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2026 South Dakota Psychology Licensure Requirements – How to Become a Psychologist in South Dakota
Choosing a psychology school or licensure pathway in South Dakota is not only an academic decision. It affects how long you will study, whether your training meets state requirements, what kinds of clients you may eventually serve, and whether the cost of graduate education makes sense for your career goals. South Dakota’s mental health needs make this decision especially important: around 30.6% of adults reported symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorder, and 25.4% of adults who needed professional care were unable to obtain it.
This guide explains how psychology education, licensure, and career options work in South Dakota. You will learn what degree is required to become a licensed psychologist, how the application and renewal process works, what local and online program options may fit your goals, and what alternatives exist if you want to work in mental health without earning a doctoral degree. Students comparing campus and graduate psychology programs online can also use this guide to evaluate whether a master’s program is a stepping stone, a terminal credential, or the wrong fit for their intended role.
Quick Answer: Is South Dakota a Good State for Psychology Careers?
South Dakota can be a strong option for psychology professionals who want to work in a state with clear service needs, especially in clinical, counseling, school, addiction, rural, and community mental health settings. However, becoming a licensed psychologist requires a doctoral degree, supervised experience, national and state examinations, and annual continuing education. A master’s degree can support related mental health careers, but it does not replace the doctorate required for psychologist licensure in South Dakota.
Decision Point
What It Means in South Dakota
Minimum degree for psychologist licensure
Doctoral degree in psychology from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or Canada
Required supervised experience before licensure
1,800 hours of pre-doctoral supervised experience plus a year of post-doctoral psychological experience
Required exams
Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and an oral examination administered by the South Dakota Board of Examiners of Psychologists
State workforce need
South Dakota has 59 mental health care practitioners serving a population of 791,497, with a 64% shortage reported by Kaiser Family Foundation
Best local doctoral option
The University of South Dakota offers the only APA-accredited doctoral psychology program in the state
Best Psychology Schools in South Dakota Table of Contents
Overview of the Psychology Industry in South Dakota
South Dakota’s psychology workforce is shaped by a serious access problem. According to Kaiser Family Foundation data, the state has only 59 mental health care practitioners for a population of 791,497, creating a 64% shortage. For students and professionals, this does not guarantee employment, but it does show why qualified providers are needed in clinical, counseling, school, rural, addiction, and community-based settings.
Career opportunities vary by specialization. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Projections Central data show that psychology instructors in South Dakota are projected to grow by 14.3%, compared with a 10.2% national average. Clinical and counseling psychologists, along with psychologists in other specialties, are projected to grow by 8.3%, resulting in 40 in-state annual openings through 2030. Professionals with training in areas such as workplace behavior, assessment, and organizational development may also consider graduate preparation in industrial-organizational psychology.
Psychology Role
Projected Job Growth Nationwide (2024-2034)
Projected Job Growth in SD (2024-2034)
Average Annual Job Openings in SD
Postsecondary Psychology Teachers
4%
14.3%
10
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
11%
8.3%
20
Other Psychology Specialists
4%
8.3%
10
Salary is another important part of the decision. South Dakota psychology salaries are below some national averages, but the field can still provide viable earnings depending on specialization, setting, and experience. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists psychiatrists among the tenth-highest-paid professionals in the state, with an average salary of $215,050. Psychologists in other specialties, including roles that may connect with an organizational psychology degree, earn an average of $99,220, while clinical and counseling psychologists earn $86,190. The Living Wage Calculator reports that South Dakota residents can make ends meet on a $31,509 wage, which gives useful context when comparing salaries, debt, and local cost of living.
Occupation
Average Salary in SD
Average Salary Nationwide
Psychiatrists
$215,050
$247,350
Other Psychologists
$99,220
$99,560
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
$86,190
$102,740
Postsecondary Psychology Teachers
$69,080
$88,470
Psychiatric Technicians
$33,390
$40,760
Educational Requirements for Psychologists in South Dakota
South Dakota uses a doctoral-level licensure model for psychologists. A bachelor’s degree and master’s degree can prepare you for graduate study or related mental health roles, but they are not enough on their own to qualify for psychologist licensure. Before applying, you must complete the state’s education, experience, and examination requirements.
