Mandatory topics
South Dakota has no state-mandated topic requirements beyond the 0-hour total.
Atlas CME tracks each of these mandatory topics against your South Dakota cycle automatically. Start tracking free →
Accepted credit
South Dakota accepts CME from nationally accredited providers. Confirm provider eligibility with South Dakota Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners before the renewal cycle.
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 CME hours do South Dakota physicians need?
Zero. South Dakota does not impose a CME requirement on MD or DO physicians as a condition of license renewal. Verified against primary sources 2026-04-18: SDCL Chapter 36-4's renewal statute conditions renewal on a biennial fee only, and ARSD Article 20:47 (the Board's physician rules) contains no continuing-education chapter.[1][2] The Legislature's rulemaking delegation to the Board covers 'licensure, fees, and inspections' — CME is not included.[1] Physicians still have to meet specialty-board MOC, hospital credentialing, out-of-state license requirements, and the federal DEA MATE Act 8-hour training.
Are there mandatory CME topics in South Dakota?
No. Neither SDCL Chapter 36-4 nor ARSD Article 20:47 imposes any mandatory CME topics on physicians. ARSD 20:47:08:01(5) states that 'a physician shall continue to study, apply, and advance scientific knowledge, maintain a commitment to medical education,' but this is an aspirational ethical duty, not a numerical CME rule tied to renewal.[3] Federally, DEA-registered prescribers must complete the MATE Act one-time 8-hour substance use disorder training, but that is a federal DEA obligation, not a South Dakota Board rule.
When is my South Dakota medical license up for renewal?
South Dakota medical licenses renew biennially, on or before March 1 of odd-numbered years.[1] Renewals become available in the SDBMOE online portal 90 days before expiration. The Board states that 'reminders, if sent, are a courtesy' — the responsibility to renew on time is the licensee's.
If the state does not require CME, why should I still track it?
Because almost every other organization in your professional life does. ABMS and AOA specialty boards require ongoing MOC or CC activity for certification. Hospital credentialing at Joint Commission and DNV-accredited facilities almost always imposes a CME floor at reappointment. Employers, health systems, and malpractice carriers often have their own internal rules. If you hold a second license in another state through the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, that state likely requires CME and can audit you. The federal MATE Act requires an 8-hour training for every DEA-registered prescriber.
What credit types does South Dakota accept?
Because no state CME hour requirement exists, the SDBMOE publishes no approved-credit list for physicians. For satisfying outside obligations (specialty boards, hospitals, employers, other state licenses), South Dakota physicians generally rely on AMA PRA Category 1 Credit from ACCME-accredited providers, AOA Category 1 credit for DOs, and AAFP Prescribed credit for family physicians.
Do South Dakota MDs and DOs have different CME requirements?
No. South Dakota does not maintain a separate osteopathic licensing board — DOs and MDs are both licensed by the South Dakota Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners and subject to the same CME requirements.