations, and questions to ask before choosing a program.

Quick answer: How do you become an LPC in South Dakota?

To become an LPC in South Dakota, you generally need a master’s degree in counseling that meets state board standards, a passing score on the National Counselor Examination (NCE), an approved supervision plan, and 2,000 hours of supervised experience. To become an LPC-MH, you complete additional supervised clinical experience and pass the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE). Applicants should confirm current requirements with the South Dakota Board of Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists Examiners before enrolling in a program or submitting a licensure application.

Key things you should know about becoming a licensed counselor in South Dakota

• South Dakota issues two main professional counseling credentials: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Professional Counselor - Mental Health (LPC-MH).
• A qualifying master’s degree must be from a CACREP-accredited counseling program or another program that satisfies the Board’s required counseling content areas.
• The counseling labor market in South Dakota is favorable, with projected growth exceeding the national average at 14%.
• The average annual salary for LPCs in South Dakota is $57,894.
• Professional groups such as the South Dakota Counseling Association (SDCA) and the South Dakota Mental Health Counselors Association (SDMHCA) can help counselors find continuing education, advocacy updates, mentoring, and networking opportunities.

1. What are the steps to become an LPC in South Dakota?
2. What are the educational requirements for South Dakota counseling licensure?
3. What are the types of counselor licenses issued in South Dakota?
4. What is the state of the counseling industry in South Dakota?
5. What is the job outlook for counselors in South Dakota?
6. How much do counselors in South Dakota make?
7. Where can I work as a counselor in South Dakota?
8. What do counselors do?
9. What networking opportunities and professional associations can benefit counselors in South Dakota?
10. What are the steps to become a licensed counselor in South Dakota and where can I find more information?
11. How do South Dakota’s rural communities impact the demand for counselors?
12. Can online clinical MSW programs complement counselor licensure in South Dakota?
13. How do licensure requirements differ for counselors and psychologists in South Dakota?
14. Is earning a Master’s in Counseling a worthwhile investment in South Dakota?
15. How can continuing education and professional development drive career success in South Dakota?
16. How can behavior analysis enhance counseling effectiveness in South Dakota?
17. What legal and ethical considerations should South Dakota counselors be aware of?
18. What distinguishes school counseling from other counseling roles in South Dakota?
19. What challenges might applicants encounter during the LPC licensure process in South Dakota?
20. What is the role of art therapists in South Dakota’s mental health landscape?
21. How does family counseling shape mental health outcomes in South Dakota?
22. How can substance abuse counseling address behavioral health challenges in South Dakota?
23. Top Counselor Programs in South Dakota for 2026

What are the steps to become an LPC in South Dakota?

As of 2025, South Dakota had 1,780 mental health, substance abuse, and behavioral disorder counselors. If you want to join this workforce as a licensed professional counselor, plan for a sequence of education, examination, supervision, and application requirements rather than a single application step.

The most common mistake is treating these steps as interchangeable. In practice, the order matters: program choice affects eligibility, supervision must be properly approved, and the LPC-MH requires additional clinical preparation beyond the general LPC pathway.

What are the educational requirements for South Dakota counseling licensure?

South Dakota counseling licensure begins with graduate education. The safest route is a counseling master’s degree that is clearly aligned with Board requirements, because the state will review your academic record before approving you for licensure.

Master’s degree requirement

Applicants typically need a master’s degree in counseling from a program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). CACREP accreditation is important because it indicates that the program covers major counseling knowledge areas, supervised fieldwork, and professional standards expected in licensure preparation.

If you are comparing lower-cost or flexible options, review affordable online counseling degree options carefully and confirm that the program’s curriculum, practicum, internship, and state authorization policies fit South Dakota’s requirements. In 2025, a total of 158 students completed a master’s in counseling program in South Dakota.

Required counseling content areas

Your graduate program should include the core counseling topics commonly found in affordable online CACREP school counseling programs and other licensure-focused counseling degrees. Typical content areas include:

• Counseling theory
• Counseling techniques
• Human growth and development
• Social and cultural foundations
• Group counseling
• Lifestyle and career development
• Appraisal of the individual

Practicum and internship expectations

Field experience is not optional. Your academic program must include supervised practice that allows you to apply counseling skills with real clients while receiving feedback from qualified professionals.

