How to Become a BCBA in South Dakota: Licensure Guide (2025-26)
BCBA licensure demand has shot up by nearly 2,000% in the last decade.
South Dakota desperately needs qualified Behavior Analyst professionals, which creates amazing opportunities for new entrants in the field. The diagnosis rate of 1 in 54 children with autism spectrum disorder means trained BCBAs are needed faster than ever.
Getting certified as a behavior analyst takes serious work. The Board Certified Behavior Analyst exam’s pass rate in South Dakota sits at about 60%, which shows why good preparation matters. You’ll need to finish specific education requirements – a master’s degree in behavior analysis or related field and at least 1,500 hours of supervised fieldwork.
South Dakota’s BCBA licensure requirements gained more importance after the state’s 2014 codified law 58-17-157. This law requires insurance to cover Applied Behavior Analysis treatment for autism spectrum disorders. The legislation helped accelerate the need for qualified professionals.
This guide walks you through each step to become a BCBA in South Dakota. We cover everything from education prerequisites to certification requirements, career opportunities, and what you can expect to earn. Let’s begin your journey into this rewarding profession!
Education Requirements for South Dakota BCBAs
Getting your Board Certified Behavior Analyst certification in South Dakota starts with a solid education. Let’s explore deeply into the specific educational requirements you need beyond the simple overview we covered earlier.
You’ll need to get a master’s degree or higher from an accredited institution to qualify for BCBA licensure in South Dakota. Your degree should be in behavior analysis, psychology, or a related field that matches the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) standards.
The program you choose needs coursework that meets specific BACB requirements. It should cover everything in ethics, assessment, and intervention strategies. Your program must also have a Verified Course Sequence (VCS) approved by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI). This approval will give a clear sign that your curriculum meets professional certification standards.
Several programs in South Dakota can help you meet these requirements. The University of South Dakota (USD) has a detailed Master of Science in Health Science program with a focus on Applied Behavior Analysis. Students need 30 credit hours to graduate. The program runs mostly online, with just one hybrid course that lets you get hands-on experience at their Sioux Falls location. Seven ABA courses run one after another, each taking a semester, adding up to 21 graduate credits. You can finish the rest through a practicum, capstone project, and elective courses.
Augustana University’s Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis might work better for you. Their 5-semester, 18-month online program has eight ABA content courses and supervised fieldwork. This setup works really well for students already working in behavioral settings.
Your next step after coursework is getting supervised fieldwork hours. The BACB wants you to complete either 1,500 hours of Concentrated Supervised Fieldwork or 2,000 hours of standard Supervised Fieldwork. Concentrated Supervised Fieldwork needs 10% direct supervision, while standard Supervised Fieldwork needs 5%.
Many ABA master’s programs in South Dakota have dropped their GRE requirements. This change helps professionals advance their careers without taking standardized tests. Programs now review applicants based on their grades, work experience, and potential field contributions.
South Dakota’s legislation offers two main paths to qualification:
- Hold a master’s or doctoral degree, or
- Hold current certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst from the BACB
Both paths lead to BCBA licensure eligibility in South Dakota. You can choose the one that fits your career background best.
The BCBA certification exam comes last. Pass this test and you can apply for your state license.
Getting Your Licensure and Credentials
Getting your certification and licensure to practice as a BCBA in South Dakota comes right after you complete your education requirements. South Dakota takes a different approach from other states to regulate behavior analysts.
South Dakota passed legislation (HB 1141) in early 2016 that requires applied behavior analysts to have a license. This 7-year old legislation created an Applied Behavior Analyst Advisory Committee with three members. These members recommend to the South Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners, which ended up overseeing behavior analyst licensing.
