South Dakota microblading and permanent makeup rules
Do you need a license to do microblading in South Dakota?
Not stated at the state level. South Dakota has no state license for microblading or permanent makeup artists. State law counts microblading as tattooing and lets cities license tattoo practitioners, so check with the city where you will work. Ask your county or city health department before you start. Below: the studio license, who licenses the work, local rules and what South Dakota says about microblading itself, each answered from South Dakota's own statutes, rules or agency pages, read on October 24, 2026.
- Artist license
- Not stated
- Studio license
- Not stated
- Artist fee
- Not stated
- Local rules
- County or city too
No state agency licenses the work; counties or cities do.The state's own words
The artist
Do you need a license to do permanent makeup in South Dakota?
Not stated at the state level. South Dakota has no state license for microblading or permanent makeup artists. State law counts microblading as tattooing and lets cities license tattoo practitioners, so check with the city where you will work. Ask your county or city health department before you start.
- License needed
- Not stated
The studio
Does a microblading studio need a license in South Dakota?
Not stated. South Dakota has no state studio license; state law sets minimum sanitation standards for tattoo establishments, and cities may license and inspect them. Ask your county or city health department.
- License needed
- Not stated
Microblading by name
Is microblading considered tattooing in South Dakota?
Yes, by name. South Dakota law defines tattooing to include microblading and similar techniques that simulate natural hair.
Local rules
Do counties or cities license permanent makeup in South Dakota?
Yes. State law lets municipalities license tattoo practitioners and inspect their establishments.
Good to know
What else South Dakota asks of permanent makeup artists
- A tattoo artist may not provide services to a patron without first obtaining a signed consent.
- Artists must keep a patron record (name, address, age, consent form, and tattoo locations and description) for at least two years.
- The Cosmetology Commission does not regulate permanent makeup and tattooing, so a cosmetology license does not cover this work.
Sources
What South Dakota's official pages say
Each answer above, in the words of South Dakota's own statutes, rules or agency pages, read on October 24, 2026. Rules change, and counties can add their own: confirm with your county or city health department before you start.
- Local rules
“Any municipality may regulate the practice of tattooing, saline tattoo removal, and body piercing by licensing practitioners of tattooing, saline tattoo removal, or body piercing;”
sdlegislature.gov - Microblading by name
“The term includes microblading and similar techniques used to partially or fully simulate natural hair”
sdlegislature.gov - Also good to know
“A tattoo or saline tattoo removal artist may not provide services to a patron without first obtaining a signed consent.”
sdlegislature.gov - Also good to know
“This record must be available for inspection and kept for a period of at least two years.”
sdlegislature.gov - Also good to know
“permanent makeup and tattooing”
dlr.sd.gov
Questions
South Dakota microblading licenses, answered
Do you need a license to do microblading in South Dakota?
Is microblading considered tattooing or permanent makeup in South Dakota?
Does a permanent makeup studio need a license in South Dakota?
Does a cosmetology or esthetician license cover microblading in South Dakota?
Plan the rest
Licensed and ready to book clients
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- Microneedling, peels, laser and Botox: what an esthetician may do in South Dakota
- What South Dakota requires to open a salon or studio
- What South Dakota inspectors check in a salon
- Renting a room or a chair? Start from a booth rental agreement
Microblading rules in other states
Ready when you are
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