Section 13-1-52 - False claims concerning academic degree prohibited for certain purposes--Violation as misdemeanor. - South Dakota Statutes

13-1-52. False claims concerning academic degree prohibited for certain purposes--Violation as misdemeanor. No person may knowingly use a false academic degree or falsely claim to have a valid academic degree for the following purposes:
(1) To obtain employment;
(2) To obtain a promotion or higher compensation in employment;
(3) To obtain admission to postsecondary education; or
(4) In connection with any business, trade, profession, or occupation.
A violation of this section is a Class 1 misdemeanor.
For the purposes of this section, a false academic degree is a degree document, a certification of completion of a degree, coursework, or degree credit, including a transcript, that provides evidence or demonstrates completion of a course of instruction or coursework that results in the attainment of an associate degree or higher which is issued by a person or entity that is neither currently accredited by a regional, state, or national accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education pursuant to 20 U.S.C. § 1099b as amended to January 1, 2008, nor has the foreign equivalent of such accreditation or the legal authority from a foreign country to issue degrees usable as educational credentials in the jurisdiction of issue.
The provisions of this section do not apply to any documents issued by a religious institution that offers credit or degree solely for the purpose of conferring status or authority within that religion.

Source: SL 2008, ch 71, § 1.