South Dakota Board of Massage Therapy

The mission of the South Dakota Board of Massage Therapy is to protect the health and safety of the public by mandatory 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 South Dakota license is 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:

Rebecca Dykema, LMT, Aberdeen - President

Twyla Fritz, LMT, Black Hawk

Karen Kappel , LMT, Dell Rapids

Laura Woitte, LMT, Sioux Falls

Linda Zeller, Pierre

News

Public Rules Hearing - February 15, 12:45 p.m. - Caille Branch Library, Sioux Falls - Draft rules ARSD 20:76

Grandfathering Provision: Amended legislation allows for those who were previously issued a license per the grandfathering opportunity and let that license expire/lapse, an option to re-apply per the new provision. This option is only available until June 30, 2012. (This licensing option is not available to persons who have never held a license.) Go to “Licensing” and select the “License Application by Provision” near the bottom of that page.
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.

Continuing Education - Effective October 14, 2008, the Board accepts continuing education pre-approved by NCBTMB and AMMA, and/or education that meets the definition of massage therapy as stated in SDCL 36-35-1(2). Therefore, compliant CE must fall within these parameters:

(2)      "Massage," the systematic mobilization of the soft tissues of the body through the application of hands or devices for the purposes of therapy, relaxation, or education through means which include:
(a)      Pressure, friction, stroking, rocking, kneading, percussion, compression, or stretching;
(b)      External application of water, heat, cold, lubricants, or other topical agents; or
(c)      The use of devices that mimic or enhance actions done by hands;
(3)      "Practice of massage therapy," the performance of massage for a fee or other compensation or holding oneself out to the public as performing massage.