Mission Statement
The mission of the South Dakota Board of Massage Therapy is to protect the health and safety of the public by licensure of qualified persons and enforcement of the statutes, rules, and regulations governing the practice of Massage Therapy, including processing and investigating properly filed complaints and holding hearings as warranted.
Mandatory Practice Statute
Since July 1, 2005 South Dakota has required a state license to practice massage therapy. The “grandfathering” opportunity did NOT allow for massage therapists to practice without a license until July 1, 2008. Grandfathering only allowed the option of receiving a license without taking a national examination and with the minimum of training, until July 1, 2008. (Do not confuse or equate any type of “certification” you have as a State license.)
A SD license is still mandatory to practice massage therapy, and as of July 1, 2008 a national examination is required along with 500 hours of specific training. Check Licensing for complete details and the application.
Practicing or advertising as a massage therapist without a South Dakota State license is a Class I Misdemeanor and carries a $1,000 civil penalty.
36-35-10. Practice of massage or representation as in practice without license--Misdemeanor- -Civil penalty--Injunction. Any person who engages in the practice of massage or holds himself or herself out to the public as engaged in the practice of massage without a license pursuant to this chapter is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor and upon conviction the court shall assess a civil penalty of one thousand dollars payable to the board. The state or the board may file a civil action to enjoin any person engaging in the practice of massage without a license.
36-35-11. Advertisement of services to public without license--Misdemeanor--Civil penalty-- Injunction. Any person who advertises services to the public as a massage therapist, bodywork therapist, masseur, masseuse, massagist, or any derivation or abbreviation of those terms or any other term commonly recognized to mean the practice of massage therapy while not licensed under this chapter is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. Upon conviction the court shall assess a civil penalty of one thousand dollars payable to the board. The state or the board may file a civil action to enjoin any person from violating this section
Board Members
SDCL 36-35-2: The Board is legislated to have 5 board members appointed by the Governor. One member shall be a person not licensed by the board and four shall be licensed by the board. Currently serving are:
Laura Woitte, LMT, Sioux Falls - President
Tom Charron, LMT, Rapid City - Vice President
Jeff Holcomb, Sioux Falls - Secretary
Gail Dawn, LMT, Letcher
Rebecca Dykema, LMT, Aberdeen
News
Please be aware that massage therapy license renewals are due 30 days prior to the license expiration date. Please go to License Renewal for more information.
Notice to Cease Taking "Grandfathered" Applications This is notification that no license applied for under the "grandfathering" requirements can be issued after June 30, 2008. Therefore, the office will discontinue accepting applications received after Friday, June 20, 2008 to allow time for reviewing and processing. It is the applicant's responsibility to have their application completed correctly, including the required documents, and mailed in plenty of time if they wish to be considered for licensure.
