This bill amends existing South Dakota law to clarify the authority of the Cosmetology Commission regarding the crediting of work experience towards educational hours for out-of-state licensure applicants. Specifically, it allows the commission to issue licenses to applicants who hold cosmetology-related licenses from other jurisdictions, provided they have sufficient relevant work experience to compensate for any educational deficiencies. The bill also mandates that the commission establish rules to define the amount of work experience that can be credited, with specific provisions for cosmetologists, nail technicians, and estheticians.

Additionally, the bill outlines the process for applicants seeking licensure by reciprocity, including the requirement to submit an application and pay the necessary fees. It specifies that applicants may earn credit for work experience—up to 750 hours for cosmetologists, 200 hours for nail technicians, and 300 hours for estheticians—where two hours of work experience equate to one hour of school education. Furthermore, if the work experience was obtained more than five years prior to the application, the applicant must complete a commission-approved safety and infection control procedures course to receive credit. The bill requires the commission to file amendments to existing rules by September 1, 2026, to implement these changes.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 01/28/2026: 36-15-13, 36-15-19.2
House Engrossed, 02/11/2026: 36-15-13, 36-15-19.2
Senate Commerce and Energy Engrossed, 02/24/2026: 36-15-13, 36-15-19.2
Senate Engrossed, 03/03/2026: 36-15-13, 36-15-19.2
Enrolled, 03/05/2026: 36-15-13, 36-15-19.2