South Dakota Cosmetology Commission | Bulletin Board
Important Updates
License Fees (06/11/2025): During the 2025 legislative session, the legislature passed Senate Bill 27 which authorized the Cosmetology Commission to raise licensing fees. This bill was passed to ensure the Commission could continue to operate and provide vital services to licensees and the public. On June 2, 2025, the Commission held a public hearing to consider changes to administrative rules pertaining to licensing fee rates. During the hearing, there was an opportunity for public comment and Commission discussion. During the June 2, 2025 hearing, the Commission voted to adopt the proposed fee increases and the new fee rates will go into effect on July 1, 2025.
The new fees will allow the Commission to continue to operate at full capacity, to fill a vacant inspector position, and to replace the current licensee database which is nearing the end of its remaining software support. The new database will provide new and advanced features that will allow the Commission to better communicate with licensees, to make the application process more streamlined, and to allow for easier online payment of licensing fees.
The new fee rates are as follows:
- Examination & Initial Operator License Fee: $120.00
- Examination Retake Fee: $90.00 (per exam)
- Operator License Renewal Fee: $45.00
- Instructor License Fee (Initial/Renewal): $45.00
- Reciprocity License Fee: $120.00
- Certification of Licensure: $30.00
- Apprentice License Fee: $25.00
- Student License Fee: $15.00
- Business License Fee (Initial): $75.00
- Business License Fee (Renewal): $55.00
- Reinspection Fee: $75.00
- Pre-Inspection Fee: $75.00
- Duplicate License Fee: $15.00
- Lapsed License Fee: $30.00 (for each lapsed year)
- School License Fee (Initial/Renewal): $350.00
- Apprentice Salon License Fee (Initial Renewal): $300.00
Online License Verification (06/11/2025): Licensees, members of the public, and Commission inspectors can check the status of an operator or business license by clicking here.
When completing a license search, any of the following formats can be used to search for a licensee:
Operator:- CO-54321-2025
- CO-54321
- 54321
- CB-54321-2025
- CB-54321
- 54321
Shared Booth Space (03/26/2025): On March 17, 2025, Governor Rhoden signed House Bill 1232C into law. This law allows booth renters to share booth space under certain conditions. Booth space may now be shared as long as each booth renter meets the minimum equipment and sanitary requirements, booth renters do not share the same booth space at the same time, and each booth renter holds the proper operator and booth licensure to perform services in the shared booth space. During an inspection, if an inspector discovers a violation of South Dakota Cosmetology Law or Rule, and cannot determine which booth renter is responsible for the violation, the salon owner will be held responsible.
Limited Salon/Booth Licenses (01/27/2025): A cosmetology salon or booth (business) license applicant who selects fewer than all three service types (hair, esthetics, nail technology) on an application is issued a limited business license. The limitation only affects the business license and can be updated by applying for a new business license and being inspected. This is required by South Dakota Codified Law (SDCL) 36-15-51 (effective 1957, updated 2003).
Limited licenses are a benefit to cosmetology business owners and allow a cosmetology business owner to operate his or her business without having all the required tools and equipment for the services which fall under the cosmetology scope of practice. If a business owner wishes to add new services in the future, a new inspection is required to ensure the new equipment, tools, and products meet safety and sanitation requirements.
Note: Effective October 2023, the South Dakota Cosmetology Commission issued a ‘one-time’ paper license to operators and businesses. There is no expiration date printed on the license, instead there is a QR code printed on the license. By scanning the QR code, a customer, licensee, or member of the public can search for an operator or business by name or license number to check the status of a license. Displayed on the licensee’s profile is the name of the business or operator, the license expiration date, and any relevant disciplinary action taken against the licensee. If an operator or business license has lapsed for more than 30 days, the search result will state “Records Found: 0”.
A new paper license is issued only if one of the following events occurs:
1. The name of the operator or business changes
2. The license is lost or damaged
3. The operator attains new certification that needs to be listed on the license
4. The business moves from limited to full license status
Business licenses issued by the Commission are white, contain a square QR code on the face of the license, and contain the signature of the Commission President. Operator licenses issued by the Commission are green, contain a square QR code on the face of the license, and contain the signature of the Commission President. Questions concerning licenses can be addressed to: cosmetology@state.sd.us.