Behavioral Health Staffing in South Dakota: RBTs, BCBAs & DSPs

What South Dakota requires before a start

The BACB layer applies everywhere, South Dakota included. An RBT is at least 18, passes a background and abuse-registry check, completes the 40-hour training and competency assessment, passes the RBT exam, and is then supervised for at least 5% of service hours each month BACB, RBT 2026 requirements. A BCBA holds a master's degree or higher, completes behavior-analytic coursework or an accredited program and 2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork (or 1,500 concentrated hours), passes the BCBA exam, and recertifies every two years BACB, BCBA Handbook. Here is what South Dakota adds on top.

A state license — SDCL chapter 36-38. The Board of Social Work Examiners licenses behavior analysts, and no person may represent himself or herself as a behavior analyst, or practice or attempt to practice applied behavior analysis, unless licensed under the chapter or exempt from it; practicing as a behavior analyst without a license is a Class 2 misdemeanor. To qualify, an applicant must have a master's or doctoral degree, hold current certification as a board certified behavior analyst from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, not have been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude during the past five years, and verify that no disciplinary proceeding or pending complaint is open before another licensing board SDCL 36-38-1, 36-38-6, 36-38-7, 36-38-19. A license must be renewed annually, and failure to renew by July 1 each year constitutes a suspension ARSD 20:85:01:05. A person employed by a school board performing the duties of a school position is exempt, but may not represent himself or herself as a behavior analyst without the license SDCL 36-38-5(10).

Assistants and technicians — DCI fingerprints. An assistant behavior analyst or paraprofessional who delivers applied behavior analysis services under the extended authority and direction of a behavior analyst, supervised in accordance with BACB requirements, is exempt from licensure but must use a title such as assistant behavior analyst, ABA technician, behavior technician, tutor, or line therapist. Each one must submit to a criminal background investigation by means of fingerprint checks by the Division of Criminal Investigation, with the supervising behavior analyst responsible for the fees, and no assistant or paraprofessional convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude during the past five years may deliver applied behavior analysis services under a behavior analyst's direction SDCL 36-38-5(6), 36-38-25, 36-38-26.

Medicaid technician rules. South Dakota Medicaid pays for ABA billed by licensed and enrolled physicians, psychologists, and behavior analysts. Technician services may be provided by a BCaBA or a Registered Behavior Technician certificated by the BACB when supervised by a licensed and enrolled behavior analyst; BCaBAs and RBTs cannot enroll on their own, and their services are billed under the supervising behavior analyst using the technician-specific codes 97152 through 97154 SD Medicaid ABA billing manual.

DD provider employment screening — ARSD 46:11:04:15.02. Each community support provider must have a policy addressing criminal background checks, felony convictions, and drug screenings for new and current employees who provide direct service to participants, including a description of the background-check system, felony conviction checks using the Office of Inspector General, and drug screening under SDCL 27B-1-19. A copy of the policy goes to each employee, and screening results are kept in the employee's file ARSD 46:11:04:15.02.

DD staff orientation and training — ARSD 46:11:04:15.01. Before a new employee — including temporary employees and volunteers — performs any duties, orientation covers the provider and its policies, fire, accident, and emergency procedures, and identifying, documenting, and reporting abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Within 30 days, training covers the employee's specific duties and participants' rights; within six months, it covers positive behavior support ethics and plans, the individualized service plan, First Aid, CPR, approved safety intervention techniques, and disability awareness, with completion and competency documented in the personnel record. Providers of direct services also give employees at least 20 hours of medication administration training under the supervision of a licensed registered nurse ARSD 46:11:04:15.01, 46:11:07:07.

Ready to scope a South Dakota search? Send a staffing request or book a 30-minute discovery call. Comparing partners first? Start with our guides to the best RBT staffing agencies and the best DSP and group home staffing agencies.