Board evaluation

The South Dakota Board of Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists Examiners determines whether your coursework, degree, practicum, and internship meet state standards. Before committing to a program—especially an online or out-of-state program—ask the admissions office whether graduates have been eligible for South Dakota LPC licensure and request documentation, not just verbal assurance.

What are the types of counselor licenses issued in South Dakota?

South Dakota’s counseling license structure is centered on the LPC and the LPC-MH. The distinction matters because the LPC-MH involves additional mental health clinical preparation and may be more relevant for counselors who want to diagnose and treat mental health disorders.

The LPC-MH is not a completely separate profession from counseling; it is a specialized credential within South Dakota’s counseling framework. If your long-term goal is clinical mental health practice, plan your graduate coursework, supervision, and exam timeline with the LPC-MH in mind from the beginning.

What is the state of the counseling industry in South Dakota?

South Dakota has a clear need for trained mental health professionals. In 2025, the age-adjusted suicide rate in South Dakota was 24.1 per 100,000 residents, compared with the 14.5 national average. That gap highlights why counseling access, prevention, crisis support, and ongoing behavioral health services remain important across the state.

The job market for counselors in South Dakota is generally favorable, with projected growth exceeding the national average at 14%. Demand is shaped by several forces: growing public awareness of mental health, increased willingness to seek care, rural access gaps, and the need for services in schools, hospitals, correctional settings, community agencies, and private practice.

The LPC-MH can be especially useful for counselors pursuing clinical roles because it reflects additional preparation in mental health diagnosis and treatment. However, the right license depends on your intended setting. A school-focused counselor, a rehabilitation counselor, and a clinical mental health counselor may follow different education and supervision plans.

South Dakota’s rural population also affects the counseling industry. Counselors in rural communities often work with limited referral networks, transportation barriers, privacy concerns in small communities, and fewer specialized services. That can make the work challenging, but it can also create meaningful opportunities for counselors who are comfortable with broad community-based practice.

What is the job outlook for counselors in South Dakota?

Counseling is identified as a bright outlook occupation by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and South Dakota’s projections point to stronger-than-average demand for qualified professionals.

According to the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation, employment for counselors in South Dakota is expected to grow at a rate of 19% by 2032. This is notably faster than the projected growth rate for all occupations in the state.

The demand is not limited to one age group or practice setting. South Dakota, like the rest of the country, is seeing increased attention to mental health needs, including among young people. Reports have described rising mental health challenges among high schoolers, which strengthens the need for school-based and youth-focused support.

Counselors willing to serve rural areas may find opportunities where access to mental health care is limited. Some licensed counselors also move into administrative, program management, or healthcare leadership roles after gaining experience; those considering that route may compare counseling experience with additional training such as affordable MHA programs.

How much do counselors in South Dakota make?

The average annual salary for LPCs in South Dakota is $57,894, with a typical range between $50,281 and $66,796. Actual earnings can vary by employer, location, license level, specialization, experience, and whether the counselor works for an organization or operates a private practice.

Salary data should be used as a planning benchmark, not a guarantee. Before enrolling in a program, compare tuition, fees, financial aid, expected time to licensure, local job openings, and the salary ranges posted by employers in your intended region.

Where can I work as a counselor in South Dakota?

Based on Mental Health America data cited in reporting on the mental health workforce in South Dakota, counselor employment per 1,000 is 3.65. Counselors serve in many environments, and each setting has different client needs, schedules, documentation requirements, and advancement paths.

What do counselors do?

Counselors help clients understand problems, build coping skills, change harmful patterns, and make decisions that support healthier functioning. In South Dakota, they may work with individuals, families, groups, schools, employers, agencies, and communities.

Common responsibilities include interviewing clients, assessing needs, developing treatment or service plans, documenting sessions, providing individual or group counseling, coordinating referrals, and collaborating with other professionals. Depending on training and license type, counselors may address anxiety, depression, grief, relationship conflict, substance misuse, stress, career concerns, life transitions, and family challenges.