Doctoral education: Applicants must hold a doctoral degree in psychology from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or Canada.
Pre-doctoral supervised experience: Doctoral training must include at least 1,800 hours of supervised pre-doctoral experience, completed over two consecutive calendar years or less.
National examination: Candidates must pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).
State oral examination: Candidates must pass an oral examination administered by the South Dakota Board of Examiners of Psychologists.
Students should expect a long training timeline. Completing the education and licensure pathway through South Dakota institutions may take seven to eight years. The actual length depends on the program structure, whether a master’s degree is embedded in the doctoral curriculum, dissertation progress, internship placement, and the timing of supervised post-doctoral experience.
Education Level
How It Fits Psychology Careers
Best For
Bachelor’s degree in psychology
Provides foundational knowledge but does not qualify graduates for psychologist licensure
Students preparing for graduate school or entry-level human services roles
Master’s degree in psychology or related field
Can strengthen research, assessment, and specialty knowledge, but does not replace the doctoral requirement for psychologist licensure
Students exploring doctoral study or related mental health roles
Doctoral degree in psychology
Required for South Dakota psychologist licensure when combined with required experience and exams
Students seeking independent psychologist practice, clinical assessment, advanced intervention, or academic careers
South Dakota Licensure Application and Renewal Process
The South Dakota psychologist licensure process is document-heavy and sequential. You must complete an eligible doctoral program, submit required materials to the Board, pass the required exams, complete post-doctoral psychological experience under provisional licensure, and then receive final approval. Because South Dakota does not currently offer online psychology license application services, applicants should plan ahead for mailed forms, official transcripts, and direct institutional documentation.
Earn an Eligible Doctoral Degree
The first major requirement is a regionally accredited doctorate in psychology. A Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Psychology or Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) may meet this requirement if the program satisfies South Dakota’s standards. Programs can take between four and seven years depending on specialization, enrollment pace, dissertation or research expectations, and whether master’s-level study is included within the doctoral sequence.
Your doctoral program must also include a practical training component. South Dakota requires 1,800 hours of pre-doctoral supervised experience, so students should confirm early that any program they consider has an approved internship or practicum structure that supports this requirement.
Submit Your South Dakota Psychology License Application
After earning the doctoral degree, applicants must send their initial materials directly to the Board of Examiners office. The Board requires a completed application form, a cover letter, documentation of pre-doctoral supervised internship experience, and proof of required coursework. The Board website provides templates for these documents, and official doctoral transcripts must be mailed directly by the degree-granting institution.
Applicants also need to budget for fees. The South Dakota psychology license application cost, including the required pre-licensure oral examination, is $300.
Licensure Stage
What You Need to Do
Key Detail to Check
Doctoral education
Complete a regionally accredited psychology doctorate
Confirm the program includes 1,800 hours of pre-doctoral supervised experience
Initial application
Mail the required forms, cover letter, internship documentation, coursework records, and official transcripts
Transcripts must come directly from the institution
Exam approval
Wait for written or email authorization before testing
Do not schedule exams before Board approval
Post-doctoral experience
Apply for provisional licensure and complete supervised psychological work
The provisional license lasts 12 months
Final licensure
Submit experience documentation and receive Board approval
The initial licensure fee is $200
Pass the Required Licensure Exams
Once the Board reviews your initial application, it will send written or email approval to proceed with the required examinations. South Dakota requires the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and an oral jurisprudence examination.
The EPPP is administered online by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards. It uses 225 multiple-choice items to assess knowledge of psychological theories and their application. The exam has two parts: part one focuses on knowledge, and part two focuses on skills. South Dakota applicants are required to take part one and earn a scaled score of 500.
After your EPPP score is submitted for review, the Board may schedule the oral examination. This exam evaluates your understanding of professional ethics, practice responsibilities, and South Dakota laws governing psychology. A score of 75% or higher is required for the oral exam to count toward licensure.
South Dakota law states that examination requirements may be waived for applicants who hold an APA-accredited degree and an active psychology license in another state.
