How to Become a Medical Assistant in South Dakota
South Dakota does not require medical assistants to hold a state license or registration. The state repealed its registration requirement in 2021, leaving employers to determine scope of practice. Most South Dakota health systems require or strongly prefer graduates of CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited programs who hold the CMA (AAMA) or RMA (AMT) credential.
South Dakota removed its medical assistant registration requirement on July 1, 2021. Before that date, medical assistants had to register with the Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners and meet specific education and examination requirements. That framework no longer exists. Today, there’s no state license, no state registration, and no single mandated scope of practice. Each employer sets its own standards for who it hires and what duties its medical assistants perform.
That doesn’t mean credentials don’t matter. The state’s largest health systems consistently seek applicants from accredited programs who hold recognized national certifications. Completing a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited program remains the clearest path to both certification eligibility and employment in South Dakota’s competitive healthcare market.
Use the links below to jump to program options, certification details, scope of practice guidance, and salary information for South Dakota medical assistants.
- Accredited medical assistant programs in South Dakota
- Certification and exam options
- Scope of practice
- Salary and job outlook
Accredited Medical Assistant Programs in South Dakota
South Dakota has three CAAHEP-accredited medical assistant programs. Graduating from a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited program is required to sit for the CMA (AAMA) exam and most other national certification exams, making accreditation a practical prerequisite for most employment pathways in the state.
Lake Area Technical College in Watertown offers an Associate of Applied Science in medical assisting. The program is CAAHEP-accredited and includes 240 hours of supervised practicum at a medical facility. The five-year exam passage average for 2020 through 2024 is 86.84%.
Mitchell Technical College in Mitchell offers a CAAHEP-accredited diploma in medical assisting. Accreditation runs through Spring 2034. The program’s five-year job placement average from 2020 through 2024 is 88.10%, with a five-year exam passage rate of 82.50% over the same period.
Southeast Technical College in Sioux Falls offers a CAAHEP-accredited diploma that can be completed in one year. The Sioux Falls location gives graduates direct access to a concentration of health system employers, including Sanford Health and Avera Health.
Diploma and certificate programs typically run 10 to 12 months. Associate degree programs take two years and include general education coursework. Both credential types qualify graduates to sit for national certification exams. Verify current accreditation status with each school before enrolling. Those weighing other entry-level clinical roles in the state may also want to review South Dakota CNA certification requirements alongside their medical assisting research.
Certification and Exam Options
South Dakota no longer maintains a state-approved certification list, but certification remains essential as a practical matter. Most South Dakota health systems and clinics require or strongly prefer certified medical assistants, and the requirements vary by employer.
Graduates of CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited programs can sit for the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) or the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) exam through the American Medical Technologists (AMT). The South Dakota Society of Medical Assistants recognizes both the CMA (AAMA) and RMA (AMT) as the primary national credentials for the profession. Many South Dakota employers specifically look for the CMA (AAMA).
Some employers also accept credentials from other nationally recognized organizations, including the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) from the National HealthCareer Association (NHA), the Clinical Medical Assistant Certification (CMAC) from the American Medical Certification Association (AMCA), and the National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) from the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT). Confirm which credentials your employer accepts before choosing an exam pathway.
All certifications require periodic renewal. The CMA (AAMA) must be renewed every 60 months, either by retaking the exam or by completing 60 hours of continuing education, with a minimum of 30 hours through the AAMA. The RMA through AMT requires recertification every three years through the Certification Continuation Program (CCP).
Scope of Practice in South Dakota
South Dakota no longer enforces a state-mandated scope of practice for medical assistants. Since the registration requirement was repealed in 2021, each facility sets its own guidelines for what its medical assistants can do. What you’re permitted to perform at one employer may differ from another.
South Dakota’s statutes (SDCL 36-9B-2) still define a framework of duties that medical assistants may perform under the direct supervision of a licensed physician. The South Dakota Society of Medical Assistants publishes this statutory framework as a general reference. Duties in that framework include clinical tasks such as taking vital signs, phlebotomy and nonintravenous injections, aseptic procedures, observing and reporting patient signs or symptoms, and assisting with examinations or treatment. It also covers administering medications by unit dosage, collecting routine laboratory specimens, performing basic laboratory procedures, operating office medical equipment, and general administrative duties.
