Updated September 15, 2023

III. CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

A. Credits

  1. SDACO Credits and Electives are awarded in the following manner. 1 hour of class time = 1 credit.
  2. Video credits are worth 60% of regular in-class credits.
  3. District meetings shall count for 1 elective credit hour each. Classes held separate of the business meeting and office roundtable sessions at district meetings shall be credited as a normal elective.

 

B. Elective Courses

  1. Elective credit classes must be beneficial to the ongoing duties of an elected county official. The Continuing Education Committee (CEC) has the authority to determine if a class qualifies for credit under the SDACO Certified County Official Program. Elective courses administered by the SDACO will be offered at Spring Workshop and at convention.
  2. Officials may also choose to submit other coursework relevant to their duties as a county official completed outside the SDACO to the CEC for approval. Classes completed independent of SDACO workshops, or other Non-pre-approved elective courses require the Elective Credit Request Form and an explanation of the benefits the class has to the duties of a county official.
  3. Pre-approved elective courses include sessions at workshops administered by the SD Secretary of State, SD Department of Legislative Audit, SD Department of Revenue and Regulation, SD Department of Health, SD Association of County Commissioners, SD Association of County Welfare Officials, Software User Meetings, SD Professional Land Surveyors’ Association, International Right of Way Association, the National Association of Counties (NACo), the National Association of County Recorders, Election Officials, and Clerks (NACRC), the National Association of County Collectors, Treasurers and Finance Officers (NACCTFO).
  4. Providing public testimony at the State Legislature will be worth 2 elective credits
  5. Participating on one or more SDACO Committee will be worth 1 elective credit.

 

C. Special Circumstances

  1. The Continuing Education Committee may, for extraordinary circumstances, approve waivers for continuing education requirements. Officials applying for a waiver must submit an application to the CEC.

 

D. Recognition

  1. Certificates of completion will be printed and distributed during the Annual County Convention.

 

E. Record Keeping

  1. Members will be responsible for tracking personal credits, and submitting a SDACO Certifying Form with credits earned to the SDACO office by August 15 of that year.

**Credits must be obtained by August 1, of that year**

 

F. Workshops

  1. SDACO New Officials Workshop

a. The New Officials Workshop will include sessions determined essential to newly elected officials by the CEC. Attendance at the New Officials Workshop is open to all officials. Course credits for officials who have already earned certification will be awarded as elective credits.

 

2. SDACO Spring Workshop

a. Spring Workshop shall consist of educational sessions planned by the CEC.

b. Each spring workshop will include opportunities to obtain elective course credits.

 

3. SDACO / SDACC Annual SD Counties Convention

a. Convention shall consist of educational sessions planned by the CEC.

b. Each convention will include opportunities to obtain elective course credits.

 

4. Other workshops may be added at the discretion of the CEC.

 

IV. INITIAL CERTIFICATION

Newly certifying officials shall meet the following requirements prior to certification:

A. New Officials Workshop

  1. Newly certifying officials will be required to attend New Officials Workshop prior to initial certification.

 

B. SDACO Spring Workshop/Annual SD Counties Convention

  1. Newly certifying Officials are required to obtain a minimum of 10 credits each year while obtaining initial certification through the non-elective classes at the SDACO Spring Workshop and Annual SD Counties Convention.

 

C. Elective Courses

  1. New officials shall obtain up to 10 elective credits prior to initial certification.
  2. In addition to the options described in section III, new officials may receive elective credits by visiting another county/or another county’s official visiting the county of the new official for a specified number of hours.

 

D. Office Specified Requirements

  1. The auditors/treasurers/registers of deeds members of the CEC may recommend additional requirements for the newly certifying officials to the respective office to be approved by a majority vote of their respective office’s membership at an Association workshop or convention.
  2. Any requirements approved will be effective at the conclusion of the annual convention. Officials will complete the initial certification requirements of the program they enrolled in.

 

V. Certified Officials Continuing Education Requirements

A. SDACO Sponsored Workshops

  1. Officials are required to obtain a minimum of 10 credits of SDACO workshops annually. Officials are required to attend either Spring Workshop or Convention in person to certify.

 

B. Elective Course Credit

  1. Officials shall obtain up to 10 continuing education elective credit hours in approved continuing education programs

 

C. Office Specific Requirements

  1. The auditors/treasurers/registers of deeds members of the CEC may recommend additional requirements for their respective office to be approved by a majority vote of the office’s membership at an Association workshop or convention.
  2. Any requirements approved will be effective at the conclusion of the annual convention.