Request Provisional Licensure and Complete Post-doctoral Experience
Passing the exams is not the final step. South Dakota also requires applicants to complete a year of post-doctoral psychological experience. Before those hours can begin, you must request a provisional license by mailing the application form to the Board.
A provisional psychology license in South Dakota is valid for 12 months. During that period, applicants must complete 40 hours of supervised post-doctoral experience each week over 12 consecutive months. The work may include assessment, diagnosis, intervention, consultation, and other patient-facing psychological services under the supervision of a licensed psychologist. At least two hours each month must be completed through direct, face-to-face supervision.
After the required experience is complete, you must submit documentation to the Board. The Board then reviews the full file before issuing a psychology license.
Receive Your South Dakota Psychology License
If the Board approves your complete application, you will be licensed to practice psychology in South Dakota. License status can be reviewed through the SD psychologist license verification portal available through the Board website. The initial licensure fee is $200.
Renew Your License and Complete Continuing Education
South Dakota psychology licenses expire each year on June 30. Renewal requires a completed renewal application, payment of the $300 renewal fee, and proof of required continuing education.
Licensed psychologists in South Dakota must complete 1.5 units, or 15 continuing education hours, each year. Up to five hours may come from independent professional reading. At the end of each licensure cycle, you must submit a continuing education activity report with the renewal application.
What opportunities exist for psychology professionals in South Dakota amid the mental health crisis?
South Dakota’s shortage of mental health professionals creates a practical need for well-trained psychologists, counselors, social workers, school mental health providers, and addiction specialists. For licensed psychologists, the strongest opportunities may be in settings where diagnostic assessment, evidence-based intervention, crisis response, and consultation are difficult to access locally.
Rural and underserved communities are especially important. Long travel distances, limited provider networks, and fewer specialized services can make it harder for residents to receive care. Psychologists who are comfortable with telehealth, integrated care, interdisciplinary teamwork, and community-based practice may be better positioned to serve these areas effectively.
The University of South Dakota is particularly relevant because it offers the state’s only accredited doctoral program in clinical psychology. Students who want to compare undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral options can also review the best colleges for psychology in South Dakota to identify programs aligned with their interests.
Specialties such as addiction counseling, child and adolescent mental health, disaster psychology, rural behavioral health, assessment, and school-based services may be especially meaningful in South Dakota. These paths are not only career options; they are ways to reduce care gaps in communities where professional mental health support is limited.
What financial aid options are available for psychology students in South Dakota?
Psychology education can become expensive, particularly at the doctoral level. Students should compare total program cost, assistantships, internship funding, scholarships, and loan repayment options before enrolling. The lowest tuition is not always the least expensive path if a program offers limited funding, poor transfer policies, or training that does not meet licensure expectations.
Federal and state grants: Eligible students may use need-based federal aid such as the Pell Grant. South Dakota residents may also explore state options, including the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship for high-achieving high school graduates.
Psychology scholarships: Professional organizations, including the American Psychological Association, may offer psychology-related scholarships. Regional groups such as the South Dakota Psychological Association may also provide awards for students entering the profession.
Work-study and campus employment: Universities such as the University of South Dakota may offer federal work-study opportunities. These roles can help students earn income while gaining exposure to research labs, clinics, or academic departments.
Loan repayment after licensure: Licensed psychologists who work in underserved communities may qualify for repayment programs. The National Health Service Corps offers loan repayment assistance to eligible licensed psychologists who commit to service in high-need areas.
Financial Aid Option
How It Can Help
Question to Ask Before Relying on It
Grants
Reduce out-of-pocket cost and usually do not require repayment
Am I eligible based on financial need, residency, or academic record?
Scholarships
May support psychology students, graduate students, or future clinicians
Is the scholarship renewable, and does it apply to graduate study?
Assistantships or work-study
Can provide income and professional experience
How many hours are required, and will the workload affect clinical training?
Loan repayment programs
May reduce debt after licensure if you serve in an eligible area
What employment location, provider type, and service commitment are required?
List of Top Psychology Programs in South Dakota for 2026
South Dakota has a limited number of doctoral psychology options. Among in-state institutions, the University of South Dakota offers the only accredited doctoral psychology degree. Students who need more flexibility or a different specialization may also compare psychology online graduate programs, but they should verify accreditation, internship availability, and whether the program satisfies South Dakota licensure requirements before enrolling.
