South Dakota Teacher Requirements for Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists
The following information summarizes the requirements currently necessary to begin work in the public school system as an audiologist or speech-language pathologist.
This information has been collected by researching individual state department of education regulations and policy documents, state administrative code provisions, and by contacting each state department of education. Please be advised that regulations and policy may change at any time, so always check with your state department of education for the most up-to-date information.
Audiologists in the public schools are contract employees and do not fall under specific teacher requirements of the state Department of Education. State licensure is typically required for practice in the schools.
State License
Effective July 1, 2012, all new school-based speech-language pathologists must obtain a state license to practice in South Dakota schools. This requirement will not be enforced until the Board of Speech-Language Pathology has developed rules to regulate the profession.
- Possess a master's or doctoral degree in speech-language pathology or its equivalent from an educational institution accredited by the accrediting agency of ASHA and from an educational institution approved by the U.S. Department of Education;
- Complete supervised clinical practicum experiences from an educational institution or its cooperating programs;
- Complete a supervised postgraduate professional experience;
- Pass a written national examination in speech-language pathology
- The requirements will be waived for those applicants who present proof of current licensure in a state that has standards that are equivalent to or greater than South Dakota; or holds a current ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech Language Pathology.
- Any person who holds any speech-language pathologist certificate from the South Dakota Department of Education, and does not otherwise meet the requirements for state licensure will be granted a limited license to practice as a speech-language pathologist.
- School Speech and Hearing Clinician Endorsement (Remains in effect until rule promulgation)
Continuing Education Requirement
Six renewal credits approved by the Department of Education are required every five years until the Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology develops rules related to continuing education requirements.
Resources
The information contained herein was collected and summarized annually. For detailed information on teacher certification requirements, contact the state department of education and visit these websites:
Rules for Speech Language Pathologist
Speech-Language Pathologist Licensing Law [PDF]
Questions regarding state advocacy issues? Call ASHA at 800-498-2071 and ask for the State Advocacy Team.