modify provisions related to the licensure of public accountants.
Sponsored By: Schoenfish, Kyle (Republican), Weisgram, Mike (Republican)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
Nonresident accountants can practice without fees
Qualifying nonresident certified public accountants can serve South Dakota clients without a South Dakota certificate, firm permit, notice, or fee. Their main business location must remain outside South Dakota, and they must hold a valid state license and pass the uniform exam. An accounting bachelor's degree or board-approved equivalent requires two years of experience, or one year plus 30 extra semester credits. A qualifying graduate accounting degree requires one year of experience. Nonresidents who lawfully exercised South Dakota practice privileges on or before December 31, 2024, can keep them under the transition rule. They must retain a valid state license and an out-of-state main business location. These practitioners remain subject to South Dakota's disciplinary authority.
Foreign-credentialed accountants gain access with reporting
Accountants with comparable foreign credentials have a route to a South Dakota certificate. Their credential must be current, issued by an accounting regulator, and from a jurisdiction offering comparable recognition to South Dakota accountants. Applicants must meet comparable education and experience standards and applicable exams, including South Dakota law, rules, and ethics. The experience rules include four years of professional work in South Dakota within the prior ten years, or a board-approved equivalent. Applicants must list every jurisdiction where they have applied for or hold an accounting credential. Certificate holders must report credential issuance, denial, revocation, suspension, or the start of disciplinary or enforcement action in writing within 30 days.
New education paths for aspiring accountants
South Dakota sets several education and experience paths for certified public accountant licensing. Exam applicants need an accredited degree with an accounting concentration or board-approved equivalent, earned within 100 days after the exam. Graduate accounting degree holders need one year of experience. Bachelor's degree holders need two years, or one year plus 30 semester credits beyond the bachelor's degree. Experience can include accounting, audit, advisory, tax, or consulting work in public practice, industry, government, or academia. A licensee must verify it, and it must meet board rules. Holders of valid South Dakota certificates issued before July 1, 2002, already meet the experience requirement.
Out-of-state accountants gain access with requirements
Accountants with another state's credential can obtain a South Dakota certificate through the law's recognition process. Their exam grades must meet South Dakota's passing standard at the time. They need four years of qualifying post-exam experience within the prior ten years, or a board-approved equivalent. Applicants whose other-state credential is more than four years old must also meet applicable continuing education requirements. Before moving their main business location to South Dakota, out-of-state licensees must request a South Dakota certificate. The board must issue it when the other state's board verifies qualifications that South Dakota finds comparable.
Accountants and firms get fee caps
The South Dakota Board of Accountancy sets fees by rule, subject to legal caps rather than fixed charges. Certificate issuance or renewal and non-practicing registration or renewal each have a $100 cap; exam sections have a $450 cap. Specified initial and late firm-permit fees are capped at $100 per owner plus $100 per firm. Peer-review administration has a $125 cap, with an extra $75 for a late form and up to $100 for late documentation. Replacement certificates or permits have a $50 cap, and late certificate issuance has a $100 cap. The law also caps listed application, renewal, reissue, and disciplinary-change fees. The board must adopt peer-review rules and can set rules for continuing education, professional conduct, registration categories, investigations, and enforcement.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Schoenfish, Kyle
Republican • Senate
Weisgram, Mike
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Arlint, Amber
Republican • House
Bahmuller, Jessica
Republican • House
Duffy, Steve
Republican • House
Emery, Eric
Democratic • House
Fitzgerald, Mary J.
Republican • House
Goodwin, Tim
Republican • House
Healy, Erin
Democratic • House
Hulse, Amber
Republican • Senate
Massie, Curt
Republican • House
Moore, Scott
Republican • House
Muckey, Erik
Democratic • House
Perry, Carl
Republican • Senate
Peterson, Drew
Republican • House
Uhre-Balk, Nicole
Democratic • House
Vilhauer, Glen
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
Signed by the Governor
3/2/2026HouseDelivered to the Governor
2/23/2026HouseSigned by the President
2/20/2026SenateSigned by the Speaker
2/19/2026HouseSenate Do Pass, Passed, YEAS 34, NAYS 0
2/18/2026SenateCertified uncontested, placed on consent
2/17/2026SenateSenate Commerce and Energy Do Pass, Passed, YEAS 7, NAYS 0
2/17/2026SenateScheduled for hearing
2/17/2026SenateFirst read in Senate and referred to Senate Commerce and Energy
1/27/2026SenateHouse of Representatives Do Pass, Passed, YEAS 67, NAYS 0
1/26/2026HouseHouse of Representatives Deferred to another day, Passed
1/23/2026HouseHouse of Representatives Deferred to another day, Passed
1/22/2026HouseHouse Commerce and Energy Do Pass, Passed, YEAS 13, NAYS 0
1/21/2026HouseScheduled for hearing
1/21/2026HouseFirst read in House and referred to House Commerce and Energy
1/13/2026House
Bill Text
Introduced
1/7/2026
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