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South Dakota beauty licenses
2026 requirements.

All South Dakota beauty licenses in one place. South Dakota uses NIC theory and practical exams via PSI — 75% passing. Cosmetology runs 1,500 hours (esthetics 600, barber 1,500, manicurist 400). Applicants also take a separate South Dakota State Laws exam. Annual renewal, no CE for practitioners. Regulated by the South Dakota Cosmetology Commission.

4
License types
PSI
Exam vendor
Board-verified
Data source
Jun '26
Verified

South Dakota · Cosmetology

Cosmetology license — 2026.

1,500 hours at a Commission-approved cosmetology school. NIC theory and practical exams via PSI (75% each) plus a separate South Dakota State Laws exam. Annual birthday renewal. No CE.

At a glance
Training hours
1,500
Board-approved school
License fee
$45
South Dakota Board
Passing score
75% both
NIC via Prov · written + practical
Renewal
Annual · birthday
Annual (birthday) renewal · No CE
South Dakota uses NIC exams via PSI — NICPrep is a direct fit

South Dakota uses NIC National Theory and Practical Examinations. NICPrep's cosmetology question bank is built from the NIC CIB — a direct-fit study resource. 75% passing on both.

SD State Laws exam required — three exams total

South Dakota requires three exam components: NIC Theory, NIC Practical, and a separate South Dakota State Laws exam covering SD cosmetology statutes. All three at 75%. The SD Laws exam is NOT covered by NICPrep — NICPrep covers NIC theory and practical content only.

Ready to start studying? See pricing below ↓

Step-by-step: how to get licensed

  1. Complete training hours at a SD Commission-approved school

    Cosmo 1,500 · Esth 600 · Barber 1,500 · Nail 400 hours. Verify school at dlr.sd.gov/cosmetology.

  2. Submit application to South Dakota Cosmetology Commission

    Apply at dlr.sd.gov/cosmetology with proof of training, photo ID, and required fees.

  3. Pass NIC theory exam + practical exam + SD State Laws exam via PSI — 75% each

    Schedule at candidate.psiexams.com. Three components: NIC written theory, NIC practical, and SD State Laws exam.

  4. Receive your South Dakota license · Renew annually on your birthday

    No CE required. Annual birthday renewal. Confirm current fees at dlr.sd.gov/cosmetology.

🇪🇸 NICPrep's cosmetology prep is also available in Spanish.

Practice tests

Practice Test

$39 one-time · lifetime access

Full 10-test NIC Cosmetology exam simulation with instant rationales and per-domain breakdown.

  • 10 tests × 110 questions = 1,100 total
  • Every domain weighted to NIC percentages
  • Study mode + timed exam mode
  • Free 10-question preview · no signup
Flashcards

Flashcards

$19 one-time · lifetime access

1,099 cards: Sci · Hair · Skin · Nail. Front: question. Back: answer plus full rationale.

  • 1,099 cards: Sci · Hair · Skin · Nail
  • Front: question · Back: answer + rationale
  • Shuffle mode within each domain
  • Per-deck progress tracking
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South Dakota · Esthetics

Esthetics license — 2026.

600 hours at a Commission-approved school. NIC esthetics theory and practical exams via PSI (75% each) plus SD State Laws exam. Annual birthday renewal. No CE.

At a glance
Training hours
600
Board-approved school
License fee
$45
South Dakota Board
Passing score
75% both
NIC via Prov · written + practical
Renewal
Annual · birthday
Annual (birthday) renewal · No CE
South Dakota uses NIC esthetics exams via PSI — NICPrep is a direct fit

South Dakota uses NIC National Esthetics Theory and Practical Examinations. NICPrep's esthetics question bank is built from the NIC Esthetics CIB — a direct-fit study resource. 75% passing.

Official esthetics resources

Ready to start studying? See pricing below ↓

🇰🇷 NICPrep's esthetics prep is also available in Korean — coming soon.

Practice tests

Practice Test

$39 one-time · lifetime access

Full 10-test NIC Esthetics exam simulation with instant rationales and per-domain breakdown.

  • 10 tests × 110 questions = 1,100 total
  • Every domain weighted to NIC percentages
  • Study mode + timed exam mode
  • Free 10-question preview · no signup
Flashcards

Flashcards

$19 one-time · lifetime access

1,100 cards: Sci · Skin. Front: question. Back: answer plus full rationale.

  • 1,100 cards: Sci · Skin
  • Front: question · Back: answer + rationale
  • Shuffle mode within each domain
  • Per-deck progress tracking
↑ Back to top

South Dakota · Barber

Barber license — 2026.

