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NICPrep/States/South Dakota

South Dakota cosmetology license
requirements, 2026.

All South Dakota beauty licenses in one place. South Dakota uses NIC theory and practical exams via Prov — 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
Prov
Exam vendor
Board-verified
Data source
May '26
Verified

On this page

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  1. Cosmetology 1,500 hrs
  2. Esthetics 600 hrs
  3. Barber 1,500 hrs
  4. Manicurist 400 hrs
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Practice tests and flashcards, by license.

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10 questions from the NIC cosmetology bank and 10 terminology cards from the decks — the same items, the same rationales, the same study modes you get after checkout. South Dakota tests on the NIC exam, so this is the exam you'll sit. No email, no signup.

South Dakota · Cosmetology

Cosmetology license — 2026.

1,500 hours at a Commission-approved cosmetology school. NIC theory and practical exams via Prov (75% each) plus a separate South Dakota State Laws exam. Annual birthday renewal. CE-free.

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 · CE-free
South Dakota uses NIC exams via Prov — NICPrep covers the NIC portion; the state component is tested separately

South Dakota uses NIC National Theory and Practical Examinations. NICPrep's cosmetology question bank is built from the NIC CIB — it covers the NIC portion; this state's own component is tested separately. 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 ↑

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 Prov — 75% each

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

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

    CE-free. Annual birthday renewal. Confirm current fees at dlr.sd.gov/cosmetology.

Official cosmetology resources

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

See Cosmetology prep and pricing →

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South Dakota · Esthetics

Esthetics license — 2026.

600 hours at a Commission-approved school. NIC esthetics theory and practical exams via Prov (75% each) plus SD State Laws exam. Annual birthday renewal. CE-free.

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 · CE-free
South Dakota uses NIC esthetics exams via Prov — NICPrep covers the NIC portion; the state component is tested separately

South Dakota uses NIC National Esthetics Theory and Practical Examinations. NICPrep's esthetics question bank is built from the NIC Esthetics CIB — it covers the NIC portion; this state's own component is tested separately. 75% passing.

Official esthetics resources

Ready to start studying? See pricing ↑

See Esthetics prep and pricing →

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South Dakota · Barber

Barber license — 2026.

1,500 hours at a Commission-approved barber school. NIC Barber Styling theory and practical exams via Prov (75% each) plus SD State Laws exam. Annual birthday renewal. CE-free.

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 · CE-free
South Dakota uses NIC barber exams via Prov — NICPrep covers the NIC portion; the state component is tested separately

South Dakota uses NIC Barber Styling Theory and Practical Examinations. NICPrep's barber question bank is built from the NIC Barber Styling CIB — it covers the NIC portion; this state's own component is tested separately. 75% passing on both.

Official barber resources

Ready to start studying? See pricing ↑

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

See Barber prep and pricing →

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South Dakota · Nail Technology

Manicurist license — 2026.

400 hours at a Commission-approved school. NIC Nail Technology theory and practical exams via Prov (75% each) plus SD State Laws exam. Annual birthday renewal. CE-free.

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 · CE-free
South Dakota uses NIC nail technology exams via Prov — NICPrep covers the NIC portion; the state component is tested separately

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 — it covers the NIC portion; this state's own component is tested separately. 75% passing.

Official manicurist resources

Ready to start studying? See pricing ↑

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

See Nail Technology prep and pricing →

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South Dakota · All license types

Rules that apply to every South Dakota beauty license.

NIC exams via Prov — 75% passing

South Dakota administers the NIC National Examination through Prov. 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 · CE-free for practitioners

South Dakota beauty licenses (cosmetology, esthetics, barber, manicurist) renew annually on the licensee's birthday. CE-free 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 Prov — 75% passing. NICPrep is built from the NIC CIBs.

See cosmetology prep → See esthetics prep

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