State Licensing Requirements in SOUTH DAKOTA

Cosmetologists

Cosmetologists

Licensing Requirements

Any individual wishing to engage in cosmetology shall meet the following qualifications:

    • The applicant shall be 18 years or older;
    • The applicant provides evidence of high school or GED completion;
    • The applicant completes the required hours of study from a licensed cosmetology school; or
    • The applicant completes the required hours of study in an apprentice salon;
    • The applicant passes three examinations;
    • The applicant pays the required fees.

    Exam Requirements

    Each individual who seeks admission to an examination shall complete the following:

      • The applicant completes 2,100 hours of cosmetology education in a licensed South Dakota school; or
      • The applicant completed 3,000 hours of education in a licensed apprentice salon;
      • The applicant submits to the commission the Exam and Temporary License Application Form;
      • The applicant shall pass the NIC national written examination, NIC national practical examination and South Dakota state laws/rules.
      • The applicant shall pay the required fees.

      Continuing Education Requirements

      There are no continuing education requirements for Cosmetologists. Licenses should be renewed on or before the licensee’s birthday. Senior Instructors are expected to complete 12 hours of continuing education in order to renew their license.

      Apprenticeship Programs

      Cosmetology licenses can be achieved through hours of study as an apprentice in South Dakota. The applicant must first be licensed as an apprentice and then complete 3,000 hours of study in a licensed apprentice salon.

      License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements

      To be licensed by reciprocity in South Dakota the following requirements must be met:

        • The applicant must provide proof that they are 18 years of age or older;
        • The applicant must provide proof that they are a high school graduate or equivalent;
          • If out of the country, the applicant will need to have their education translated and evaluated by Aequo International;
        • The applicant’s license must have been achieved with the same number of hours required by the state; or
        • Two hours of work experience are equal to one hour of education, so these hours may be added if an applicant has insufficient education;
        • The applicant must take and pass the South Dakota Laws and Rules test;
        • The applicant must provide proof of passing out of state theory and practical examinations;
        • The applicant must pay the required fee.

        Instructors

        An individual wishing to practice as an instructor in South Dakota must first be licensed as a Junior Instructor and after completing the hours of instructor education may receive a Senior Instructor License. The following requirements must be met:

          • Possess a current cosmetologist license;
          • Complete at least 1,000 hours of salon experience;
          • Show completion of a minimum 12 clock hour instructor education course(s) that were preapproved by the Commission;
          • Complete a 1,000 clock-hour approved instructor education program;
          • Pass the South Dakota Instructor Laws/Rules written test;
          • Submit the Instructor License Application with initial fee.
          Hairdresser

          Hair Stylists

          Stylists are licensed under cosmetology.
          Barber School

          Barbers

          Licensing Requirements

          Any individual wishing to engage in barbering shall meet the following qualifications:

            • The applicant is at least eighteen years of age;
            • The applicant has completed the required number of hours in a licensed school;
            • The applicant has passed a satisfactory examination conducted by the Board of Barber Examiners;
            • The applicant pays the required fees.

            Exam Requirements

            Each individual who seeks admission to an examination shall complete the following:

              • The applicant shall complete a program of study of no less than 1,500 hours;
              • The applicant shall take the practical and written examinations;
              • The passing score on each examination is a 75%;
              • The applicant shall pay the required fees.

              Continuing Education Requirements

              There are no continuing education requirements. All barber, apprentice barber and barbershop licenses must be renewed each year by June 30.

              Apprenticeship Programs

              Education must be received in a licensed school of barbering.

              License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements

              Any person who is at least eighteen years of age may transfer a barber license or registration to South Dakota if the applicant has:

                • A license or certificate of registration as a barber from another state or country that has substantially the same requirements for licensing; or
                • If an applicant applying to transfer a barber license or registration has less than 1,500 hours of instruction, the applicant shall receive an additional 50 of credit for each month the applicant has practiced as a licensed barber in the other state or country; or
                • Can prove by affidavits that the applicant has practiced as a barber in another state or country for at least five years.
                After a qualified applicant pays the required fee, the Board of Barber Examiners shall issue a certificate of registration to practice barbering.

                Instructors

                The board of barber examiners shall license temporary barber college instructors. Each license is valid for not more than 30 days. Each applicant shall appear before the board for examination. Each applicant must be a person of good, sound character and have been a registered barber for at least two years immediately prior to the examination for a license as a temporary barber college instructor.
                Esthetician

                Estheticians

                Licensing Requirements

                Any individual wishing to engage in esthetics shall meet the following qualifications:

                  • The applicant shall be 18 years or older;
                  • The applicant provides evidence of high school or GED completion;
                  • The applicant completes the required hours of study from a licensed school;
                  • The applicant passes three examinations;
                  • The applicant pays the required fees.

                  Exam Requirements

                  Each individual who seeks admission to an examination shall complete the following:

                    • The applicant completes 600 hours of esthetics education in a licensed South Dakota school;
                    • The applicant submits to the commission the Exam and Temporary License Application Form;
                    • The applicant shall pass the NIC national written examination, NIC national practical examination and South Dakota state laws/rules.
                    • The applicant shall pay the required fees.