1,500 hours at a Commission-approved barber school. NIC Barber Styling theory and practical exams via PSI (75% each) plus SD State Laws exam. Annual birthday renewal. No CE.

At a glance
Training hours
1,500
Board-approved barber school
License fee
$45
South Dakota Board
Passing score
75% both
NIC via Prov · written + practical
Renewal
Annual · birthday
Annual (birthday) renewal · No CE
South Dakota uses NIC barber exams via PSI — NICPrep is a direct fit

South Dakota uses NIC Barber Styling Theory and Practical Examinations. NICPrep's barber question bank is built from the NIC Barber Styling CIB — a direct-fit study resource. 75% passing on both.

Official barber resources

Ready to start studying? See pricing below ↓

🇪🇸 NICPrep's barber styling prep is also available in Spanish — coming soon.

Practice tests

Practice Test

$39 one-time · lifetime access

Full 10-test NIC Barber Styling exam simulation with instant rationales and per-domain breakdown.

  • 10 tests × 110 questions = 1,100 total
  • Every domain weighted to NIC percentages
  • Study mode + timed exam mode
  • Free 10-question preview · no signup
Flashcards

Flashcards

$19 one-time · lifetime access

1,100 cards: Sci · Hair · Implements · Facial. Front: question. Back: answer plus full rationale.

  • 1,100 cards: Sci · Hair · Implements · Facial
  • Front: question · Back: answer + rationale
  • Shuffle mode within each domain
  • Per-deck progress tracking
↑ Back to top

South Dakota · Nail Technology

Manicurist license — 2026.

400 hours at a Commission-approved school. NIC Nail Technology theory and practical exams via PSI (75% each) plus SD State Laws exam. Annual birthday renewal. No CE.

At a glance
Training hours
350
Board-approved school
License fee
$45
South Dakota Board
Passing score
75% both
NIC via Prov · written + practical
Renewal
Annual · birthday
Annual (birthday) renewal · No CE
South Dakota uses NIC nail technology exams via PSI — NICPrep is a direct fit

South Dakota uses NIC National Nail Technology Theory and Practical Examinations. NICPrep's nail technology question bank is built from the NIC Nail Technology CIB — a direct-fit study resource. 75% passing.

Official manicurist resources

Ready to start studying? See pricing below ↓

🇻🇳 NICPrep's nail technology prep is also available in Vietnamese.

Practice tests

Practice Test

$39 one-time · lifetime access

Full 10-test NIC Nail Technology exam simulation with instant rationales and per-domain breakdown.

  • 10 tests × 110 questions = 1,100 total
  • Every domain weighted to NIC percentages
  • Study mode + timed exam mode
  • Free 10-question preview · no signup
Flashcards

Flashcards

$19 one-time · lifetime access

1,100 cards across 9 NIC domains. Front: question. Back: answer plus full rationale.

  • 1,100 cards across 9 NIC domains
  • Front: question · Back: answer + rationale
  • Shuffle mode within each domain
  • Per-deck progress tracking
↑ Back to top

South Dakota · All license types

Rules that apply to every South Dakota beauty license.

NIC exams via PSI — 75% passing

South Dakota administers the NIC National Examination through PSI. Both the written theory and practical exams are required at 75% passing for all license types. Applicants also take a separate South Dakota State Laws exam covering South Dakota statutes and board rules. A high school diploma or GED is required for all South Dakota beauty licenses. Confirm current application and license fees with the Board — see the official South Dakota licensing portal below.

Annual renewal · No CE for practitioners

South Dakota beauty licenses (cosmetology, esthetics, barber, manicurist) renew annually on the licensee's birthday. No CE is required for any cosmetology, esthetics, barber, or manicurist practitioner; CE is required for instructors only. Reciprocity may be available for out-of-state applicants whose training meets or exceeds South Dakota's requirements.

1,500-hour cosmetology requirement

South Dakota: cosmetology 1,500 hours · esthetics 600 hours · barber 1,500 hours · nail 400 hours.

Official South Dakota licensing portal

Last verified May 2026 against South Dakota Cosmetology Commission (dlr.sd.gov/cosmetology) and NICPrep is an independent prep resource and is not affiliated with the South Dakota Cosmetology Commission or the State of South Dakota.

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Next step

Study exactly what South Dakota's NIC exam tests.

South Dakota uses NIC exams via PSI — 75% passing. NICPrep is built from the NIC CIBs.