University of South Dakota
The Ph.D. psychology program at the University of South Dakota is accredited by the American Psychological Association and is the only APA-accredited doctoral psychology program in South Dakota. The program can be completed within six years, either on campus or online, and students earn a master’s degree while progressing toward the doctorate.
The curriculum is designed to build both scientific knowledge and clinical competence. Students complete coursework in core psychology, clinical psychology, electives, and supervised practice. The program also includes at least two 9-12 month practicum experiences, giving students structured exposure to applied clinical work before graduation.
USD emphasizes research as part of doctoral training. Graduate students may participate in faculty-led research groups or pursue independent projects. Faculty research includes laboratory-based studies, survey research, and community-based field research.
Graduates earn the Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology and may apply for psychology licensure in South Dakota after meeting state requirements. As of the 2024 academic year, 92.59% of University of South Dakota clinical psychology PhD candidates passed the licensing exam on their first attempt.
Accreditation: American Psychological Association (APA)
Which Advanced Degree Option Best Aligns With My Career Goals?
The right graduate degree depends on the role you want, not just the subject you enjoy. If your goal is to become a licensed psychologist in South Dakota, you should focus on doctoral programs that meet state requirements for accreditation, supervised experience, examination preparation, and post-doctoral practice. If your goal is counseling, case management, school support, behavior analysis, social services, or organizational consulting, a different graduate pathway may be more efficient.
Career Goal
Degree Path to Consider
Why It May Fit
Licensed psychologist
Ph.D. or Psy.D. in psychology
South Dakota requires doctoral-level psychology education for psychologist licensure
Therapy or counseling role
Master’s in counseling, social work, marriage and family therapy, or a related field
May lead to non-psychologist mental health licensure, depending on program and state rules
Community mental health or social services
Master’s in social work or psychology
Can support work with clients, systems, and community resources
Workplace behavior and organizational consulting
Industrial-organizational psychology or related graduate study
Focuses on employee behavior, performance, assessment, and organizational systems
Students deciding between psychology and social work should compare curriculum, field placements, licensure rules, and long-term job duties. A detailed comparison of masters in social work or psychology can help clarify which route better matches your intended work with clients, organizations, or communities.
Can I Pursue Board Certification as a BCBA in South Dakota?
Board Certified Behavior Analyst certification can complement psychology training for professionals interested in behavioral assessment and intervention. BCBAs design, monitor, and adjust data-informed behavior plans, often in educational, clinical, and community settings. This credential is different from psychologist licensure, but it may be useful for professionals who want to work with behavior change, developmental disabilities, autism services, or school-based interventions.
If this path interests you, review the education, supervised experience, examination, and certification steps in the guide on how to become a BCBA in South Dakota.
What distinguishes a psychologist from a therapist in South Dakota?
In South Dakota, “psychologist” generally refers to a professional who has completed doctoral-level psychology education and met the state’s licensure requirements. Psychologists may conduct comprehensive evaluations, provide diagnosis, deliver evidence-based interventions, consult with organizations, and practice in clinical or academic roles depending on their training and license status.
“Therapist” is a broader term. It may describe licensed clinical social workers, professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, or other providers who deliver counseling or psychotherapy. These professionals often complete master’s-level education and separate licensure requirements. The two paths can overlap in day-to-day counseling work, but they differ in education level, scope of practice, assessment authority, and regulatory structure. For a deeper comparison, see Is there a difference between psychologist vs therapist?.
Can an online master's degree help me become a psychologist in South Dakota?
An online master’s degree in psychology can be useful, but it is not enough by itself to become a licensed psychologist in South Dakota. The state requires a doctoral degree for psychologist licensure. A master’s program may still be a smart step if it helps you strengthen your academic record, explore a specialization, prepare for doctoral study, or enter a related career that does not require psychologist licensure.
Online master’s programs may cover topics such as child development, forensic psychology, industrial-organizational psychology, research methods, psychological assessment, ethics, and human behavior. These subjects can support later doctoral study, but students should avoid assuming that every online program will satisfy doctoral admissions expectations or state licensure prerequisites.
