A person seeking licensure to practice physical therapy in this state shall:

1. (1) File an application with the State Board of Physical Therapy;
2. (2) Submit an application fee in an amount established by the board, in rule pursuant to chapter 1-26, but not exceeding three hundred dollars;
3. (3) Present evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant is of good moral, ethical, and professional character;

4. (4) Present evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant has graduated from a physical therapy program accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education or by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation, or present evidence satisfactory to the board that:

   1. (a) The applicant completed a course of professional instruction equivalent to a program accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education or the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation; and
   2. (b) The applicant has passed an English proficiency examination approved by the board, or completed two years of secondary or postsecondary education in any educational institution in which the instruction is conducted in English; and
5. (5) Pass a national examination recognized by the board, with a grade acceptable to the board.

Source: SL 1955, ch 96 , § 3; SDC Supp 1960, § 27.09A03; SDCL § 36-10-4; SL 1972, ch 205 , § 2; SL 1988, ch 300 , § 1; SL 1996, ch 231 , § 5; SL 2017, ch 173 , § 4; SL 2023, ch 136 , § 11; SL 2025, ch 152 , § 1.