Many counselors use evidence-based approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, interpersonal therapy, psychoeducation, motivational strategies, and family systems interventions. In schools and community organizations, they may also lead workshops on mental health, coping skills, prevention, or wellness.

What networking opportunities and professional associations can benefit counselors in South Dakota?

Professional networks can make a practical difference during licensure and after you begin practicing. They help counselors find continuing education, understand state policy changes, connect with supervisors and peers, and avoid professional isolation—especially in rural practice.

• South Dakota Counseling Association (SDCA): SDCA supports counselors through professional resources, advocacy, conferences, and opportunities to stay connected with counseling issues across the state.
• South Dakota Mental Health Counselors Association (SDMHCA): As an SDCA affiliate, SDMHCA focuses on mental health counselors and may be especially useful for those pursuing clinical mental health practice, specialized training, and policy updates.
• American Counseling Association (ACA): ACA provides national-level research, ethics resources, continuing education, publications, and conference opportunities for counselors in South Dakota and across the country.
• Local workshops and continuing education providers: Universities, agencies, professional associations, and healthcare organizations may offer training on new counseling techniques, ethics, documentation, telehealth, trauma-informed care, and cultural responsiveness.

When choosing a professional association, consider your specialty, career stage, licensure needs, and whether you want local networking, national resources, advocacy support, or specialized clinical education.

What are the steps to become a licensed counselor in South Dakota and where can I find more information?

The basic pathway is to earn a qualifying counseling master’s degree, pass the NCE, obtain approval for supervised practice, complete the required supervised experience, and submit the state licensure application. Those pursuing LPC-MH status complete additional clinical supervision and pass the NCMHCE. For a more focused walkthrough, review this guide on how to become a licensed mental health counselor in South Dakota.

How do South Dakota’s rural communities impact the demand for counselors?

South Dakota’s rural geography is one of the biggest factors shaping counseling access. Nearly 43% of South Dakotans live in rural areas, where residents may face fewer local providers, longer travel times, limited specialty care, and concerns about privacy in small communities.

Access gaps create demand

Many rural communities have fewer mental health clinics, psychiatric providers, and specialized treatment programs. Counselors who are prepared to work across a broad range of issues can become essential points of access for clients who might otherwise delay or avoid care.

Rural stressors affect counseling needs

Clients in rural communities may deal with isolation, economic instability, agricultural stress, limited employment options, grief, family strain, and substance-related concerns. Effective rural counseling often requires flexibility, strong referral knowledge, and respect for local culture.

Telehealth is now part of access planning

Telehealth can help reduce distance barriers for clients in remote areas. Counselors using telehealth still need to follow state rules, protect confidentiality, document appropriately, and understand when in-person or emergency support is necessary.

Specialized counseling can fill critical gaps

Rural communities may need counselors with training in grief, trauma, addiction, family systems, school counseling, and crisis response. If grief support is your focus, learning how to become a grief counselor can help you understand specialization options that may be relevant in underserved communities.

Can online clinical MSW programs complement counselor licensure in South Dakota?

Clinical social work and professional counseling are separate pathways, but their skill sets can overlap in useful ways. Training in social work emphasizes client advocacy, systems-level thinking, community resources, case coordination, and social determinants of health. Counselors who understand these concepts may be better prepared to collaborate with social service agencies, schools, healthcare providers, and rural support systems.

Professionals who want a broader view of behavioral health systems may compare counseling degrees with online clinical MSW programs. Before enrolling, confirm which credential you want, because an MSW does not automatically replace counseling licensure requirements and counseling degrees do not automatically satisfy social work licensure rules.

How do licensure requirements differ for counselors and psychologists in South Dakota?

Counselors and psychologists both provide mental health services, but their training models are different. Counselors usually complete a master’s degree and supervised clinical experience focused on counseling practice. Psychologists often complete doctoral-level education with deeper emphasis on psychological assessment, research, diagnosis, and clinical practice.