This option may work best for students who already have a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field and need flexibility while working. It may be a weaker fit for students who know they want to become licensed psychologists as quickly as possible and can enter a doctoral pathway directly.
To compare options, review the guide to online masters in psychology and pay close attention to accreditation, specialization, faculty expertise, practicum expectations, and doctoral placement outcomes.
Could a Social Work Focus Enhance My Psychology Career in South Dakota?
Social work training can strengthen a psychology-related career by adding skills in case management, community resources, family systems, policy awareness, crisis support, and client advocacy. This can be especially valuable in rural or underserved areas where mental health professionals often coordinate with schools, hospitals, courts, social service agencies, and community organizations.
A social work path is not the same as psychologist licensure, but it may be more appropriate for students who want direct client service without a doctoral psychology program. To understand the education and licensure route, read What degree do you need to be a social worker in South Dakota?.
How Can I Pursue a Career in School Psychology in South Dakota?
School psychology combines mental health expertise with educational practice. Professionals in this field support students through assessment, intervention planning, consultation with teachers and families, behavioral support, and academic or socio-emotional services. In South Dakota, this work can be especially important for rural districts and underserved schools where access to specialized support may be limited.
Students interested in this path should look for graduate training that includes evidence-based assessment, school-based consultation, culturally responsive practice, intervention design, and supervised fieldwork in educational settings. For a focused roadmap, review the guide on how to become a school psychologist in South Dakota.
How Can I Specialize in Criminal Psychology in South Dakota?
Criminal psychology applies psychological knowledge to legal, correctional, investigative, and forensic settings. Depending on training and credentials, professionals may study behavior related to crime, support evaluations, consult with justice-related agencies, or work in correctional mental health environments. This specialty requires careful attention to ethics, assessment, documentation, and the boundaries between clinical and legal work.
Students considering this field should seek forensic coursework, relevant internships, supervised experience, and continuing education tied to criminal justice or correctional practice. For state-specific guidance, review how to become a criminal psychologist in South Dakota.
Alternative Career Paths in Psychology for Aspiring Professionals in South Dakota
Not every psychology student needs a doctoral degree. If your goal is to help clients, support schools, work in addiction services, improve workplaces, or contribute to human services, a master’s degree or specialized credential may lead to a more practical route. The key is to match the credential to the job title and license you actually need.
Clinical Social Workers and Counselors
Licensed clinical social workers and licensed counselors can provide important mental health services, including therapy, support planning, crisis care, and case coordination. These roles usually require a master’s degree in social work, counseling, or a related field, followed by supervised experience and state licensure. They may be a better fit than doctoral psychology for students who want a shorter graduate route into direct mental health practice.
Industrial-Organizational Psychology
Industrial-organizational psychology applies psychological principles to workplace problems. Professionals may help employers improve hiring, training, employee well-being, performance, leadership, and organizational systems. This path can appeal to students who like psychology but prefer business, consulting, analytics, or human resources over clinical practice.
Other Specializations
Students can also explore forensic psychology, educational psychology, health psychology, addiction counseling, behavioral analysis, or research-focused roles. Some positions require state licensure, while others require employer-specific qualifications, certification, or graduate training. If you are interested in flexible graduate study, online master's in clinical psychology programs may help you compare specializations, but you should confirm whether the degree supports your intended license or career outcome.
Alternative Path
Typical Focus
When It May Be a Better Fit Than Psychologist Licensure
Counseling
Therapy, client support, treatment planning
You want direct practice without completing a psychology doctorate
Social work
Clinical care, case management, advocacy, community systems
You want to combine mental health support with social services
Marriage and family therapy
Relationship, family, and couples counseling
You want a specialized therapy role focused on family systems
Addiction counseling
Substance use treatment and recovery support
You want to work with clients affected by substance use disorders
Industrial-organizational psychology
Workplace behavior and organizational improvement
You prefer business and consulting settings over clinical practice
What challenges might arise in the psychology licensure process in South Dakota?
