South Dakota Board of Counselor Examiners

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

The South Dakota Board of Counselor Examiners has converted its forms to the ADOBE .PDF format (Portable Document Format) which is both device and resolution independent. The printed version of these PDF documents will be similar regardless of the device used to print. In order to view or print the Adobe Acrobat forms, you must download the free ADOBE Acrobat Reader for Windows, DOS or for Macintosh. For best viewing results, we recommend using Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0.

LMFT Statutes SDCL 36-33 and Rules Article 20:71

A PLAN OF SUPERVISION must be submitted and approved prior to the start of Supervision.
No hours can count toward the LMFT license without prior approval of the Plan. The Application should not be completed or submitted until all the licensing requirements have been met and an applicant is ready for licensure review/consideration. Although the Applicant is encouraged to read through the Application to be familiar with the requirements, etc.

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) Plan of Supervision

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) Application Packet

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) by Endorsement Application Packet

The LMFT application requires completion and a non-refundable $100 fee paid before licensure consideration. After approval, the applicant pays $75 initial license fee. The initial license fee is not prorated.

Licenses are renewed annually for $75 by December 31. A license not renewed by January 1 carries a $50 penalty in addition to the renewal fee and should be sent along with the renewal form.

Forty hours of approved continuing education is required biennially for renewal each odd-numbered year. (See specifics at ARSD 20:68:07.)

The Examination for Marital and Family Therapy is required for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists.

This exam is computer-based and is offered during three windows of opportunity per year to SD qualified applicants. Qualified applicants must have completed their licensing requirements, have a completed application on file in the board office and all fees paid at least 60 days prior to the exam date. Dates and locations are determined by the examination service. Registration for the exam must be completed on a form provided by the board. The exam cost is $220 payable to the exam service, plus $75 payable to the exam site. If failed, the reexamination costs $315, with the additional $20 payable to the SD board.

The LMFT must abide by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Code of Ethics (see www.aamft.org).