South Dakota registered 10 total providers in the latest CMS NPI registry weekly update. This modest figure, representing 0% of the national weekly total, signals minimal new behavioral health activity compared to more populous states. Notably, 4 providers were newly added this week, contributing to the same year-to-date total, indicating recent, albeit limited, growth. The new additions comprise 8 individuals and 2 organizations.
Credential Landscape and ABA Capacity
The credential mix reveals a critical shortage in ABA-specific roles, with 0 BCBAs and only 2 RBTs. This complete absence of BCBAs is a significant barrier, as they are essential for providing supervision to RBTs and delivering advanced ABA services. The data also includes other behavioral health professionals, such as a Clinical Social Worker (CSW-PIP, LCSW), a Mental Health Counselor (LPC-MH, LPC), and a Counselor (MS, NCC, LPC, QMHP). While these professionals contribute to the broader behavioral health landscape, the lack of BCBAs severely limits the state's capacity to develop and expand ABA therapy programs.
Workforce Demographics
Demographically, the individual providers are predominantly female, with 6 female providers making up 75% of the total, while 2 male providers account for 25%. No organizations appeared multiple times in this week's data, suggesting a fragmented organizational presence. Provider activity is concentrated in cities such as Sioux Falls, Brookings, Lower Brule, and Yankton.
This data collectively points to a nascent and critically underserved ABA workforce in South Dakota, highlighting significant challenges in improving access to ABA services without a substantial increase in BCBA-level practitioners.
