Barber / South Dakota
2026 data South Dakota board official source

South Dakota Barber License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Cuts and styles hair. Licensed in all 50 states and DC.

What the South Dakota data shows for Barbers

To practice as a barber in South Dakota, the state licensing board requires 1,041 documented education or training hours, a passing score on State Barber Board Exam. A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 16 years old. The regulation sits under South Dakota's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Barber School".

The initial price tag is $45, and renewal costs $29 every 2 years. South Dakota doesn't require continuing education for this license, so upkeep costs stay confined to the renewal fee itself.

On reciprocity, barbers should know: Varies by state — check with state board.

Licensing Ease Score

B+
Licensing Ease Score
79/100
Barber · South Dakota

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training D
1,041 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee A+
$45
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden A+
$15/yr
$29 every 2 years
Continuing Education A+
None required
No continuing-education mandate
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in South Dakota

Education / Training Hours
Barber School
1,041 hours
Exam Requirement
State Barber Board Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$45
Renewal Fee
$29
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
16 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Barber All South Dakota licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with South Dakota licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Barber in South Dakota? ▼
South Dakota's requirements cover 1041 hours of education or training, the State Barber Board Exam exam, and an initial fee of $45. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Barber in South Dakota? ▼
South Dakota licenses barbers who complete its requirements (1041 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the South Dakota licensing board.
Can I transfer my Barber license to South Dakota from another state? ▼
Here's how reciprocity typically plays out for barbers: Varies by state — check with state board. Many occupations are additionally covered by interstate licensing compacts that ease cross-state moves. Check with the South Dakota licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does South Dakota require a background check for Barber licensing? ▼
Yes, South Dakota requires a criminal background check as part of the barber licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.

Related Guides

What to do with this barber license

Barber in South Dakota, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a barber-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how South Dakota's barber requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Barber in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state barber license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how South Dakota's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. South Dakota overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the South Dakota licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the August 2026 PlainCredential comparison corpus maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.