South Dakota esthetician scope of practice
What can an esthetician do in South Dakota?
South Dakota licenses estheticians as an Esthetician through the South Dakota Cosmetology Commission. A basic esthetics license covers noninvasive skin care, eyebrow and eyelash grooming, and hair removal by nonpermanent means such as tweezing and waxing, confined to the nonliving cells of the stratum corneum and done in a superficial mode. Below: whether that license covers microneedling, chemical peels, dermaplaning, laser and IPL, and Botox or fillers, each answered from South Dakota's own statutes, board rules or board statements, read on October 27, 2026.
- Microneedling
- Not allowed
- Chemical peels
- With conditions
- Dermaplaning
- Not allowed
- Laser and IPL
- Not allowed
- Botox and fillers
- Not allowed
Licensed by South Dakota Cosmetology Commission.The board's page The state's own words
Microneedling
Can estheticians do microneedling in South Dakota?
No. The Cosmetology Commission lists microneedling among prohibited equipment and procedures for licensees, and the statute bars altering living cells.
Chemical peels
Can estheticians do chemical peels in South Dakota?
Only with conditions. Chemical exfoliation is allowed only if it stays within the nonliving cells of the stratum corneum in a superficial mode, and the Commission says only certain types are allowed; deeper peels are outside the license.
Dermaplaning
Can estheticians do dermaplaning in South Dakota?
No. The Cosmetology Commission lists dermaplane procedures among prohibited equipment and procedures for licensees.
Laser and IPL
Can estheticians do laser hair removal in South Dakota?
No. Laser hair removal is not allowed for licensees, and any treatment that alters living cells is outside the esthetics license.
Botox and fillers
Can estheticians do Botox or fillers in South Dakota?
No. Injections go beneath the nonliving cells of the stratum corneum, which the esthetics license does not allow.
Advanced license
Does South Dakota have a master esthetician license?
South Dakota's official pages we read name no advanced or master esthetician license; the basic Esthetician license is the one that sets the scope.
Good to know
What else South Dakota says about an esthetician's scope
- A product or device being legal in all states does not make it legal for a South Dakota esthetician; the Commission says to check how invasive the procedure is.
- Esthetics may only be practiced in a licensed salon or booth.
- Working in a medical office under a physician's on-site supervision does not change an esthetician's scope of the license.
Sources
What South Dakota's official pages say
Each answer above, in the words of South Dakota's own statutes, board rules or board statements, read on October 27, 2026. Scope rules change and boards interpret them: confirm with the South Dakota Cosmetology Commission before you offer a treatment.
- The license and its scope
“esthetician manager titles in South Dakota, and these must be licensed by the”
dlr.sd.gov “Such practices shall be in a superficial mode and not for the treatment of medical disorders, and living cells may never be altered, cut, or damaged”
sdlegislature.gov “noninvasive means confined to the nonliving cells of the stratum corneum of the epidermis”
sdlegislature.gov “Removing superfluous hair by nonpermanent means, including tweezing and waxing.”
sdlegislature.gov - Microneedling
“Dermaplane procedures, dermabrasion procedures, ultrasound equipment, microneedling”
dlr.sd.gov - Chemical peels
“chemical exfoliation (only certain types)”
dlr.sd.gov - Laser and IPL
“Hair removal by lasers is not allowed.”
dlr.sd.gov “living cells may never be altered, cut, or damaged”
sdlegislature.gov - The board
“The mission of the South Dakota Cosmetology Commission is to ensure the health and safety of our citizens as they use cosmetology, esthetics and nail technology services.”
dlr.sd.gov - Also good to know
“that does NOT mean that it is always legal for an esthetician to perform.”
dlr.sd.gov - Also good to know
“esthetics may only be practiced in a licensed salon or booth.”
dlr.sd.gov - Also good to know
“does not alter the scope of the license”
dlr.sd.gov
Questions
South Dakota esthetician license, answered
What is the esthetician scope of practice in South Dakota?
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Licensed, in scope, and ready to book clients
- The South Dakota esthetician license: training hours, exams, fees and renewal
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- Microblading and permanent makeup in South Dakota: the license it needs
- Opening your own skin care studio in South Dakota: the salon license
Esthetician scope in other states
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