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.
South Dakota · Cosmetology
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.
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.
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 ↓
Cosmo 1,500 · Esth 600 · Barber 1,500 · Nail 400 hours. Verify school at dlr.sd.gov/cosmetology.
Apply at dlr.sd.gov/cosmetology with proof of training, photo ID, and required fees.
Schedule at candidate.psiexams.com. Three components: NIC written theory, NIC practical, and SD State Laws exam.
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 and flashcards together. One purchase, one email, instant access to both.
South Dakota · Esthetics
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.
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.
Ready to start studying? See pricing below ↓
🇰🇷 NICPrep's esthetics prep is also available in Korean — coming soon.
Practice tests and flashcards together. One purchase, one email, instant access to both.
South Dakota · Barber
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.
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.
Ready to start studying? See pricing below ↓
🇪🇸 NICPrep's barber styling prep is also available in Spanish — coming soon.
Practice tests and flashcards together. One purchase, one email, instant access to both.
South Dakota · Nail Technology
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.
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.
Ready to start studying? See pricing below ↓
🇻🇳 NICPrep's nail technology prep is also available in Vietnamese.
Practice tests and flashcards together. One purchase, one email, instant access to both.
South Dakota uses NIC exams via PSI — 75% passing. NICPrep is built from the NIC CIBs.
2026 CIB changes, domain study tips, and new-modality launches — a few emails a month, no spam.