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South Dakota State Board of Technical Professions
Mark Humphreys
2040 W. Main Street, Suite 304
Rapid City, SD 57702-2447
605-394-2510
605-394-2509 FAX
mark.humphreys@state.sd.us

Note: The general information shown below is intended for the benefit of AIA members.
For verification of a specific state’s mandatory continuing education (MCE) requirement, please contact the state licensing board directly.

Proof of Compliance
All licensed persons will be required to submit a list of activities they attended and sign a statement that they have met this requirement before renewing. If the licensee is audited, they will be asked to submit proof of attendance at these activities
The board may select a random number of forms to audit for compliance. Each licensee selected for audit must respond with detailed information and documentation about the PDH activities claimed. The board may also audit based on complaints or charges against a licensee. Audits can be made for three years after renewal is submitted to insure compliance with requirements. If selected for audit, you will be contacted to provide necessary documentation.

Record keeping is the responsibility of the licensee. Adequate records must be maintained for a minimum of three years for auditing purposes. The licensee shall maintain records to support professional development credits claimed. These records must be maintained for 2 years after the date of renewal. The board may request copies for audit verification purposes. A licensee shall keep the following records:

•  A log showing the type of activity claimed, sponsoring organization, location, duration, instructor’s or speaker’s name, and PDH credits earned. This permits the proper completion of PDH activities at renewal time. Specific information on each activity is required. Simply stating "attending education activities at ABC Company" is not acceptable.
• Attendance verification records in the form of certificates or other documents supporting evidence of attendance. All activities of over an hour should have verification. On occasion, short activities such as a meeting with a 30-minute speaker may not provide verification such as a certificate. This should be an unlikely exception. The general rule is that the licensee must have sufficient verification for credits claimed.
• Records as maintained by a professional registry, such as the Professional Development Registry for Engineers and Surveyors (PDRES), the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Board (CLARB), or the American Institute of Architects (AIA). Participants can furnish information to the registry and have those courses recorded and stored on their behalf. Often there are fees associated with the recording and for receiving a summary form. Records maintained by such a registry does not necessarily mean approval of these courses by the board.

Renewal applications require the completion of a PDH log outlining PDH credit claimed. The licensee must supply sufficient detail on the form to permit audit verification, sign the certification, and submit it with the renewal fee.

Non-Compliance Penalties
If renewal is not received in this office by the expiration date, the individual or business may not practice, offer to practice or use any title to imply licensure.  If the audit indicates a failure to comply with professional development requirements, the licensee has 90 calendar days after receipt of written notice to further reinforce the claim of PDH credits or to acquire sufficient PDH credit to meet the requirements. The board may take into consideration hardship or extenuating circumstances in allowing correction of deficiencies, but the deadline may not be extended more than 1 year.

Exceptions and Exemptions
A licensee may be exempt from the professional development educational requirements for one of the following reasons:

• A licensee serving on temporary active duty in the armed forces of the United States for more than 120 consecutive days a year is exempt from obtaining the professional development hours required during that year. Supporting documentation must be furnished to the board;
• Licensees experiencing physical disability, illness, or other extenuating circumstances as reviewed and approved by the board may be exempt. Supporting documentation must be furnished to the board;
• Licensees who are retired and no longer receiving any remuneration for providing professional services are exempt from the requirements for professional development hours.

Calendar of Events for AIA South Dakota