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South Dakota does not require a state license to practice acupuncture. Learn about NCCAOM voluntary certification, scope of practice considerations, and how South Dakota compares to other states. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Acupuncturist
Governing Authority
South Dakota Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners
Official website →(605) 367-7781
No Acupuncturist License Required
South Dakota does not require a state license to practice acupuncture. NCCAOM certification may still be valuable for credibility and portability to other states. Check local regulations for any municipal requirements.
South Dakota does not require a state license to practice acupuncture. This means there is no state regulatory framework specifically governing acupuncturists. Practitioners may still obtain voluntary NCCAOM (National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine) certification for professional credibility and portability to states that do require licensure. Local business licensing and municipal regulations may still apply.
South Dakota Does Not License Acupuncturists
South Dakota is among the states that do not require a state license to practice acupuncture. This means there is no state regulatory framework specifically for acupuncturists. Practitioners may still obtain voluntary NCCAOM certification for credibility and portability to other states. Local regulations and business licensing requirements may still apply.
South Dakota has no acupuncture licensing statute; the practice is limited to physicians and other licensed medical professionals.
South Dakota does not license or regulate acupuncturists.
Acupuncture may be practiced by licensed physicians.
There is no standalone acupuncture practice act.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in South Dakota.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Estimated total: 186–210 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: South Dakota Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners — Licensing Requirements
4–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: South Dakota Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners — Licensing Requirements
Study guides and practice tests for the NCCAOM certification exam.
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While South Dakota does not require a state license for acupuncturists, obtaining NCCAOM certification is highly recommended. It demonstrates professional competence, is required for insurance billing in most cases, and provides portability to the 44+ states that do require licensure.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.