An applicant for a license as a marriage and family therapist shall file an application, in the manner prescribed by the board, together with the application fee prescribed by the board in accordance with § 36-33-70. The board shall issue a license as a marriage and family therapist to an applicant who pays the license fee and demonstrates that:

(1) The applicant has received a master’s or a doctoral degree, consisting of at least forty-eight credit hours in marriage and family therapy, from an accredited marriage and family therapy program recognized by the board, or an equivalent course of study approved by the board;

Terms Used In South Dakota Codified Laws 36-33-43

  • Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.

(2) The applicant has passed a standardized national examination approved by the board;

(3) Within the four-year period preceding the application, the applicant completed one thousand seven hundred hours of supervised experience in marriage and family therapy under a plan of supervision approved by the board subsequent to the applicant receiving an acceptable degree;

(4) The applicant has no pending disciplinary proceeding or unresolved disciplinary complaint;

(5) The applicant is of good moral character; and

(6) The applicant is not in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter or any rules promulgated under this chapter.

The board may refuse to issue a license to an applicant who fails to meet the requirements of this section.

Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (3), the board may grant a license to an applicant who does not complete the required postgraduate supervision within four years of the application upon the applicant’s show of good cause for exceeding the time limit.

Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (5), the board may grant a license to an applicant who has been convicted of or pled guilty to a felony, to any crime involving or relating to the practice of counseling, or to any crime involving dishonesty or moral turpitude if the board determines that the applicant does not constitute a risk to public safety. An applicant may appeal the denial of a license in accordance with chapter 1-26 .

Source: SL 2020, ch 166, § 10.

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