50-State Architecture Licensing Compliance Guide
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South Dakota Architecture Industry Licensing

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Licensing requirements for architecture industry firms and individuals in South Dakota.

This page provides an overview of architecture industry licensing in South Dakota for individuals and firms. You will find state requirements, application fees, filing instructions, and more. For assistance with licensing, please contact us to learn about our software and managed license services.

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Company Licenses

South Dakota Architecture Company Licenses

South Dakota Certificate of Authorization

Agency:South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation: Board of Technical Professions
Law:

SD CL § 36-18A-48

Eligible Entity Types:
  • Business Corporations
  • Limited Liability Companies
  • Partnerships
  • Limited Liability Partnerships
Ownership Requirements:

Business Corporations:

  • Officers and directors need not be licensed, but the corporation must appoint a South Dakota licensed individual to be responsible for all professional activities undertaken by the firm in South Dakota.

Limited Liability Companies:

  • Members and managers need not be licensed, but the LLC must appoint a South Dakota licensed individual to be responsible for all professional activities undertaken by the firm in South Dakota.

Partnerships:

  • Partners need not be licensed, but the partnership must appoint a South Dakota licensed individual to be responsible for all professional activities undertaken by the firm in South Dakota.

Limited Liability Partnerships:

  • Partners need not be licensed, but the partnership must appoint a South Dakota licensed individual to be responsible for all professional activities undertaken by the firm in South Dakota.

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$100

Turnaround:

Temporary certification granted immediately upon receipt by mail, approved or nullified fully pending board review.

Original Ink:Not required
Notarization Required?:Not required
Before you Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  • Identify a South Dakota licensed professional to act as the individual in responsible charge of the firm's professional activities in South Dakota for each professional service performed by the firm.

Foreign Applicants:

  • Identify a South Dakota licensed professional to act as the individual in responsible charge of the firm's professional activities in South Dakota for each professional service performed by the firm.
  • Obtain a certificate of good standing from your business entity's home state (to be filed during the foreign qualification process). The certificate cannot be more than 90 days old when filing foreign qualification documents.
How to Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  1. File entity formation documents with the South Dakota Secretary of State.
  2. Create an online account and file a firm license application through the Department of Labor and Regulation: Board of Technical Professions.

Foreign Applicants:

  1. File foreign qualification documents with the South Dakota Secretary of State.
  2. Create an online account and file a firm license application through the Department of Labor and Regulation: Board of Technical Professions.
Required Attachments:
  • List of all South Dakota-licensed professionals employed by the entity (including license numbers)

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$80

Due:

Biennially by the date of issuance.

Notes:

Renewal reminders are emailed to license holders roughly 1 month prior to the expiration date.

Amendment

Form:

South Dakota Board of Technical Professionals Change of Address

Agency Fee:

$0

Due:

File within 30 days of the effective date of the change.

Notes:

Notify the board in writing with any changes. Address changes can be reported online.

Reinstatement

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$180

Notes:

Licenses expired for 3 or more years cannot be reinstated and the licensee must apply for a new license.

South Dakota Interior Design Firm License

Not required



Interior Design Firm licensure is not required on the State level in South Dakota.

South Dakota does not currently license or register interior design businesses.

Individual Licenses

South Dakota Individual Architecture Licenses

South Dakota Architect License

Agency:South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation: Board of Technical Professions
Exam Required?Yes

Initial Registration

This section applies to architects that are applying for a license in South Dakota for the first time.

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$100 application fee. No exam fee (Direct Registration).

Reciprocal Registration

This section applies to architects licensed in another state that are looking for reciprocal licensure in South Dakota.

Instructions:

Comity/Reciprocity Application
The Comity/Reciprocity Application can be completed online once you are registered to use the system. If you are not already a registered use, register in the online system now. 

Comity References
A Council Record with Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Board (CLARB), National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), or National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) being submitted to the Board is acceptable for submission of references.

If you do not hold a Council Record, a Comity Reference Form (Adobe PDF) must be completed by your references and submitted to the Board.

Any licensee who offers and provides these professional services on projects located in South Dakota must be included under a business certificate of authorization, unless said licensee is employed by an exempt entity. To obtain a certificate of authorization, the business entity must employ one or more professionals licensed in South Dakota in the same field of practice.

Due Dates for Comity/Reciprocity Applications
The completed application form, along with all the required supporting documentation, must be received by the Board office by the following deadline for consideration at the respective Board meeting.

Jan. 1 for January Board meeting
March 1 for March Board meeting
May 1 for May Board meeting
July 1 for July Board meeting
Sept. 1 for September Board meeting
Nov. 1 for November Board meeting

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$100

Due:

Due Dates for Comity/Reciprocity Applications

The completed application form, along with all the required supporting documentation, must be received by the Board office by the following deadline for consideration at the respective Board meeting.

Jan. 1 for January Board meeting
March 1 for March Board meeting
May 1 for May Board meeting
July 1 for July Board meeting
Sept. 1 for September Board meeting
Nov. 1 for November Board meeting

Registration Renewal

This section applies to architects that are already licensed in South Dakota and need to renew their license.

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$80

Due:

Biennially by the date of issuance.

South Dakota Interior Designer License

Not required



Interior Designer licensure is not required on the State level in South Dakota.

South Dakota Landscape Architect License

Agency:South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation: Board of Technical Professions

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$100

Reciprocal Registration

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$80

Due:

Biennially by the date of issuance.

Learn about architecture licensing in other states:

ARE (Architect Registration Examination) - Assesses candidates for their knowledge, skills, and ability to provide the various services required to be a practicing architect.

AXP (Architectural Experience Program) - NCARB program for architectural internship, a requirement for licensure that occurs after filling the educational requirements.

BEFA (Broadly Experienced Foreign Architect) - An alternative NCARB certification that allows foreign architects to independently practice architecture.

COA (Certificate of Authorization) - The most common name of the registration required for firms to practice architecture in a given state.

Design Firm - Architectural firm registration is sometimes grouped with engineering and land surveying on a single “design firm” application form.

NCARB Certification - Licensed architects have the option to become Certificate holders to signify that they have met national standards established by U.S. licensing boards for protecting public health, safety, and welfare. Certification also facilitates reciprocal registration in all 54 jurisdictions, 11 Canadian jurisdictions, and can be used to support an application for licensure in other countries.

Reciprocity - This is when a licensed architect in one state can provide documentation (often a NCARB certificate) to more easily apply for licensure in another jurisdiction.

State Board - Often referred to as the State Architects Licensure Board or Board of Architects, an individual state’s board serves as the regulatory authority for architects. The board qualifies and licenses individuals seeking architectural licensure. The board is responsible for preserving the public health, safety, and welfare of individuals who occupy built environments.

National Architecture Accrediting Board
NAAB establishes criteria for and accredits professional architecture degree programs in the United States.

The American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS)
AIAS is an independent, student-run group that promotes excellence in architecture education, training, and practice.

The American Institute of Architects (AIA)
AIA is a voluntary professional organization for architects providing advocacy, information, and community.

The Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA)
ACSA represents architectural education programs across the globe.

The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)
NCARB is the national organization representing the state registration boards.