How many hours do I need for a CSW-PIP in South Dakota?

two years of experience under appropriate supervision in the field of specialization (full-time ≥30 hrs/week; part-time 18-29 hrs/week takes 4 years)

How much supervision does a CSW-PIP in South Dakota require?

Full-time: 4 hours individual per month (2 yrs); part-time 18-29 hrs/wk: 2 hours per month (4 yrs); Minimum 4 hours of individual supervision per month (full-time)

Which exams are required for a CSW-PIP in South Dakota?

ASWB Clinical exam (board-prescribed ASWB exam; board form calls it the clinical exam)

Can I be supervised by video in South Dakota?

Mostly, with some limits. Rules require ≥4 h/month individual supervision (≤1/2 group or consultation per 6 months) but do not state a modality; when the supervisor is not physically present, they must be available by telecommunications or technology; the board may authorise modifications in supervision method and frequency.

South Dakota requirements

CSW-PIP requirements in South Dakota

What it takes to become a Certified Social Worker - Private Independent Practice in South Dakota: supervised experience over 2 years (full-time) or 4 years (part-time), plus supervision, time limits, exams and whether you can be supervised by video. Every figure is sourced to the state board and dated.

Sourced to SD Board of Social Work ExaminersChecked September 25, 2026Not individually reviewed by a clinicianAbout this site

Certified Social Worker - Private Independent Practice (clinical social worker) · South Dakota · regulated by SD Board of Social Work Examiners · high confidence

Pre-license credential	CSW (Certified Social Worker)
Supervised experience	two years of experience under appropriate supervision in the field of specialization (full-time ≥30 hrs/week; part-time 18-29 hrs/week takes 4 years)
Supervision	Full-time: 4 hours individual per month (2 yrs); part-time 18-29 hrs/wk: 2 hours per month (4 yrs)
Minimum time	2 years (full-time) or 4 years (part-time)
Exams	ASWB Clinical exam (board-prescribed ASWB exam; board form calls it the clinical exam)

Supervision

How much: Full-time: 4 hours individual per month (2 yrs); part-time 18-29 hrs/wk: 2 hours per month (4 yrs)
How often: Minimum 4 hours of individual supervision per month (full-time)
Group supervision: Group supervision or consultation may replace individual if ≤1/2 of supervision time in each 6-month period
Who may supervise: CSW-PIP, psychologist or psychiatrist licensed in SD ≥2 yrs; 6 hrs supervisor CE before agreement, 3 hrs every 2 yrs

When hours count and what to keep

Before your degree: Not counted: supervision follows CSW licensure under an approved agreement
Paperwork: Board-approved supervision agreement (Contract for Supervision); supervisor reports every 6 months; completion/termination form

Can you be supervised remotely in South Dakota?

Mostly, with some limits. What shapes this: prior board approval, video status not stated.

Video supervision: Rules require ≥4 h/month individual supervision (≤1/2 group or consultation per 6 months) but do not state a modality; when the supervisor is not physically present, they must be available by telecommunications or technology; the board may authorise modifications in supervision method and frequency.
Supervisor licensed in South Dakota? required (CSW-PIP, psychologist or psychiatrist licensed in good standing in SD ≥2 years)
Supervisor credential: No separate supervisor license; 6 h supervisor CE before submitting the agreement, 3 h every 2 years; board must find the agreement provides adequate supervision; supervisor should practise in the candidate's practice area
Board approval first: Supervision agreement must be filed and approved by the board before supervision begins; any change in practice status requires a new/amended agreement approved before the change.
If you live outside South Dakota: Out-of-state supervision may count if the board finds it substantially equivalent (ARSD 20:59:05:06); no rule on a CSW physically outside SD serving SD clients.

The client’s location decides which state’s rules apply. This is not legal advice; confirm with the board before building a program. Compare every state on the remote-supervision map.

Recent and pending changes

ARSD 20:59 chapter 5 amended eff 11/11/2024 (51 SDR 52)

Where the rules are unclear

South Dakota’s own documents disagree or are silent on these points. Ask the board if they affect you:

Does the board accept live video supervision toward the 4 h/month individual supervision for CSW-PIP candidates?
Has South Dakota joined the Social Work Licensure Compact under SDCL 36-26-18.1?

In the board’s own words

“Has had two years of experience under appropriate supervision in the field of specialization” — SDCL 36-26-17(2)✓ matched in the source

“a minimum of four hours of individual supervision per month” — ARSD 20:59:05:07 (Supervisor's reports and time of supervision)✓ matched in the source

“if the supervision does not exceed one-half of the total supervision time in each six-month period” — ARSD 20:59:05:07 (Supervisor's reports and time of supervision), subdivision (1)✓ matched in the source

“When the supervisor is not physically present with the CSW-PIP candidate, the supervisor must be available by telecommunications or technology” — ARSD 20:59:05:07 (Supervisor's reports and time of supervision), subdivision (3)✓ matched in the source

“The CSW-PIP candidate will not be approved to take their clinical exam until an application has been made and approved” — SD Board of Social Work Examiners, Contract for Supervision to Meet CSW-PIP Licensure, p.3✓ matched in the source

“Is licensed under this chapter as a certified social worker;” — SDCL ch. 36-26 (full chapter), §36-26-17(1)✓ matched in the source

“When the supervisor is not physically present with the CSW-PIP candidate, the supervisor must be available by telecommunications or technology” — ARSD 20:59:05:07(3)✓ matched in the source

“When the supervisor is not physically present with the CSW-PIP candidate” — ARSD 20:59:05:07(3)✓ matched in the source

“psychologist, or psychiatrist licensed in good standing in South Dakota for at least two years” — ARSD 20:59:05:03(1)✓ matched in the source

“Complete six hours of supervisor continuing education before submitting a proposed supervision agreement” — ARSD 20:59:05:03(2)✓ matched in the source

“will not be engaged in the private practice of social work until duly licensed as a CSW-PIP” — Contract for Supervision to Meet CSW-PIP Licensure✓ matched in the source

“shall file with, and have approved by, the board a supervision agreement in the form specified by the board prior to beginning the supervision” — ARSD 20:59:05:05✓ matched in the source

2 more quotes are in the state explorer.

Other licenses in South Dakota

Sources

Checked against SD Board of Social Work Examiners’s rules, statutes and publications on September 25, 2026. The board decides; if your situation is unusual, confirm with them.

Track your hours as you earn them

Practice Harbor is free while you are pre-licensed. It counts your clinical hours from the sessions you mark as attended, and you can add outside hours by hand.

Start free with Practice Harbor All requirements

General information, not legal advice. Requirements are summarized from each state’s licensing board, statutes and regulations on the date shown; the board decides, and rules change. Becoming Licensed is not affiliated with any licensing board.