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How to become a licensed speech-language pathologist (SLP) in South Dakota. Praxis exam required. Clinical fellowship required. Total initial fees: $339. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist
Most information on this page has been verified.
94% of data points are verified against official sources. 3 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Required
Praxis Required
Not Required
CCC-SLP Required
Required
Clinical Fellowship
Permitted
Telepractice
20 hrs
CE Hours
$339
Total Initial Fees
Education & Program Requirements
VerifiedDegree Required
Master's or doctoral degree from an ASHA-accredited institution with emphasis in speech-language pathology
CAA Accreditation
Required
CAA Details
Program must be accredited by the accrediting agency of ASHA from an educational institution approved by the US Department of Education
Program Length
2-3 years (master's level)
Clinical Practicum Hours
400 hrs
Required Coursework
SLP licensure requires a master's degree in speech-language pathology from a CAA-accredited program (Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology). Programs typically include 375-400 clinical practicum hours and coursework in speech, language, swallowing, and cognitive-communication disorders.
Exam Requirements
VerifiedPraxis Required
Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology
162
Passing Score
Computer-delivered test; 132 selected-response questions; 2.5 hours
Format
$146
Exam Fee
Retake Policy
28-day waiting period between attempts; no limit on number of attempts
The Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology (test code 5331) is administered by ETS. Most states require a passing score of 162. The exam covers foundations of practice, screening and assessment, planning and intervention, and professional issues.
Clinical Fellowship Requirements
VerifiedClinical Fellowship Required
36 wks
Duration
1,260 hrs
Total Hours
Yes
CF License Available
Supervision Requirements
At least 9 months of supervised postgraduate professional experience under a licensed SLP
Supervisor Qualifications
Supervisor must hold current CCC-SLP and a valid SD SLP license
The Clinical Fellowship (CF) is a mentored professional experience completed after earning a master's degree. It typically requires 36 weeks of full-time experience (approximately 1,260 hours) under the supervision of a CCC-SLP certified speech-language pathologist. Many states offer a temporary CF license to allow practice during this period.
CCC-SLP & ASHA Requirements
VerifiedNot Required
CCC-SLP for License
Not Required
ASHA Membership
Accepted in Lieu
CCC-SLP or verification of CCC may be accepted in lieu of exam and CF documentation
The Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) is a nationally recognized credential granted by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Some states require or accept CCC-SLP certification as part of the licensure process or in lieu of certain requirements such as the Praxis exam or clinical fellowship verification.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $150 |
Praxis Fee Paid directly to ETS | $146 |
License Fee | Included in application fee |
Renewal Fee | $150 |
Background Check Fee | $43 |
Total Initial Fees Includes application/license ($150), Praxis exam ($135), background check (~$43) | $339 |
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years (biennial; renewal due October 1)
Renewal Period
20 hrs
CE Hours Required
Accepted
ASHA CEUs Accepted
Required CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$150
Late fee of $50 applies if renewed after October 31
Regulatory Board
SLP licenses must be renewed on schedule. Most states require 20-30 hours of continuing education per renewal period. Many states accept ASHA Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to satisfy state CE requirements.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
Endorsement Available
Yes
Interstate Compact
South Dakota is NOT a member of the ASLP Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC).
Endorsement Requirements
The Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC) allows licensed SLPs to practice in other compact member states. Non-compact states require license by endorsement, which typically involves verifying existing credentials and may require additional documentation.
South Dakota has separate licensing boards for SLPs (Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology) and audiologists (Board of Hearing Aid Dispensers and Audiologists). Renewal is due October 1 biennially with a $50 late fee after October 31.
South Dakota requires a master's degree from an ASHA-accredited institution.
The Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology (score of 162) is required.
A Clinical Fellowship of 9 months must be completed under supervision.
20 CE hours (2.0 CEUs) required per biennial renewal.
Late renewal fee of $50 applies after October 31.
South Dakota has a separate board for SLPs (Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology) from audiologists.
South Dakota is NOT a member of the ASLP Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC).
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in South Dakota.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#51 of 51
Cost
#28 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Speech-Language Pathologists (SOC 29-1127)
Entry Level
$61,690
25th percentile
Median
$63,180
-34% vs. national avg ($95,410)Experienced
$77,510
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
510 employed in this state
Source: BLS OEWS – Speech-Language Pathologists (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+10.4%
High DemandNew Jobs
+17,600
over 10 years
Annual Openings
11,200
per year (avg.)
168,700 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 170–216 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: South Dakota Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology — Licensing Requirements
4–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: South Dakota Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology — Licensing Requirements
Study guides for the Praxis SLP licensing exam.
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South Dakota requires passing the Praxis SLP exam for SLP licensure. A clinical fellowship is required. All licensing is managed through the South Dakota Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.