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South DakotaSB 110100th South Dakota Legislature (2025)Senate

revise licensure and supervision requirements for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants.

Sponsored By: Davis, Sydney (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Health CareLicensureProfessions and Occupations

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

More licensing paths for physical therapy workers

South Dakota allows physical therapists and physical therapist assistants to qualify for licenses through equivalent training instead of accredited programs. The equivalent-training path also requires an approved English test or two years of secondary or postsecondary schooling taught in English. The accredited-program path requires accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation. Applicants must apply to the State Board of Physical Therapy and pay a board-set application fee capped at $300. They must show good moral, ethical, and professional character and pass a national exam recognized by the board. The board must issue licenses to applicants who meet the law’s and board’s licensing requirements.

Physical therapists face supervision limits and duties

South Dakota limits each physical therapist to supervising the equivalent of two full-time physical therapist assistants at once. A therapist may transfer an assistant’s supervision to another physical therapist. Before assigning patient care to an assistant, the supervising therapist must fully assess the patient and set a care plan. The therapist must attend at least every tenth patient visit or one visit every 30 calendar days, whichever comes sooner. Live two-way video counts; at each required visit, the therapist must reassess the patient, review the plan, and adjust or end care as appropriate. At other visits, the therapist must be immediately available for consultation and direction, in person or through telecommunications.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Davis, Sydney

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Schaefbauer, Brandei

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 121 • No: 1

House vote • 3/3/2025

Do Pass Amended

Yes: 68 • No: 1

House vote • 2/27/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 12 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/12/2025

Do Pass Amended

Yes: 35 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/10/2025

Do Pass Amended

Yes: 6 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor

    3/13/2025Senate

  2. Delivered to the Governor

    3/6/2025Senate

  3. Signed by the Speaker

    3/5/2025House

  4. Signed by the President

    3/4/2025Senate

  5. House of Representatives Do Pass Amended, Passed, YEAS 68, NAYS 1

    3/3/2025House

  6. Certified uncontested, placed on consent

    2/27/2025House

  7. House Health and Human Services Do Pass, Passed, YEAS 12, NAYS 0

    2/27/2025House

  8. Scheduled for hearing

    2/27/2025House

  9. First read in House and referred to House Health and Human Services

    2/13/2025House

  10. Senate Do Pass Amended, Passed, YEAS 35, NAYS 0

    2/12/2025Senate

  11. Certified uncontested, placed on consent

    2/10/2025Senate

  12. Senate Health and Human Services Do Pass Amended, Passed, YEAS 6, NAYS 0

    2/10/2025Senate

  13. Senate Health and Human Services Motion to amend, Passed

    2/10/2025Senate

  14. Scheduled for hearing

    2/10/2025Senate

  15. First read in Senate and referred to Senate Health and Human Services

    1/28/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Introduced

    1/27/2025

    PDF

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