The two professions also have separate licensing boards, examination requirements, continuing education expectations, and scopes of practice. If you are deciding between these routes, compare time in school, cost, research interests, assessment responsibilities, clinical goals, and desired work setting. For the psychology pathway, see this overview of how to become a psychologist in South Dakota.

Is earning a Master’s in Counseling a worthwhile investment in South Dakota?

A counseling master’s degree can be worthwhile in South Dakota if it leads to the license, setting, and client population you actually want to serve. The strongest return usually comes from choosing a program that meets state requirements, completing supervision efficiently, controlling debt, and building skills that match employer demand.

Do not evaluate the degree only by tuition. Consider total cost, fees, books, technology, travel for residencies or internships, lost work time, supervision availability, exam costs, application fees, and the salary range in your intended region. Reviewing whether a graduate counseling degree is worth it can help you weigh career outcomes against the full cost of licensure preparation.

Questions to ask before enrolling

• Does the program meet South Dakota LPC and LPC-MH academic requirements?
• Is the program CACREP-accredited, or can the school document how it satisfies Board content areas?
• How are practicum and internship placements arranged for South Dakota students?
• What is the total program cost, not just cost per credit?
• Can students attend part time while working?
• What support does the program offer for the NCE and NCMHCE?
• Have recent graduates obtained licensure in South Dakota?

How can continuing education and professional development drive career success in South Dakota?

Continuing education helps counselors maintain competence, respond to changing client needs, and stay aligned with ethical and regulatory expectations. It is also a practical career strategy: counselors who keep learning can move into specialized clinical work, supervision, leadership, school-based roles, telehealth services, or integrated care teams.

Useful professional development topics may include trauma-informed care, suicide risk assessment, substance use treatment, rural mental health, ethics, digital counseling tools, culturally responsive care, documentation, and family systems practice. Counselors who want additional academic options can also explore psychology schools in South Dakota for related training, mentorship, or interdisciplinary opportunities.

How can behavior analysis enhance counseling effectiveness in South Dakota?

Behavior analysis can strengthen counseling when clients need measurable behavior change, structured interventions, and progress monitoring. Counselors may use behavioral principles to identify triggers, reinforce healthier patterns, reduce harmful responses, and track whether interventions are working.

This approach can be helpful in work with developmental concerns, disruptive behaviors, school-based interventions, skill-building goals, and some family or organizational challenges. Counselors who want to understand this specialty more deeply can review the pathway for becoming a behavior analyst in South Dakota. Because behavior analysis has its own credentialing expectations, it should be treated as a distinct specialization rather than an automatic extension of counseling licensure.

What legal and ethical considerations should South Dakota counselors be aware of?

South Dakota counselors must practice within legal and ethical boundaries designed to protect clients and maintain professional accountability. Key issues include informed consent, confidentiality, mandated reporting, documentation, professional boundaries, competence, supervision, telehealth standards, referral decisions, conflicts of interest, and accurate representation of credentials.

Applicants should not rush the licensure process at the expense of compliance. A faster timeline is only useful if each requirement is completed correctly. If your priority is efficiency, review guidance on the fastest way to become a counselor in South Dakota while still confirming all requirements with the Board.

What distinguishes school counseling from other counseling roles in South Dakota?

School counseling focuses on student development, academic planning, social-emotional support, crisis response, family communication, and collaboration with educators. Unlike many clinical counseling roles, school counselors work inside an educational system and must align services with student needs, school policies, and family engagement.

This role can be a strong fit if you want to work with children or adolescents, support prevention and early intervention, and collaborate daily with teachers, administrators, and parents. It may be less ideal if your primary goal is independent clinical diagnosis and treatment in a private mental health setting. For certification details and role expectations, review this guide to becoming a school counselor in South Dakota.

What challenges might applicants encounter during the LPC licensure process in South Dakota?

The LPC process is manageable, but delays are common when applicants misunderstand requirements or fail to document them clearly. Problems often arise around coursework reviews, practicum and internship verification, supervision approval, direct client hour tracking, exam timing, and incomplete application materials.