You need to meet the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) requirements to get certified. The BACB takes applications from people who live in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia. Your path to certification depends on your educational background:
- Hold a master’s degree from an APBA-accredited program or an ABAI-accredited behavior analysis program (Tier 1, 2a, or 2b) and complete supervised fieldwork
- Hold an acceptable graduate degree with behavior-analytic coursework and supervised fieldwork
The supervised fieldwork part isn’t optional. You can pick between two options:
- Supervised Fieldwork: Requires 2,000 total hours
- Concentrated Supervised Fieldwork: Requires 1,500 total hours
Your supervisor should be an active BCBA who has been certified for at least one year. They must have no disciplinary sanctions and meet ongoing supervision CEU requirements.
The next step is passing the BCBA examination after meeting these requirements. This test has 170 multiple-choice questions that check your knowledge of behavior analysis principles and applications. Many new BCBAs say mock exams, textbooks, study groups, and mobile apps help them prepare well.
The South Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners handles your licensure application once you pass the exam. You’ll need to submit:
- A completed application form
- Proof of BCBA certification
- Application fee of $300
- Annual licensing fee of $350
Your first license costs $650 in total. Each year after that, you’ll pay $300 to renew your license.
You must complete continuing education to keep both your BCBA certification and state license valid. The BACB needs 32 continuing education units (CEUs) every two years. These hours must include ethics training, and you should document them when renewing your certification.
BCBAs moving to South Dakota from another state will find the process simple. Make sure your BACB certification is current and in good standing. Then register with the South Dakota Department of Social Services if you plan to provide Medicaid-funded services.
South Dakota’s licensing regulations for behavior analysts are still relatively new. Keep checking the Board of Social Work Examiners website for any requirement updates.
Salaries for BCBAs in South Dakota
Your career as a BCBA in South Dakota needs careful financial planning. Knowing your expected compensation helps you make smart decisions about getting your BCBA license in the state.
Recent Indeed data shows Board Certified Behavior Analysts in South Dakota earn an average of $94,006 annually. This puts South Dakota about 15% above the national average. Different sources show varied figures that range from $69,972 to $89,075 each year.
A typical BCBA in South Dakota can expect to earn:
- $42.41-$42.82 per hour
- $1,696-$1,712 per week
- $7,350-$7,422 per month[141]
Experience and location create big differences in salary ranges. New BCBAs start around $66,790 (25th percentile). Experienced professionals at the top end (90th percentile) can earn $132,500 or $149,000 in some cases.
Location affects your pay substantially within South Dakota. Here are the highest paying cities for BCBAs:
| City | Annual Salary |
| Brookings | $114,817 |
| Aberdeen | $113,328 |
| Rapid City | $96,726 |
| Sioux Falls | $93,832 |
| Mitchell | $89,975 |
BCBAs with ten years of experience earn impressive salaries. The median for experienced professionals is $101,340 annually. Top performers (10%) can make up to $119,770.
Some new BCBAs earn more than experienced professionals. This shows the value of proper BCBA licensing and smart market positioning.
Your location in South Dakota affects your earning potential. Mitchell pays about 1% above the state average. The difference between highest and lowest paying cities stays small at 5%. This means limited room for geographic salary growth within the state.
South Dakota’s BCBA job market remains “not very active” with limited hiring companies. Some sources rank the state 50th nationwide for BCBA salaries. The lower cost of living might balance this ranking.
Related jobs like Certified Analytics Professional and Senior Master Data Analyst pay better than standard BCBA roles. These positions offer 39% and 11.4% higher salaries respectively.
Your salary growth depends on specialized certifications, advanced education, experience, and expertise in high-demand areas of applied behavior analysis.
Careers in South Dakota
South Dakota’s career landscape for BCBAs offers unique opportunities due to a major professional shortage. The state has only 88 active BCBAs registered, which is nowhere near the numbers in neighboring states like Minnesota (517), Iowa (282), and Nebraska (300). South Dakota’s numbers are lower than states with similar rural profiles – North Dakota (97), Montana (92), and Alaska (89).
