Medical Assistant in South Dakota
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for SD
How to Become a Medical Assistant in South Dakota
To become a Medical Assistant in South Dakota, while state registration is no longer required, national certification is highly recommended by employers. Aspiring medical assistants should complete an accredited postsecondary medical assisting program and then pass a national certification exam such as the CMA, RMA, CCMA, or NCMA. Although there are no state-mandated continuing education requirements, national certifications typically require ongoing education for renewal.
Medical Assistant Requirements in South Dakota
| Detail | South Dakota |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | South Dakota Board of Medical & Osteopathic Examiners |
| State License Required | No |
| Education | High school diploma or GED. Completion of an accredited postsecondary medical assisting program is preferred by employers and may be necessary for national certification. |
| Exam | National certification (CMA, RMA, CCMA, or NCMA) is strongly preferred by employers. ($125) |
| Application Fee | $25 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Notes | South Dakota no longer requires medical assistants to be registered with the Board of Medical & Osteopathic Examiners as of July 1, 2021. While state registration is not required, national certification is strongly preferred by employers. Applicants for national certification must typically be at least 18 years old and have graduated from an accredited program. Some national certifications may also be obtained through work experience. |
Source: South Dakota Board of Medical & Osteopathic Examiners
Medical Assistant Salary in South Dakota
The median medical assistant salary in South Dakota is $39,350 per year, which is 11.0% below the national median of $44,200.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $31,450 |
| 25th | $36,130 |
| 50th (median) | $39,350 |
| 75th | $44,550 |
| 90th (experienced) | $47,840 |
South Dakota employs approximately 1,170 medical assistants.
Medical Assistant Job Outlook
AI Impact on Medical Assistants
Low AI Exposure (Score: 0.15/1.00)
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
Is Becoming a Medical Assistant in South Dakota Worth It?
Factors to consider: South Dakota's cost of living, the lack of a state license requirement, strong job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.