For requirement-specific guidance, applicants should review South Dakota’s LPC license requirements and consult official Board materials before making decisions about coursework, exams, or supervision.

What is the role of art therapists in South Dakota’s mental health landscape?

Art therapists use creative expression as part of mental health treatment and support. In South Dakota, they may work in schools, clinics, hospitals, rehabilitation settings, community programs, and other environments where clients benefit from nonverbal or experiential approaches.

Art therapy can be especially useful for clients who struggle to describe emotions verbally, including some children, trauma survivors, grieving clients, and individuals coping with anxiety, depression, PTSD, or major life transitions. In rural areas, art therapy may add another flexible option where specialized mental health services are limited.

Students who are drawn to both counseling and creative practice can explore a master’s in art therapy. Before enrolling, confirm whether the program supports your intended credential, because art therapy preparation and professional counseling licensure may have different requirements.

How does family counseling shape mental health outcomes in South Dakota?

Family counseling helps clients address problems that are connected to communication patterns, conflict, parenting, divorce, grief, intergenerational trauma, economic stress, and major transitions. In South Dakota, this work can be particularly important in rural and underserved communities where one client’s mental health challenge may affect an entire household or support network.

Family-focused counselors use evidence-based strategies to improve communication, reduce conflict, strengthen coping skills, and help families respond to substance use, depression, anxiety, loss, and relationship strain. This work can improve individual outcomes while also increasing stability across the family system.

If you want to specialize in couple and family dynamics, compare the LPC path with the marriage and family therapy pathway. This guide to how to become a marriage and family therapist in South Dakota can help you understand education and licensure options for family-focused practice.

How can substance abuse counseling address behavioral health challenges in South Dakota?

Substance abuse counseling is a critical part of behavioral health care because addiction often overlaps with trauma, depression, anxiety, family conflict, legal problems, housing instability, and medical needs. In South Dakota, addiction-focused counselors may work in treatment centers, hospitals, community agencies, correctional programs, schools, and integrated care teams.

These counselors support clients through assessment, motivation-building, relapse prevention, harm reduction planning, group counseling, family involvement, and referral coordination. Professionals interested in this specialty can review the steps for becoming a substance abuse counselor in South Dakota.

Top Counselor Programs in South Dakota for 2026

How do we rank schools?

Choosing a counseling master’s program affects your finances, licensure timeline, clinical preparation, and career options. Research.com ranks counseling programs to help prospective students compare schools using data-informed criteria rather than relying only on reputation or advertising.

The ranking process follows a transparent methodology and draws from sources such as the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), Peterson's databases including their Distance Learning Licensed Data Set, and the College Scorecard database from the National Center for Education Statistics. Use the ranking as a starting point, then verify licensure alignment, field placement support, accreditation, cost, and format with each school.

1. University of South Dakota: Master of Arts (MA) in Addiction Studies

The University of South Dakota’s MA in Addiction Studies is designed for students who want to focus on addiction counseling. Graduates may pursue roles in treatment centers, mental health agencies, private practice, and related behavioral health settings. The program is fully online and includes both asynchronous and synchronous elements, allowing students to participate through online discussions, lectures, and virtual meetings.

• Program Length: 2 to 3 years
• Tracks/Concentrations: Addiction Studies
• Cost per Credit: $465.80
• Required Credits to Graduate: 33-45 credits
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. Northern State University: Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.) with Counseling Specialization

Northern State University, established in 1970, offers an M.S.Ed. with counseling specializations in clinical mental health and school counseling. The program is intended for students seeking professional counseling licensure in South Dakota. Its hybrid format combines online and campus-based learning, with many courses available virtually or in person and some courses delivered fully online.

• Program Length: 2 to 3 years
• Tracks/Concentrations: Clinical Mental Health Counseling, School Counseling
• Cost per Credit: $369 - $642
• Required Credits to Graduate: 60 credits
• Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs

3. South Dakota State University: Master of Science (M.S.) in Rehabilitation Counseling

South Dakota State University’s rehabilitation counseling program prepares students to work with individuals with disabilities in areas such as vocational rehabilitation, supported employment, and independent living. The program is entirely online and includes both synchronous and asynchronous learning through discussions, lectures, and group projects.

