South Dakota Governor Signs Legislation Removing Mandatory Practice Agreements

March 28, 2025

South Dakota PAs are celebrating a major win for the profession, following the signing of HB 1071 into law on the evening of March 27. The legislation modernizes PA practice in the state by eliminating the requirement for PAs to have a collaboration agreement with a specific physician after 6,000 hours, which is equivalent to three years of full-time practice.

Governor Larry Rhoden signed HB 1071 along with other bills he labeled, “Taking Care of People,” and will hold a ceremonial signing on March 31 with leaders from the South Dakota Academy of PAs (SDAPA) in attendance.

“HB 1071 is the culmination of half a decade’s work of advocacy and education to modernize South Dakota’s PA practice laws to better reflect PA’s education, training, and competencies,” said SDAPA Legislative Chair Kayla Frank, PA-C.

“The road of advocacy is one of twists, turns, unexpected detours and dead ends. Our organization is not only celebrating the passage of HB 1071 but the unity it brought our organization, the new community partners and advocates we discovered, and relationships we developed with members of Governor Rhoden’s administration and the South Dakota Legislature. We look forward to working closely with the South Dakota Board of Medicine and Osteopathic Examiners on implementing the changes over the coming months.”

AAPA joins SDAPA in commending South Dakota lawmakers and Gov. Rhoden for their leadership in ushering this update into law. The law will take effect on July 1.

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