South Dakota Certified Social Worker – Private Independent Practice (CSW-PIP) Guide - 2024

South Dakota Certified Social Worker – Private Independent Practice (CSW-PIP) Licensure Process

The CSW-PIP is the top level of licensure offered by South Dakota for social workers. The credential allows you to provide clinical and non-clinical services without supervision. CSW-PIPs can open private practices and administer assistance to clients directly without reporting to an agency.

Education Requirements

You need an MSW or DSW to apply for licensure as a CSW-PIP. Your degree must be earned from a CSWE-approved program or university. Here you can find all schools offering social work degree programs in South Dakota.

Experience Requirements

Before you can begin accruing hours to put toward your supervised work experience, a Supervision Contract must be completed and approved by the Board. Once you receive the proper approval, you need to finish two years of full-time experience as a CSW. You can be supervised by a CSW-PIP, psychologist, or psychiatrist. Four hours of supervision are required each month, and two hours are needed if you’re working part-time.

Your supervisor is required to update the Board on your progress at 6, 12, and 18-month intervals with the Evaluation Of Supervision For CSW-PIP Candidate form. Once your two years are completed, a Final Evaluation For CSW-PIP Candidate is submitted by your supervisor to verify you’ve met all required supervision hours.

Background Check

Anyone looking to become a social worker in South Dakota must have a criminal background check performed. There are particular databases the state requires to be checked, and they include:

• Central Registry of Child Abuse and Neglect check
• Sex Offender Registry check
• South Dakota criminal record fingerprint check
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) criminal record fingerprint check
• National Crime Information Center (NCIC) sex offender registry check

To get a more detailed view of what is required to pass the background check, visit the Board’s website.

Examination Requirements

The Board must approve your request to take the ASWB Clinical exam so you can complete the licensure process. Once they do, you can register on the ASWB website and pay the $260 registration fee. To get a good idea of what to expect, take the practice test online after you register. Your knowledge of clinical social work will be tested with 170 multiple-choice questions. The Board will receive your exam scores within two weeks of your test date.

Applying for Licensure as a Certified Social Worker – Private Independent Practice

Just as any other licensure process, this one begins with submitting an application. Download the instructions so you have the checklist on hand, and don’t send an incomplete application packet. Don’t forget to sign and attach the Application For Licensure Cover Letter. The packet should contain:

• Notarized and signed application
• Application for Licensure Cover Letter
• $210 application fee
• Three professional references from different agencies

Contact your school or program to request your official transcript be sent to the Board. All information should be sent to:

Once the Board has this information, they will approve your request to take the ASWB Clinical exam. After passing the test, your scores are transferred to the Board by the ASWB.  After receiving verification that you earned a passing score, a CSW-PIP license is issued to you.