                    Continuing Education Requirements

                    There are no continuing education requirements for Estheticians. Licenses should be renewed on or before the licensee’s birthday. Senior Instructors are expected to complete 12 hours of continuing education in order to renew their license.

                    Apprenticeship Programs

                    Esthetician licenses cannot be received through apprenticeship. Apprenticeships are only held by those studying cosmetology and nail technology.

                    License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements

                    Estheticians cannot be licensed by reciprocity in South Dakota. The following requirements must be met for an individual to practice in South Dakota after being licensed out of state:

                      • The applicant must provide proof that they are 18 years of age or older;
                      • The applicant must provide proof that they are a high school graduate or equivalent;
                        • If out of the country, the applicant will need to have their education translated and evaluated by Aequo International;
                      • The applicant’s license must have been achieved with the same number of hours required by the state; or
                      • Two hours of work experience are equal to one hour of education, so these hours may be added if an applicant has insufficient education;
                      • The applicant must take and pass the South Dakota Laws and Rules test;
                      • The applicant must take the National (NIC) theory examination and National (NIC) handson practical examination in South Dakota only;
                      • The applicant must pay the required fee.

                      Instructors

                      An individual wishing to practice as an instructor in South Dakota must first be licensed as a Junior Instructor and after completing the hours of instructor education may receive a Senior Instructor License. The following requirements must be met:

                        • Possess a current esthetics license;
                        • Complete at least 1,000 hours of salon experience;
                        • Show completion of a minimum 12 clock hour instructor education course(s) that were preapproved by the Commission;
                        • Complete a 1,000 clock-hour approved instructor education program;
                        • Pass the South Dakota Instructor Laws/Rules written test;
                        • Submit the Instructor License Application with initial fee.
                        Nailtech

                        Nail Technicians/Manicurist

                        Licensing Requirements

                        Any individual wishing to engage in nail technology shall meet the following qualifications:

                          • The applicant shall be 18 years or older;
                          • The applicant provides evidence of high school or GED completion;
                          • The applicant completes the required hours of study from a licensed cosmetology school; or
                          • The applicant completes the required hours of study in an apprentice salon;
                          • The applicant passes three examinations;
                          • The applicant pays the required fees.

                          Exam Requirements

                          Each individual who seeks admission to an examination shall complete the following:

                            • The applicant completes 400 hours of education in a licensed South Dakota school; or
                            • The applicant completed 900 hours of education in a licensed apprentice salon;
                            • The applicant submits to the commission the Exam and Temporary License Application Form;
                            • The applicant shall pass the NIC national written examination, NIC national practical examination and South Dakota state laws/rules.
                            • The applicant shall pay the required fees.

                            Continuing Education Requirements

                            There are no continuing education requirements for nail technicians. Licenses should be renewed on or before the licensee’s birthday. Senior Instructors are expected to complete 12 hours of continuing education in order to renew their license.

                            Apprenticeship Programs

                            Nail Technology licenses can be achieved through hours of study as an apprentice in South Dakota. The applicant must first be licensed as an apprentice and then complete 900 hours of study in a licensed apprentice salon.

                            License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements

                            Nail technicians cannot be licensed by reciprocity in South Dakota. The following requirements must be met for an individual to practice in South Dakota after being licensed out of state:

                              • The applicant must provide proof that they are 18 years of age or older;
                              • The applicant must provide proof that they are a high school graduate or equivalent;
                                • If out of the country, the applicant will need to have their education translated and evaluated by Aequo International;
                              • The applicant’s license must have been achieved with the same number of hours required by the state; or
                              • Two hours of work experience are equal to one hour of education, so these hours may be added if an applicant has insufficient education;
                              • The applicant must take and pass the South Dakota Laws and Rules test;
                              • The applicant must take the National (NIC) theory examination and National (NIC) handson practical examination in South Dakota only;
                              • The applicant must pay the required fee.

                              Instructors

                              An individual wishing to practice as an instructor in South Dakota must first be licensed as a Junior Instructor and after completing the hours of instructor education may receive a Senior Instructor License. The following requirements must be met:

                                • Possess a current nail technology license;
                                • Complete at least 1,000 hours of salon experience;
                                • Show completion of a minimum 12 clock hour instructor education course(s) that were preapproved by the Commission;
                                • Complete a 1,000 clock-hour approved instructor education program;
                                • Pass the South Dakota Instructor Laws/Rules written test;
                                • Submit the Instructor License Application with initial fee.
                                Makeup Artist

                                Make-up Artists

                                Make-up artists are licensed under Cosmetology and Esthetics.
                                Cosmetology Services

                                Licensing of Mobile Cosmetology Services

                                There are currently no rules licensing mobile cosmetology salons. However, mobile barbershops are licensed in South Dakota.
                                Cosmetology Programs

                                High School Cosmetology Programs

                                There are no high school cosmetology programs offered in South Dakota. In order to attend a cosmetology school a student must be at least 17 years of age and possess a high school diploma or the equivalent.

                                Additional Professions Licensed

                                • Body Piercing
                                • Massage Therapy
                                • Tattooing