South Dakota Architect CE Requirements (2026): 30 Hours Every 2 Years
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Requirements Overview
The South Dakota Board of Technical Professions requires 30 professional development hours (PDH) per two-year renewal cycle under ARSD Chapter 20:38:35. At least 20 PDH must be in technical subjects that address the public's health, safety and welfare (HSW) — design, environmental analysis, structural systems, building codes and the like — while no more than 10 PDH may come from professional-management subjects such as ethics, business practice, or quality management.
Architects have an alternative path: instead of the 30-PDH standard, you may satisfy renewal with 12 structured HSW continuing education hours (CEH) per calendar year. The two-year cycle is measured from your initial licensure date.
The Board of Technical Professions covers architects, engineers, land surveyors, and landscape architects, and does not pre-approve courses. PDH are submitted as a certified PDF log; if audited, you must provide supporting documentation within 30 days. Verify current details with the Board.
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical / Health, Safety & Welfare (HSW) subjects | 20 | Every renewal | At least 20 of the 30 PDH must be in technical subjects (design, environmental analysis, structural systems, building codes, and similar HSW subjects). No more than 10 PDH may be in professional-management subjects such as ethics, business practice, or quality management. |
How You Can Complete Your CE
South Dakota CE Rules & Limits
Details specific to South Dakota that generic CE guides tend to miss:
- Standard path: 30 PDH per two-year renewal cycle — at least 20 in technical/HSW subjects and no more than 10 in professional-management subjects (ethics, business practice, quality management).
- Alternative architect path: an architect may instead satisfy renewal with 12 structured Continuing Education Hours (CEH) per calendar year in health, safety and welfare subjects (ARSD 20:38:35:02).
- The Board of Technical Professions covers architects, engineers, land surveyors, and landscape architects; it does not pre-approve courses.
- The renewal cycle is two years measured from the initial licensure date. PDH are submitted as a certified PDF log; audited licensees must provide supporting documentation within 30 days.
Tips for South Dakota Architects
- Decide which path fits you: the 30-PDH-per-biennium standard, or the architect-only alternative of 12 structured HSW hours each calendar year.
- Under the standard path, watch the 10-PDH cap on professional-management topics — at least 20 of your 30 hours must be technical/HSW subjects.
- Your two-year cycle is keyed to your initial licensure date, not a fixed statewide date, so confirm your exact renewal deadline with the Board.
- The Board does not pre-approve courses, so keep your documentation and be ready to submit a certified PDF log at renewal.
- If you are audited, you have 30 days to provide supporting proof — retain certificates for every activity you claim.
Sources
- Cross-checked against the official published rules of the South Dakota Board of Technical Professions
- Each stated figure recorded with its exact source excerpt
- 1 source cited — 1 primary (official board)
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