The South Dakota licensure process is manageable, but applicants can run into delays when documentation is incomplete, transcripts are not sent directly from institutions, supervised experience forms lack required details, or applicants misunderstand exam timing. Because application services are not currently handled online, mailing requirements can also slow down the process if students wait until the last minute.
The EPPP and oral jurisprudence exam require different preparation strategies. The EPPP covers broad psychology knowledge, while the oral exam focuses on professional, ethical, and South Dakota-specific legal issues. Applicants also need to track provisional licensure and post-doctoral experience carefully, since the required experience must be documented before final approval.
Professionals pursuing related or dual credentials should expect additional rules, applications, and supervision requirements. If counseling licensure is part of your plan, review the South Dakota LPC license requirements before assuming that psychology coursework will transfer automatically into a counseling license pathway.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Choosing a program without checking licensure fit: Accreditation, internship structure, and supervised experience requirements matter more than convenience alone.
Assuming an online master’s degree leads directly to psychologist licensure: In South Dakota, psychologist licensure requires a doctoral degree.
Comparing only tuition: Total cost should include fees, lost wages, practicum travel, internship location, funding, and loan repayment options.
Waiting to document supervised experience: Keep records organized throughout training instead of reconstructing them during application.
Ignoring renewal requirements: Licensed psychologists must renew annually and complete 15 continuing education hours each year.
Relying only on rankings: A highly visible program is not always the right fit if it does not match your specialization, licensure needs, or preferred practice setting.
What other licenses can I obtain in the field of psychology in South Dakota?
Psychology students and graduates may qualify for or transition toward other mental health licenses depending on their education, supervised experience, and career goals. For example, an MFT license in South Dakota can prepare professionals to provide counseling services to individuals, couples, and families. Marriage and family therapy has its own education, training, and experience requirements, so it should be treated as a distinct pathway rather than a simple add-on.
Other related options may include professional counseling, clinical social work, addiction counseling, behavior analysis, or school psychology. Before enrolling in a program, ask the school which South Dakota license the curriculum is designed to support and whether graduates have successfully completed that pathway.
How Can I Transition to Addiction Counseling in South Dakota?
Addiction counseling can be a practical specialization for professionals with psychology training who want to work with substance use disorders, recovery planning, relapse prevention, treatment teams, and community support systems. This pathway has requirements that differ from psychologist licensure and may emphasize addiction studies coursework, supervised practice in treatment environments, examination rules, and continuing education.
If you are considering this route, compare addiction counseling requirements with your current education before assuming your psychology coursework will satisfy every requirement. For a step-by-step overview, read the guide on how to become a substance abuse counselor in South Dakota.
Is Dual Licensing in Psychology and Counseling Beneficial in South Dakota?
Dual licensing can help some professionals broaden their practice, but it is not necessary for everyone. It may make sense if you want to combine psychological assessment with counseling services, work across multiple care settings, qualify for more roles, or serve communities where providers need flexible credentials. It may not be worth the time and cost if your current license already supports your intended work.
Before pursuing a second credential, compare education gaps, supervision requirements, exam costs, continuing education obligations, and the scope of practice for each license. If professional counseling is the credential you are considering, start with the guide on how to become an LPC in South Dakota.
Are There Incentive Programs for Psychologists Serving Underserved Areas in South Dakota?
Because South Dakota has a significant shortage of mental health care practitioners, students and licensed professionals should investigate incentive programs tied to rural and underserved service. These may include loan repayment assistance, relocation support, continuing education support, or service-based financial incentives, depending on eligibility and employer participation.
Do not assume that every rural role qualifies. Incentive programs often have specific rules about provider type, practice site, service commitment, and documentation. If you are comparing mental health credentials and want a faster entry point into client services, learning the shortest path to become a counselor in South Dakota can help you compare timelines before committing to doctoral study.
Should You Obtain a Psychology License in South Dakota?
A South Dakota psychology license can be worth pursuing if you want doctoral-level clinical practice, psychological assessment, advanced intervention work, academic teaching, research, consultation, or leadership in mental health services. The state’s provider shortage creates meaningful need, but the path is long and requires careful planning.
