South Dakota Medical Doctor CME

How many CE hours do South Dakota physicians need?

South Dakota does not require CME for physician or osteopathic physician license renewal. The renewal statute addresses the biennial fee and renewal form without setting a CME-hour requirement ( SDCL § 36-4-35 — Promulgation of Rules by Board ; SDCL § 36-4-24.1 — Renewal of License, Form, Fee ).

MDs and DOs are licensed under the same statutory definition, the same Board, and the same renewal rule — South Dakota law defines "practice of medicine or osteopathy" as one concept covering use of either the "M.D." or "D.O." title ( SDCL § 36-4-9 — Use of Title and Other Acts Constituting Practice of Medicine ) — so the absence of a CE requirement applies equally to both.

Renewal falls every two years, ninety days before each physician's individually assigned license expiration date ( ARSD 20:47:03:13 — Renewal of Licensure, Interstate Medical License Compact ). The biennial renewal fee is capped at $400 ( SDCL § 36-4-24.1 ; ARSD 20:47:06:01 — Fee Amounts ).

Which CE topics are required for South Dakota physicians?

South Dakota has no mandatory CE topic for physician licensure or renewal.

Physicians holding a DEA registration must still complete a one-time 8-hour DEA MATE Training on Opioid or Substance Use Disorder, per the federal MATE Act — a federal requirement tied to the DEA registration itself, not a South Dakota Board mandate ( DEA Diversion Control Division — MATE Act Training FAQ ).

A physician who prescribes, administers, or dispenses controlled substances in South Dakota must also hold a separate state Controlled Substance Registration, a prerequisite to a federal DEA registration; the state registration carries the same 8-hour federal MATE Act attestation forward at renewal, but no independent South Dakota CE-hours requirement of its own ( South Dakota Department of Health — Controlled Substance Registration ).

Do newly licensed South Dakota physicians need CE for their first renewal?

No. South Dakota does not require CE at any renewal, including the first, since it has no continuing medical education requirement for physician licensure.

Does the South Dakota Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners audit CE records?

No. Because South Dakota does not require CE for physician license renewal, the Board has no CE records to audit.

Sources

Last verified: September 23, 2026

• South Dakota Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners

• SDBMOE — Physician License (MD/DO)

• SDCL § 36-4-9 — Use of Title and Other Acts Constituting Practice of Medicine

• SDCL § 36-4-24.1 — Renewal of License, Form, Fee

• SDCL § 36-4-35 — Promulgation of Rules by Board

• ARSD 20:47:03:13 — Renewal of Licensure, Interstate Medical License Compact

• ARSD 20:47:06:01 — Fee Amounts

• South Dakota Department of Health — Controlled Substance Registration

• DEA Diversion Control Division — MATE Act Training FAQ