This shortage creates excellent job prospects throughout the state. The need for behavior analysts has grown by nearly 2,000% in the last decade. The nationwide demand keeps growing, with a remarkable 58% increase from 2023 to 2024.
BCBAs in South Dakota work in:
- Educational settings (schools and specialized programs)
- Healthcare facilities (hospitals and long-term care)
- Community service organizations
- Private practice clinics
- Residential treatment centers
These professionals help people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, depression, anxiety, learning disorders, and pervasive developmental disorders. They also work with parents, teachers, and caregivers to implement behavioral management strategies.
Sioux Falls and Rapid City offer the most job opportunities, with many healthcare and educational institutions expanding their behavioral health services. LifeScape—a non-profit organization serving Sioux Falls, Rapid City, and Sioux City—helps children and adults with complex needs. Other major employers include Treehouse Nest Therapy Services, Impact Learning & Development, and Catalyst Behavior Solutions.
The University of South Dakota started its Applied Behavior Analysis program in 2021 through a partnership with LifeScape to address the state’s workforce shortage. This program focuses on rural community needs and gives students supervised training opportunities.
The South Dakota Behavior Analyst Network Development (SD BAND) formed to tackle critical shortages of professionals who support individuals with autism and developmental disabilities. SD BAND works to expand BCBA presence in rural communities and integrate behavior analysts into existing healthcare settings.
Getting your BCBA license in South Dakota puts you in a strong position in a market with high demand and little competition. Your BCBA license prepares you for traditional autism-focused roles and opens doors to opportunities in schools, substance abuse programs, and adult services across this underserved state.
Next Steps
South Dakota faces a major shortage of BCBAs, which creates excellent career opportunities in the field. The path needs dedication – you’ll need a master’s degree, supervised fieldwork hours, and must pass the certification exam. These requirements ended up leading to a rewarding profession with great financial benefits.
The state’s licensing process through the Board of Social Work Examiners sets it apart from others. Understanding these requirements is key to success. The financial future looks bright, with average salaries reaching $94,006 annually. Experience and location can push these earnings even higher.
Job prospects keep growing as the need for qualified behavior analysts rises. Schools, healthcare facilities, and private practices just need more professionals. This growth comes mainly from increased services needed by people with autism spectrum disorders and other developmental conditions.
Your choice to get BCBA licensure in South Dakota puts you at the vanguard of filling crucial service gaps in an underserved state. High demand, limited competition, and ongoing projects like the South Dakota Behavior Analyst Network Development create perfect conditions to grow professionally and make a real difference.
Getting licensed as a BCBA takes dedication and persistence. In spite of that, the mix of career satisfaction, competitive pay, and the chance to change people’s lives makes this career worth exploring. This piece gives you a clear path to guide your success as a behavior analyst in South Dakota.
The field of behavior analysis keeps evolving faster in South Dakota. BCBAs face unique challenges and advantages in this rural state. Your certification experience needs strong professional connections to succeed. The South Dakota Association for Behavior Analysis (SDABA) gives you networking opportunities, continuing education events, and advocates for the profession across the state.
Mentorship plays a key role in professional growth beyond formal requirements. Many practicing BCBAs in South Dakota help aspiring professionals through mentorship programs. These relationships are a great way to get insights, especially given the state’s small BCBA community.
Several resources can help you with your BCBA licensure:
- The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) website provides complete examination preparation materials
- University of South Dakota and Augustana University’s academic advisors specialize in behavior analysis
- LifeScape arranges practicum opportunities that meet BCBA licensure requirements
South Dakota’s rural setting creates distinct challenges and opportunities. You’ll find fewer large institutional employers, but this opens doors for entrepreneurial ventures in underserved areas.
Getting your certification is just the start. Continuing education helps you grow professionally. Your choice to become a BCBA meets critical needs in South Dakota. This is a big deal as it means that the demand is nowhere near the supply. You’ll have real chances to affect South Dakota residents’ lives who need behavior analytic services.