Board of Examiners for Counselors & Marriage and Family Therapists

Counseling Compact Information and Notices

As a requirement of the Compact, member states are required to post notice of the draft rule and public comment period on their website as if it were a proposed rule change in the member state. The following notices are issues by the Compact Commission:

Notice of Proposed Compact Rules.

• Rule on Data System Reporting Requirements

What You Need to Know

For questions related to the proposed rules, please contact:
Greg Searls
Executive Director
Counseling Compact Commission
Email: gsearls@clear-ams.org | counselingcompact.org
Phone: 859.479.1629

Criminal Background Check Instructions

Please Note: Submission and completion of the criminal background check does not automatically authorize you to provide counseling services via the Counseling Compact. South Dakota is not able to issue privileges at this time.

State and Federal criminal background checks are not required for licensure in South Dakota. Submit only if fully licensed in SD and wanting to qualify to participate in the Counseling Compact.

Licensed Professional Counselors and Licensed Professional Counselors – Mental Health wanting to qualify to participate in the Counseling Compact:

Submit a full set of fingerprints for purposes of obtaining state and federal criminal background checks.

To request a criminal background check packet, please email office@midwestsolutionssd.com with the subject line: Criminal background check packet request and submit ONLY the following information:

• Name
• Mailing address
• License Type
• Confirmation you are wanting a CBC packet for purposes of the Compact

*Please submit only the above information. If the above instructions are not followed, your request will not be processed. Questions submitted to the above email address will not be processed.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How much is the fee?

• Payment must be submitted in the form of a money order or check for $50.00 payable to South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI).

Do I have to use specific fingerprint cards?

• Yes. You must use the fingerprint cards provided in the criminal background check packet mailed to you by the South Dakota Board of Counselors & Marriage & Family Therapists.

Where do I complete the fingerprint cards?

• Contact your local law enforcement agency for fingerprinting. Your local law enforcement agency may charge a fee for the fingerprinting service; some agencies will accept only cash in payment of this fee.

Where do I submit my completed fingerprint cards?

• South Dakota Board of Examiners for Counselors & Marriage & Family Therapists, PO Box 340, Pierre, SD 57501. Do not mail your cards directly to DCI.

If you have additional questions, please contact SDBCE@midwestsolutionssd.com or 605.224.1721
*Due to an influx of requests, please allow 5-10 business days for your packet to be mailed.