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Caregiver training requirements in South Dakota
Short answer
South Dakota's caregiver training rules apply only to agencies paid by Medicaid, and set no minimum number of hours.
If you only serve private-pay clients, South Dakota doesn't require specific training for personal care aides.
The rules, role by role
Personal Care Aide
Applies to: All home care agencies that receive Medicaid reimbursement
- Training hours
- No minimum
- Competency test
- No
- Yearly training
- 6 hours annually
- Certificate
- None
- State registry
- No
Federal rules that apply in every state
- Home health aides at Medicare-certified agencies need at least 75 hours of training, including at least 16 hours of supervised practical training (with 16 hours of classroom training first), and must pass a competency evaluation. They also need 12 hours of in-service training every year. 42 CFR 484.80
- Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) complete a state-approved program of at least 75 hours, including at least 16 hours of supervised practical training. Many states require more. 42 CFR 483.152
- There is no federal training standard for personal care aides(non-medical caregivers). That's set state by state, and sometimes only for Medicaid-funded work.
Before a new caregiver's first shift
- Keep proof of training — the certificate or sign-off for any training South Dakota or your payer requires.
- Run the background checks your state licensing rules and your contracts require.
- Record expiry dates for CPR, TB tests and licenses, and renew them before they lapse.
Source: PHI, a review of each state's Medicaid rules, waivers and home care licensing regulations (2024–2025 policy). Checked October 2026. Rules change — confirm with your state's licensing agency before you rely on them. This is general information, not legal advice.
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Caregiver training in South Dakota: common questions
How many hours of training does a caregiver need in South Dakota?
South Dakota's caregiver training rules apply only to agencies paid by Medicaid, and set no minimum number of hours. If you only serve private-pay clients, South Dakota doesn't require specific training for personal care aides. Home health aides at Medicare-certified agencies need at least 75 hours under federal rules.
Do caregivers need a certificate in South Dakota?
South Dakota doesn't issue a specific certificate for personal care aides. CNAs and home health aides follow their own certification rules.
Are home care agencies licensed in South Dakota?
South Dakota doesn't license non-medical home care agencies, according to PHI's review. Medicare-certified home health agencies are still regulated.
Do private-pay agencies in South Dakota have to train caregivers?
No state training rule covers aides who only serve private-pay clients in South Dakota, though many agencies train them anyway for quality and insurance reasons.
Hiring in South Dakota? See caregiver pay in South Dakota, or try the free job description generator.