Mandatory topics
South Dakota has no state-mandated topic requirements beyond the 30-hour total.
Atlas CME tracks each of these mandatory topics against your South Dakota cycle automatically. Start tracking free →
Accepted credit
Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, South Dakota Medical Association, or AAFP. ACGME residency or fellowship time accrues toward the requirement. Teaching or presenting accredited CME can satisfy a portion of required hours.
| Credit system | Notes |
|---|---|
AMA PRA Category 1 PAs only | Board administrative practice. SDCL 36-4A-31 uses 'approved by the board'; ARSD 20:52 is silent on approved providers. |
AAPA Category 1 PAs only | Board administrative practice. SDCL 36-4A-31 uses 'approved by the board'; ARSD 20:52 is silent on approved providers. |
Documentation & audit
Physicians are responsible for retaining CME documentation and producing it on request. Requirements include course title, dates, hours, sponsoring organization, and accrediting body.
Waivers & exemptions
No formal waivers or exemptions are published for South Dakota.
FAQ
How many CE hours do South Dakota PAs need?
PAs must complete at least 30 hours of board-approved post-graduate study during the preceding 12 months. A PA may alternatively document compliance by providing proof of current NCCPA certification — an explicit statutory safe harbor, not a separate requirement. All licenses renew annually with a fixed May 1 deadline.[1]
Are there mandatory CE topics for PAs in South Dakota?
No. The statute requires only 'post-graduate studies approved by the board' with no mandatory topic breakdown. ARSD Title 20:52 is entirely silent on CE topics, approved providers, and attestation mechanisms. South Dakota also imposes no state-level controlled substance or opioid CME requirement on PAs. The federal MATE Act requires a one-time 8-hour training for DEA-registered prescribers, but that is a federal requirement, not a South Dakota mandate.
Where can I check my South Dakota PA license renewal date?
South Dakota PA licenses renew annually with a May 1 deadline.[1] You can manage your renewal through your MySD account on the South Dakota Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners website at sdbmoe.gov.[2] Per the board: 'renewal of your South Dakota license is entirely your responsibility' — the board does not guarantee renewal reminders.[2]
Does NCCPA certification replace the South Dakota CE requirement?
Yes — and this is an explicit statutory safe harbor, not merely accepted practice. The statute states that a PA 'may document compliance with subdivision (3) by providing proof of current certification from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.' If your NCCPA certification is current, you do not need to track or report separate CE hours to the South Dakota board. Additionally, PAs practicing without a collaborative agreement must maintain NCCPA certification, making it doubly important for independently practicing PAs to keep it current.[1]