Body Piercer / South Dakota
2026 data South Dakota board official source

South Dakota Body Piercer 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

Performs body piercing. Licensed in most states for health/safety.

What the South Dakota data shows for Body Piercers

South Dakota's path to body piercer licensure runs through 1,500 hours of approved instruction and a passing score on a state-approved exam, plus a criminal history screening. South Dakota folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Cosmetology School".

The initial price tag is $75 every 2 years. South Dakota doesn't require continuing education for this license, so upkeep costs stay confined to the renewal fee itself.

South Dakota handles out-of-state credentials on a case-by-case basis instead of a standing reciprocity list.

Licensing Ease Score

C-
Licensing Ease Score
53/100
Body Piercer · 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 F
1,500 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee B+
$75
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden N/A
N/A
Renewal fee annualized over the renewal cycle
Continuing Education N/A
N/A
Continuing-education hours annualized over the renewal cycle
Experience Required N/A
N/A
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in South Dakota

Education / Training Hours
Cosmetology School
1,500 hours
Exam Requirement
Required
Initial License Fee
$75
Renewal Fee
N/A
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Required

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Body Piercer 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 Body Piercer in South Dakota? ▼
South Dakota requires 1500 education/training hours, passing an exam, and an initial fee of $75. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Body Piercer in South Dakota? ▼
South Dakota licenses body piercers who complete its requirements (1500 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the South Dakota licensing board.
Can I transfer my Body Piercer license to South Dakota from another state? ▼
Out-of-state body piercer credentials get a case-by-case review in South Dakota rather than automatic recognition. Interstate compacts exist for a number of professions and might still help. Confirm the details with the South Dakota licensing board.
Does South Dakota require a background check for Body Piercer licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for body piercer licensing in South Dakota. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.

Related Guides

What to do with this body piercer license

Body Piercer in South Dakota is one requirement row in a body piercer-wide, 50-state comparison.

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 PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

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