South DakotaSouth Dakota adopts compact for athletic trainers to practice across state lines
South Dakota’s law adopts an athletic trainer compact, which takes effect once seven states enact it and allows eligible trainers to practice across member states.
What it does
Eligible athletic trainers may practice in other compact states after the compact takes effect. They must meet its license, qualification, and background check rules.
Trainers seeking to join the compact must complete fingerprint-based state and federal background checks and pay their cost.
Argument forEligible trainers could practice in other compact states without getting a separate license from each state.
Argument againstThe background check, credential rules, and possible state fees could make cross-state practice harder for some licensed trainers.
More detail
The compact allows eligible athletic trainers to practice in other member states under a compact privilege. The compact covers trainers with an active, unrestricted license who qualify to practice in another state that has enacted the compact. Trainers must complete a criminal background check and meet one of two qualification paths: current certification, or specified education and an exam. They must also hold an eligible license, meet other compact requirements, and pay any applicable state fees. Each state keeps authority over practice within its borders. The compact takes effect when a seventh state enacts it. A compact privilege lasts until the trainer’s qualifying license expires.
The South Dakota board must set up fingerprint-based state and federal background checks for trainers seeking to participate in the compact. This applies to athletic trainers seeking to participate in the compact. The trainer must pay the cost of fingerprinting and the background check.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 30Signed by the Governor Larry Rhoden on 2026-03-30 H.J. 578Became Law
- Mar 12Delivered to the Governor on 2026-03-12 H.J. 562To Governor
- Mar 11Signed by the President S.J. 526Major
- Mar 10Signed by the Speaker H.J. 553Major
- Mar 9Senate Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 32, NAYS 2 S.J. 495Passed Senate
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 5Remove from Consent Calendar S.J. 481
- Mar 4Certified uncontested, placed on consent , Passed, S.J. 27
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 4Health and Human Services Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 7, NAYS 0 S.J. 27Minor
- Mar 4Scheduled for hearing S.J. 1
- Feb 17First read in Senate and referred to Senate Health and Human Services S.J. 272Minor
- Feb 12House of Representatives Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 59, NAYS 3 H.J. 316Passed House
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 10Certified uncontested, placed on consent , Passed,
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 10Health and Human Services Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 12, NAYS 0Minor
- Feb 10Scheduled for hearing
- Jan 28Referred to House Health and Human Services H.J. 165Minor
- Jan 27First Reading House H.J. 149Introduced
Healthcare