Qualified Mental Health Professional and Board of Mental Illness

Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP)

The 2020 South Dakota Legislature enacted several amendments and/or clarifying language to the statutory requirements pertaining to the emergency committal process. The amended statutes went into effect on July 1, 2020. Please take a few minutes to review this short summary of the changes to the statute so that you’re familiar with them as you perform QMHP evaluations

The Department of Social Services, Division of Behavioral Health provides Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) training as required by SDCL 27A-1-7 to eligible professionals.

The web-based training provides eligible professionals education regarding the statutory requirements pertaining to the emergency committal process and must be completed every four years.

This training is not required for professionals to provide services which are within the scope of a licensed discipline. However, QMHP training is required to conduct the examination specified in SDCL 27A-10-6

If you have questions regarding QMHP training, please contact the Division of Behavioral Health at 605.367.5236.

Training Requirements

The following information must be received by Division of Behavioral Health after registering for the online training. Once received, participants will be notified by email to begin the training.

1. A photocopy of your respective professional license
2. Registration Page
3. $15.00 fee by check and/or money order made out to SD Division of Behavioral Health

Checks should be made out to the SD Division of Behavioral Health and can be mailed to the address below.

A photocopy of your professional license can be mailed, faxed, or emailed to the Division of Behavioral Health at DSSBHQMHP@state.sd.us.

Training Enrollment

• Enroll and complete the training
• Enrollment and Training Instructions
• QMHP FAQ

Training Materials

• Online Training PowerPoint

Downloading the PowerPoint is available as a reference and does not constitute as training.

Contact Information

SD Division of Behavioral Health
Attn: QMHP
3900 W. Technology Circle, STE 1
Sioux Falls, SD 57106
Fax: 605.367.5239
DSSBHQMHP@state.sd.us

County Board of Mental Illness

All members of the Board of Mental Illness are required to participate in a training prior to undertaking their duties. SDCL 27A-7-9.

• List of County Board Chairs

Training Information

• Affidavits for training
• Mental Health Involuntary Commitment Roadmap
• Substance Use Disorder Involuntary Commitment Roadmap
• Training for County Board of Mental Illness
  • Registration and Testing Instructions

Example Documents

• Adult Hold Notice
• Minor Hold Notice
• Certification of QMHP or Physician
• Chronic Disability Information
• Petition for Emergency Commitment
• Petition for Emergency Commitment by a QMHP
• Petition for a Minor Emergency Commitment
• Supplemental Information for Involuntary Commitment