StateLicensed

Cosmetologist License Requirements in South Dakota

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
1500 hrs
Upfront cost
—
Exam
NIC National Written Theory Examination, South Dakota Cosmetology State Laws and Rules Examination
Renewal cycle
Every 1 year
Issuing board
South Dakota Cosmetology Commission

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Be at least 18 years old. The Commission's published licensing requirements list only minimum age (18, proven by ID/birth certificate/passport), 1,500 education hours, and passing both exams as prerequisites — no high school diploma/GED and no criminal background check are listed. [1]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete 1500 hours of training at a state-approved program. 1,500 Commission-approved education hours from a South Dakota school (SDCL 36-15-2), verified by school transcript. No apprenticeship alternative to school-based training was found. Esthetics (600 hours) and Nail Technology (400 hours) are separate, lower-hour license types within the same Commission. [1]

  3. 3

    NIC National Written Theory Examination

    Pass the NIC National Written Theory Examination. Computer-based, available online to first-time candidates at a self-selected date/time; minimum passing score 75%. South Dakota does not publish a fee for this exam separately — a combined $120 fee covers both required exams plus the first license (see fees.other). South Dakota requires no separate hands-on/practical skills exam, only the two written exams listed here. [2]

  4. 4

    South Dakota Cosmetology State Laws and Rules Examination

    Pass the South Dakota Cosmetology State Laws and Rules Examination. Computer-based; minimum passing score 75%. Required of every applicant, including reciprocity/out-of-state applicants (unless proof is submitted of an already-passed equivalent theory exam from another state). Retake exams after a failure are administered in person in Pierre, not online. Fee included in the combined $120 figure (see fees.other). [2]

  5. 5

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to South Dakota Cosmetology Commission. Typical processing time: Up to 15 business days to review and issue a reciprocity license once all required documents are received; first-time exam pass/fail results post within 72 hours (excluding weekends/holidays).. [4]

  6. 6

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, South Dakota Cosmetology Commission issues your Cosmetologist License for South Dakota.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [1] None specified
License fee [1] None specified
Renewal fee [1] $45
NIC National Written Theory Examination [2] None specified
South Dakota Cosmetology State Laws and Rules Examination [2] None specified
Combined examination + first license fee (first-time applicants) [1] $120
Late renewal penalty (paid/postmarked after birth-date deadline) [1] $30
Reciprocity/out-of-state application fee [1] $120

South Dakota does not publish separate application, exam, and license-issuance fees for first-time or reciprocity applicants — a single $120 fee covers the required exam(s) and the first license, per the Commission's own FAQ and licensing-requirements pages.

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 1 year. 0 continuing education hours required per cycle.

License renews annually on or before the licensee's birth date; the renewal fee is $45, with a $30 late penalty if paid or postmarked after the birth date. No continuing education is required for a standard Cosmetologist renewal — CE is required only for optional add-on certifications such as eyelash extension, microdermabrasion, or electric nail files.

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.

South Dakota does not appear as an enacted, pending, or tracked-legislation state on the Cosmetology Licensure Compact Commission's official Compact Map (cosmetologycompact.gov/compact-map/) as of 2026-07-10. Instead, SD runs its own reciprocity licensure: an applicant with an active, in-good-standing license from another state submits a Reciprocity Application plus a 'Certification of Licensure' from the issuing state (education hours, exam history, disciplinary history, issue date), and must pass SD's State Laws & Rules exam unless proof shows an equivalent theory exam was already passed elsewhere. If the out-of-state license type doesn't match SD's Cosmetology/Esthetics/Nail Technology categories, the Commission reviews it individually and may require additional education hours.

4 state-approved training providers in South Dakota — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.

Frequently asked questions

How many education hours does South Dakota require for a cosmetology license?

1,500 Commission-approved education hours from a South Dakota school.

What exams do I need to pass?

The NIC national written theory exam and the South Dakota Cosmetology State Laws and Rules exam, both administered online by Prov with a minimum passing score of 75%. No practical/skills exam is required.

How much does it cost to get licensed?

A combined $120 fee covers the required exams and your first license — South Dakota does not itemize separate application, exam, and license fees.

How often do I renew my South Dakota cosmetology license?

Annually, by your birth date, for a $45 fee ($30 late penalty after the deadline). No continuing education is required for a standard renewal.

Can I transfer my out-of-state cosmetology license to South Dakota?

Yes, through reciprocity: submit a Reciprocity Application and a Certification of Licensure from your current state, and pass South Dakota's State Laws and Rules exam.

Sources

  1. [1] dlr.sd.gov/cosmetology/licensing_requirements.aspx — accessed 2026-07-10
  2. [2] dlr.sd.gov/cosmetology/exams.aspx — accessed 2026-07-10
  3. [3] dlr.sd.gov/cosmetology/license_renewal.aspx — accessed 2026-07-10
  4. [4] dlr.sd.gov/cosmetology/documents/Frequently_Asked_Questions.pdf — accessed 2026-07-10