You may want to pursue licensure if you are prepared for doctoral education, supervised experience, exams, annual continuing education, and the responsibility of independent practice. You may want a different path if you primarily want to provide counseling, work in social services, enter the workforce sooner, or avoid the cost and time commitment of a doctorate. There are many things to do with a psychology degree, so the best choice depends on your desired scope of practice, timeline, and tolerance for graduate school debt.
Key Insights
South Dakota has a real mental health access gap: The state has 59 mental health care practitioners serving 791,497 residents and a 64% shortage, which makes trained providers important in clinical, rural, school, addiction, and community settings.
Psychologist licensure requires a doctorate: A master’s degree can support related careers or doctoral preparation, but South Dakota requires a doctoral degree in psychology, 1,800 hours of pre-doctoral supervised experience, the EPPP, an oral exam, and post-doctoral psychological experience.
The licensure process is paperwork-sensitive: Applicants should plan for mailed materials, official transcripts sent directly by institutions, exam approval, provisional licensure, supervised post-doctoral documentation, and annual renewal.
Career outlook depends on specialization: South Dakota projects 14.3% growth for psychology instructors and 8.3% growth for clinical, counseling, and other psychologists, with 40 annual in-state openings through 2030.
Salary should be compared with cost and debt: Clinical and counseling psychologists in South Dakota earn an average of $86,190, while psychologists in other specialties earn $99,220. Program cost, funding, and loan repayment opportunities can strongly affect return on investment.
The University of South Dakota is the key in-state doctoral option: It offers the only APA-accredited doctoral psychology program in South Dakota, with a six-year structure, 106-118 required credits, and a $395 estimated cost per credit.
Alternative licenses may be more efficient for some students: Counseling, social work, marriage and family therapy, addiction counseling, school psychology, and behavior analysis may better fit students who want mental health careers without becoming licensed psychologists.
Glasmeier, A. K., & Massachusetts Institute of Technology. (n.d.). Living Wage Calculator Living Wage Calculation for South Dakota. Living Wage Calculator. Retrieved from https://livingwage.mit.edu/states/46
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024). Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. Area: South Dakota. Retrieved from https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/area/4600000
Other Things You Should Know About South Dakota Psychology Licensure Requirements
What are the educational requirements to become a licensed psychologist in South Dakota?
To become a licensed psychologist in South Dakota, you must hold a doctoral degree in psychology from a regionally accredited institution, complete at least 1,800 hours of pre-doctoral supervised experience, pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP), and pass an oral exam administered by the South Dakota Board of Examiners of Psychologists.
What exams are required for psychology licensure in South Dakota?
To obtain psychology licensure in South Dakota, candidates must pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and the state's oral jurisprudence exam. These exams test the candidate's psychological knowledge and understanding of professional conduct and state regulations.
What is the cost of applying for a psychology license in South Dakota?
As of 2026, the application fee for a psychology license in South Dakota is $200. Applicants should also budget for other costs such as examination fees and costs associated with meeting educational and professional prerequisites.
What are the steps to obtain a psychology license in South Dakota?
To obtain a psychology license in South Dakota, you must:
Earn a doctoral degree in psychology.
Complete 1,800 hours of pre-doctoral supervised experience.
Apply for a license with the South Dakota Board of Examiners of Psychologists.
Pass the EPPP and an oral exam.
Complete 40 hours of supervised post-doctoral experience each week for 12 months.
Submit documentation of your post-doctoral experience for review.
Are there continuing education requirements for psychologists in South Dakota?
Yes, South Dakota requires licensed psychologists to complete continuing education for license renewal. As of 2026, psychologists must complete 12 hours of continuing education annually, ensuring that their training is relevant and up-to-date. This can include attending workshops, seminars, or online courses specific to psychological practice.
Can I apply for a provisional psychology license in South Dakota?
Yes, you can apply for a provisional psychology license in South Dakota to accumulate post-doctoral psychological experience. A provisional license lasts for 12 months, during which you must complete the required 40 hours of supervised experience each week.
How can I meet the continuing education requirements for license renewal in South Dakota?
To meet the continuing education requirements for license renewal in South Dakota, you must complete 15 continuing education hours each year. Up to five hours can be earned from independent professional reading. At the end of each licensure period, you must submit a report of all continuing education activities with your renewal application.