Registered nurses with a valid South Dakota nursing license may also supervise medical assistants in ambulatory or outpatient settings, provided the MA holds CMA (AAMA) or RMA (AMT) certification and the facility permits it.
Medical assistants may not provide services in a licensed hospital unless the hospital has specifically granted those privileges. Supervision requirements apply throughout. Medical assistants work under the direct supervision of a physician, physician assistant, certified nurse practitioner, or certified nurse midwife.
Salary and Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, South Dakota medical assistants earned a mean annual wage of $41,870 as of 2025, or approximately $20.13 per hour. Earnings vary by location within the state.
| Location | Annual Median | Hourly Median |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota (statewide mean) | $41,870 | $20.13 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $43,760 | $21.04 |
| Rapid City, SD | $40,690 | $19.56 |
The 10th percentile in South Dakota was $35,980 annually, and the 90th percentile was $48,960. Nationally, the median annual wage for medical assistants was $44,200 in May 2024, according to the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
The BLS projects 12% employment growth for medical assistants nationally between 2024 and 2034, with approximately 112,300 job openings expected per year over that period. South Dakota’s major health systems, including Sanford Health, Avera Health, Monument Health, and the Community HealthCare Association of the Dakotas, represent the largest pools of medical assistant employment in the state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does South Dakota require medical assistants to be licensed or registered?
No. South Dakota repealed its medical assistant registration requirement on July 1, 2021. Medical assistants in South Dakota do not need a state license or registration to practice. Employers set their own requirements, and most health systems require or prefer applicants with national certification from an accredited program.
What’s the difference between the CMA and RMA credentials?
Both are nationally recognized credentials for medical assistants, but they’re issued by different organizations. The CMA is awarded by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) and requires graduation from a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited program. The RMA is awarded by the American Medical Technologists (AMT) and has multiple pathways to eligibility, including program graduation and qualifying work experience. Many South Dakota employers prefer the CMA (AAMA).
How long does it take to complete a medical assistant program in South Dakota?
Diploma and certificate programs run approximately 10 to 12 months. Associate degree programs take two years and include general education requirements alongside the medical assisting curriculum. Both credential types qualify graduates to sit for national certification exams, so the right choice depends on your timeline and goals.
Do I need to attend an accredited program to work as a medical assistant in South Dakota?
State law no longer requires it, but accreditation matters practically. CAAHEP or ABHES accreditation is required to sit for the CMA (AAMA) exam, and most South Dakota employers specifically seek candidates from accredited programs. Completing a non-accredited program limits your certification options and can reduce your competitiveness in the job market.
Who determines what a medical assistant can do in South Dakota?
Since 2021, each employing facility determines its own scope of practice for medical assistants. South Dakota’s statutes (SDCL 36-9B) still define a general framework of duties performed under physician supervision, which the South Dakota Society of Medical Assistants publishes as a reference. But your actual duties depend on where you work and what your employer allows.
Key Takeaways
- No state license required — South Dakota repealed its medical assistant registration requirement in 2021. There’s no state license or registration you need to obtain before practicing.
- Employers set the bar — Most South Dakota health systems require or strongly prefer graduates of CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited programs who hold national certification. Meeting those standards is the practical requirement for employment.
- Accreditation opens certification doors — CAAHEP or ABHES accreditation is required to sit for the CMA (AAMA) exam, the most widely recognized credential in the state.
- Scope of practice is facility-determined — There’s no statewide scope mandate. What you’re permitted to do as a medical assistant depends on the employer and clinical setting.
- Earnings vary by location — South Dakota MAs earn a mean of $41,870 annually, with Sioux Falls and Rapid City showing different median wages based on BLS 2025 data.
Select your state below to find accredited medical assistant programs, licensing requirements, and application information for your area.
2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary data for Medical Assistants reflects state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed June 2026.