§ 27A-1-3 — Qualified mental health professionals.

As used in this title, the term, qualified mental health professional, means a physician licensed pursuant to chapter 36-4 or a member of one of the professions listed as follows who is in good standing with any relevant licensing or certification boards: (1) A psychologist who is licensed to practice psychology in South Dakota; (2) An advanced practice nurse with at least a master's degree from an accredited education program and either two years or one thousand hours of clinical experience that includes mental health evaluation and treatment; (3) A certified social worker with a master's degree from an accredited training program and two years of supervised clinical experience in a mental health setting; (4) A person who has a master's degree in psychology from an accredited program and two years of supervised clinical mental health experience and who meets the provision of subdivision 36-27A-2(2); (5) A counselor who is certified under chapter 36-32 as a licensed professional counselor--mental health; (6) A counselor who is certified under chapter 36-32 as a licensed professional counselor and has two years of supervised clinical experience in a mental health setting and who is employed by the State of South Dakota or a mental health center; (7) A therapist who is licensed under chapter 36-33 as a marriage and family therapist with two years of supervised clinical experience in a mental health setting; (8) A physician assistant who is licensed under chapter 36-4A and either two years or one thousand hours of clinical experience that includes mental health evaluation and treatment; or (9) A professional as listed in subdivisions (1) to (8), inclusive, who is employed by the federal government and currently licensed in that profession in another state, in good standing with the licensing board, and acting within the scope of the professional's license. Except as provided in subdivision (9) and § 36-4-20 , each qualified mental health professional shall meet all licensing and certification requirements promulgated by the State of South Dakota for persons engaged in private practice of the same profession in South Dakota. However, the private practice licensure requirements for persons referred to in subdivisions (3) and (6) do not apply to those employed by the State of South Dakota, mental health centers, or organizations that have a formal clinical supervision arrangement by an employed person who is licensed at the private practice level.

Legislative History

SL 1975, ch 181, §§ 1 (9), 30; SDCL Supp, §§ 27-1-1.1 (9), 27-1-3.1; SL 1978, ch 193, § 1; SL 1987, ch 198, § 1; SL 1991, ch 220, § 3; SL 1994, ch 222, §§ 1, 2; SL 1995, ch 226, § 5; SL 2003, ch 151, § 1; SL 2003, ch 152, § 1; SL 2011, ch 1 (Ex. Ord.