Licensing · South Dakota
How to Get an Occupational Therapy License in South Dakota
By Deepam Pawar, OT · Updated October 9, 2026 · Sources: NBCOT state board list, OT Compact Commission, state board websites
To practice as an OT or OTA in South Dakota you need a degree from an ACOTE-accredited program, a passing NBCOT exam score (OTR or COTA), and a license from the South Dakota Board of Medical & Osteopathic Examiners. South Dakota is an OT Compact member but was not yet accepting compact privilege applications when we checked.
South Dakota licensing board
- Agency
- South Dakota Board of Medical & Osteopathic Examiners
- Website
- www.sdbmoe.gov
- Location
- Sioux Falls
- Phone
- (605) 367-7781
- sdbmoe@state.sd.us
From NBCOT’s Occupational Therapy Regulatory Body Contact List (rev. July 2026). Agencies and contacts change; confirm on the board’s website.
South Dakota OT license lookup
To verify an occupational therapist’s or OTA’s license in South Dakota, use the board’s official tool: Licensee Lookup ↗
A license lookup shows whether a South Dakota license is active. OT Compact privileges are checked separately on CompactConnect. License lookup for every state →
Steps to a South Dakota license
- Graduate from an ACOTE-accredited program. OT: an entry-level master’s or OTD with at least 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork. OTA: an associate or bachelor’s with at least 16 weeks. See OT programs and OTA programs in South Dakota.
- Pass the NBCOT exam: OTR for occupational therapists, COTA for assistants.
- Apply to the South Dakota Board of Medical & Osteopathic Examiners with your transcript or program verification, NBCOT score, fee and any background check the state requires.
- Complete any South Dakota-specific requirement, such as a jurisprudence (law) exam, and keep your license current with renewals and continuing education.
OT Licensure Compact in South Dakota
South Dakota is an OT Compact member but was not yet accepting compact privilege applications when we checked. The compact lets an OT or OTA licensed in their home member state get a “privilege to practice” in other member states once both are issuing privileges. See the OT Compact map and every state’s status.
| Accepting compact applications | Not yet |
|---|---|
| Jurisprudence requirement (compact) | Not required |
| South Dakota privilege fee (OT / OTA) | $50 / $50 |
| Compact fee | $75 |
Source: OT Compact Commission, otcompact.gov (updated October 5, 2026). States issuing privileges at that date: AR, IN, MD, MN, MS, OH, TN, VA, WV, WI.
Pay in South Dakota
U.S. median for occupational therapists: $100,330. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Compare all states.
Frequently asked questions
How do I look up an occupational therapy license in South Dakota?
Use the South Dakota Board of Medical & Osteopathic Examiners’s official “Licensee Lookup” tool: www.sdbmoe.gov. It shows whether an OT or OTA license is active.
Who issues occupational therapy licenses in South Dakota?
The South Dakota Board of Medical & Osteopathic Examiners (Sioux Falls). Official website: https://www.sdbmoe.gov
What do I need for an OT license in South Dakota?
In every state the core requirements are a degree from an ACOTE-accredited occupational therapy (or OTA) program, completed fieldwork, and a passing score on the NBCOT certification exam, plus the state’s application and fee. Check the South Dakota Board of Medical & Osteopathic Examiners for South Dakota-specific items such as a jurisprudence exam, background check or temporary permit.
Does South Dakota participate in the OT Licensure Compact?
South Dakota is an OT Compact member but was not yet accepting compact privilege applications when we checked.
How much do occupational therapists make in South Dakota?
The median wage for OTs in South Dakota was $85,050 a year, and $56,180 for OT assistants (BLS, May 2025).
Are there OT programs in South Dakota?
Yes: 1 OT program and 1 OTA program listed by ACOTE.