South Dakota School Counselor Certification

Written by Dr. Lauren Davis, Ed.D., Last Updated: March 24, 2026

South Dakota school counselors support students across academic, social-emotional, and career development — a role grounded in the ASCA National Model and reinforced through the state’s comprehensive counseling framework. For more information about the role of school counselors in South Dakota, including the professional evaluation process, visit the School Counseling section of the South Dakota Department of Education website.

• Initial School Counseling Certification
• Certification Renewal
• Certification Through Reciprocity
• Additional Certification Resources

Initial South Dakota School Counselor Certification

The initial Education Specialist Certificate with School Counseling endorsement is valid for five years. South Dakota has two certification pathways — the one you follow depends on what degree you already hold.

Step 1: Education Requirements

You’ll meet the education requirement through one of these two paths:

Option A: Complete a master’s degree or higher from an approved school counseling preparation program (PreK–12). Programs accredited by CACREP often satisfy this requirement, but you may not need to take the Praxis exam depending on program approval — confirm with the SD DOE before assuming you’re exempt.

Option B: If you hold a master’s degree in counseling (not specifically in school counseling), you may be required to complete a supervised mentorship year depending on your pathway, in addition to passing the School Counselor Praxis Exam (ETS Test Code 5422, passing score: 159 — verify current requirement with ETS/SD DOE).

The mentor must hold an active SD school counselor certificate with at least three years of experience. The mentorship year involves regular supervision, documentation of your work, and a sign-off from your mentor at the end of the year. Your mentor will also complete a separate endorsement form through the SD DOE. If you’re in this pathway, start identifying a potential mentor before or during your final semester — don’t wait until you’re ready to apply.

Step 2: Criminal Background Check

South Dakota law requires a criminal background investigation for school employment. A background check is required as part of employment and/or certification. Confirm timing with the SD DOE and your hiring district. This typically involves submitting fingerprint cards to the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation.

Step 3: Suicide Awareness and Prevention Training

All applicants must complete an approved suicide awareness and prevention training before certification. The SD Department of Education maintains a list of approved programs on the SD Suicide Prevention webpage. Most approved trainings can be completed online in a few hours.

Step 4: Examination Requirements

The exam requirement applies only to Option B applicants (master’s in counseling, not school counseling). If that’s your path, you’ll take the Praxis School Counselor Assessment (ETS Test Code 5422). The passing score in South Dakota is 159 — verify the current requirement with ETS and the SD DOE before registering. To register or find preparation materials, visit the Praxis website.

Know the Costs

Getting certified in South Dakota involves a few fees worth planning for. Option B applicants should budget approximately $130 for the Praxis 5422 exam. All applicants pay a $60 initial application fee (subject to change), payable online through the SD Educator Certification Portal or by check to the Department of Education.

Step 5: Application Materials Checklist

• Completed profile and application through the SD Educator Certification Portal
• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, including transfer credits that led to your earned degree
• Proof of qualifying score on the Praxis 5422 (Option B applicants only)
• Proof of completion of Suicide Awareness and Prevention training. For a list of approved programs, visit this webpage
• $60 initial application fee (subject to change)

Step 6: Submit Your Application

Submit your application online through the SD Educator Certification Portal. Official transcripts must be sent directly by your university to:

If you need help with your application, contact the SD Department of Education at (605) 773-3134 or email.

South Dakota School Counselor Certification Renewal

Your school counselor credential renews every five years and can be renewed any time after January 1 of your expiration year. Renewal is completed online through the SD Educator Certification Portal.

Required materials for renewal:

• Proof of completion of Suicide Awareness and Prevention training. For a list of approved programs, visit the SD DOE website
• Completion of six education-related credits (verify acceptable formats with SD DOE), earned through one or more of the following: transcripted college or university credits, specialized learning experience hours, or continuing education contact hours. For detailed requirements
• $60 renewal application fee (subject to change)

For questions about renewal, call the SD Department of Education at (605) 773-3134.

South Dakota School Counselor Certification Through Reciprocity

If you hold a school counseling credential from another state, South Dakota will evaluate your out-of-state certificate toward initial SD certification. You’ll need to meet SD-specific requirements regardless of what your home state requires — including the Indian studies course described below.

Required materials for reciprocity:

• Completed profile and application through the SD Educator Certification Portal
• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, including transfer credits that led to your earned degree
• Proof of qualifying score on the Praxis 5422 (if applicable)
• Proof of completion of Suicide Awareness and Prevention training. For a list of approved programs, visit this webpage
• Proof of completion of an approved 3-credit South Dakota Indian studies course. For a list of approved courses, view this webpage
• $60 initial application fee (subject to change)

A note on the Indian studies requirement: South Dakota law requires all new educators and out-of-state applicants to complete a 3-credit South Dakota Indian studies course from an approved institution (effective July 1, 2025 — verify current requirement with SD DOE). If you haven’t completed the course yet, SD offers a provisional certificate while you work toward it — typically renewable once (confirm current policy with SD DOE).

For full details on reciprocity requirements, review the SD Reciprocity PDF. Questions? Contact the SD DOE at (605) 773-3134 or email.

South Dakota School Counseling Certification Resources

For continuing education and professional development, these organizations offer resources relevant to South Dakota school counselors:

• South Dakota School Counseling Association
• South Dakota Counseling Association
• American School Counselor Association
• National Board for Certified Counselors

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to take the Praxis exam to become a school counselor in South Dakota?

It depends on your degree. If you completed an approved school counseling preparation program, you may not need to take the Praxis exam, depending on program approval — confirm with the SD DOE before assuming you’re exempt. If your master’s is in general counseling rather than school counseling, you’ll likely need to pass the Praxis 5422 with a score of 159 or higher (verify current requirement with ETS/SD DOE).

What is the Praxis passing score for South Dakota school counselor certification?

South Dakota requires a passing score of 159 on the Praxis School Counselor Assessment (ETS Test Code 5422) — verify the current requirement with ETS and the SD DOE. An older version of the exam (Test Code 5421) was previously accepted with a passing score of 164. The 5422 is the current exam. Confirm acceptance of older scores with the SD DOE if this applies to your situation.

What does the mentorship requirement involve?

If you’re certifying through the general counseling master’s pathway, you may be required to complete a supervised mentorship year depending on your pathway. The year typically involves regular supervisory contact, documentation of your counseling work, and a sign-off from your mentor at the end. Your mentor must hold an active SD school counselor certificate with at least three years of experience and will submit a separate endorsement form through the SD DOE. Start identifying a potential mentor before your final semester — the process takes planning.

What is the South Dakota Indian studies course requirement for reciprocity?

Out-of-state applicants must complete a 3-credit South Dakota Indian studies course from an institution on the SD DOE’s approved list (effective July 1, 2025 — verify current requirement with SD DOE). If you haven’t completed the course yet, you can apply for a provisional certificate while you work on it. That provisional certificate is typically renewable once — confirm current policy with the SD DOE.

How do I renew my South Dakota school counselor certification?

Your certification renews every five years. You can start the renewal process any time after January 1 of your expiration year. You’ll need to complete six education-related credits (verify acceptable formats with SD DOE), complete a current suicide prevention training, and pay a $60 renewal fee (subject to change). Everything is submitted through the SD Educator Certification Portal.

Dr. Lauren Davis, Ed.D.

Dr. Lauren Davis is the editor in chief of School-Counselor.org with over 15 years of experience in K-12 school counseling. She holds an Ed.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision and is a National Certified Counselor (NCC). Her work focuses on helping prospective school counselors navigate degree programs, state licensing requirements, and the realities of the profession.

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