South Dakota License Requirements
Last Updated: April 25, 2017
When getting a South Dakota cosmetology license or other beauty practitioner certification, you must complete the state of South Dakota's minimum required educational hours and then take the cosmetology board exams. The state of South Dakota does not typically allow apprenticeship as a way of completing training hours; exceptions are few and far between. SD allows you to take board exams in the English language or the Vietnamese language.
Keep in mind, even though South Dakota may not require continuing education to renew most licenses, you may wish to consider taking cosmetology continuing education hours in South Dakota annually to stay current on the latest trends.
For specific questions, please contact the South Dakota Cosmetology Commission directly for more information.
Find South Dakota beauty schools on BeautySchoolsDirectory.com that can help you earn a license in cosmetology and other beauty professions in South Dakota.
2017 South Dakota Board of Cosmetology License Requirements
- COSMETOLOGIST LICENSE: 2100 Hours
- ESTHETICIAN LICENSE: 600 Hours
- NAIL TECHNICIAN LICENSE: 400 Hours
- COSMETOLOGY INSTRUCTOR LICENSE: Cosmetology License + 1000 Hours Work Experience + 1012 Hours
- JUNIOR COSMETOLOGY INSTRUCTOR LICENSE: Cosmetology License + 1000 Hours Work Experience + 1000 Hours Training + 12 Hours Instructor Education
- SENIOR COSMETOLOGY INSTRUCTOR LICENSE: Junior Cosmetology Instructor License + Attend Commission’s Instructor Seminar
- MASSAGE THERAPIST LICENSE: 500 Hours
South Dakota Cosmetology License Renewal
Cosmetology license renewal in South Dakota happens annually. You must renew your license by your birthday each year to keep your license valid. Cosmetology instructors are required to get 12 hours of cosmetology continuing education per year; most other cosmetology licenses do not currently have any continuing education requirements.
You will have to complete CEUs if you want to offer microdermabrasion or electric nail filing services.
Personal beauty practitioner licenses cost $20 to renew and instructor licenses cost $25 to renew.
Cosmetology License Reciprocity (Transfer) in South Dakota
To transfer your cosmetology license to South Dakota, your education and work experience needs to be equal to or greater than what is required in South Dakota. The reciprocity to transfer your license is $100. You must also provide proof of high school graduation or GED, a passport or driver's license, and an affidavit from the licensing agency of your home state.
SD State Board of Cosmetology Contact Information
South Dakota Cosmetology Commission
500 East Capitol
Pierre, SD 57501
Phone Number: 605-773-6193
Fax Number: 605-773-7175
E-mail Address: cosmetology@state.sd.us
The South Dakota Cosmetology Commission can answer questions about getting, transferring or renewing your South Dakota cosmetology license.