• Program Length: 2 to 3 years
• Tracks/Concentrations: Rehabilitation Counseling
• Cost per Credit: $377 - $654
• Required Credits to Graduate: 36 credits
• Accreditation: Council for Rehabilitation Education (CORE)

4. Grand Canyon University: Master's Degree in Counseling

Grand Canyon University offers a regionally accredited online master’s in counseling with specializations that include clinical mental health counseling and school counseling. The program is designed for students pursuing licensure in their respective states and includes asynchronous coursework along with synchronous components such as live webinars, video lectures, and online discussions.

• Program Length: 2 to 3 years
• Tracks/Concentrations: Clinical Mental Health Counseling, School Counseling
• Cost per Credit: $595
• Required Credits to Graduate: 58 credits
• Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs

5. Keiser University: Master of Science (MS) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Keiser University’s online MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is aimed at students preparing for work in mental health settings. Licensure fit depends on state-specific rules, so South Dakota applicants should confirm requirements before enrolling. The program uses online discussions, recorded lectures, and live webinars to connect students with faculty and classmates.

• Program Length: 2 to 3 years
• Tracks/Concentrations: Clinical Mental Health Counseling
• Cost per Credit: $495.00
• Required Credits to Graduate: 60 credits
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Here’s what graduates of counselor master’s programs say about becoming an LPC in South Dakota

Key Insights

• South Dakota’s LPC pathway requires a qualifying master’s degree, the NCE, an approved supervision plan, 2,000 supervised hours, and a completed application.
• The LPC-MH is the stronger target credential for counselors who want clinical mental health responsibilities, including diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders.
• Program choice is the most important early decision. Confirm CACREP accreditation or Board-aligned coursework, practicum, internship, state authorization, and field placement support before enrolling.
• South Dakota’s counseling demand is shaped by mental health needs, rural access gaps, school-based concerns, and projected job growth, including 19% growth by 2032 according to the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation.
• The average LPC salary in South Dakota is $57,894, but earnings depend on setting, location, specialization, experience, and whether you pursue LPC-MH status.
• Rural practice can offer meaningful opportunities, but it requires flexibility, strong referral knowledge, telehealth readiness, and comfort serving clients with limited local resources.
• A counseling master’s degree is most likely to pay off when it leads directly to licensure eligibility, manageable debt, supervised experience access, and a clear career setting.

References:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). (2026). School and Career Counselors and Advisors – Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/school-and-career-counselors.htm
• Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP). (2026). Accredited Counseling Programs. Retrieved from https://www.cacrep.org
• CounselingDegreeGuide.org. (2025). South Dakota Counseling License Requirements & Employment Projections. Retrieved from https://www.counselingdegreeguide.org/licensure/south-dakota/
• Counselingschools.com. (2025). Counseling Licenses in South Dakota (Education & Licensure Requirements). Retrieved from https://www.counselingschools.com/licenses/south-dakota
• NBCC. (2026). National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE). Retrieved from https://www.nbcc.org/Certifications/NCMHCE
• O*NET OnLine. (2026). 21‑1014.00 Mental Health Counselors – Bright Outlook (Education/Job Info). Retrieved from https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/21-1014.00
• South Dakota Department of Health. (2025). Vital Statistics Reports: Behavioral Health Trends and Suicide Mortality. https://doh.sd.gov/statistics/
• South Dakota Department of Social Services. (2026). Licensed Professional Counselor‑Mental Health (LPC‑MH). Retrieved from https://dss.sd.gov/licensingboards/counselors/lpc-mh.aspx
• South Dakota Department of Social Services. (2026). Licensing‑Counselors Board Information. Retrieved from https://dss.sd.gov/licensingboards/counselors/licensing.aspx
• South Dakota Department of Social Services. (2026). Examinations for LPC & LPC‑MH Licenses. Retrieved from https://dss.sd.gov/licensingboards/counselors/examinations.aspx
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025). Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes211018.htm