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Oversight · part of The Practice Perimeter

⛔ SOUTH DAKOTA DEFINES THE ESTHETICIAN'S LIMIT ANATOMICALLY, WHICH IS RARE AND WORTH READING TWICE. The practice of esthetics is confined to the NONINVASIVE care of the skin, and the statute says what noninvasive means: CONFINED TO THE NONLIVING CELLS OF THE STRATUM CORNEUM OF THE EPIDERMIS. It adds two limits in the same breath — the practices must be in a SUPERFICIAL MODE and NOT FOR THE TREATMENT OF MEDICAL DISORDERS, and LIVING CELLS MAY NEVER BE ALTERED, CUT, OR DAMAGED. On the medical side the practice of medicine includes, without limitation, recommending, prescribing or directing for the use of any person any drug, medicine, APPARATUS, or other agency for the cure, relief or palliation of any ailment or disease of the mind or body. And within a medical corporation, medical or surgical treatment, consultation or advice may be given by employees of the corporation ONLY IF THEY ARE LICENSED under the Medical Practice Act.

Drawn from 5 verified rules in this section · regulatory monitoring, not legal advice

The rest of what South Dakota says on this

Every other rule we have verified under physician supervision & delegation, each linked to its primary source.

  • A person is engaged in the practice of esthetics if that person, for compensation, a fee, or any valuable consideration, engages in beautifying, massaging, cleansing, exfoliating, stimulating, or applying oils, creams, cosmetic preparations, make-up, facial treatments, body treatments, body wraps, antiseptics, scrubs, clays, lotions, masks, waxes, or other preparations for the noninvasive care of the skin. For purposes of this subdivision, noninvasive means confined to the nonliving cells of the stratum corneum of the epidermis. 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.

    S.D. Codified Laws §36-15-2.2(1) · verified Sep 3, 2026

  • For the purpose of this chapter, "practice of medicine or osteopathy" includes, but not by way of limitation, to append or prefix the letters M.D., or D.O. or the title of Doctor or Dr. or Specialist or Osteopath or any other sign or appellation in a medical sense to one's name or to profess publicly to be a physician or surgeon or to recommend, prescribe or direct for the use of any person any drug, medicine, apparatus, or other agency for the cure, relief or palliation of any ailment or disease of the mind or body or the cure or relief of any wound, fracture or bodily injury or deformity.

    S.D. Codified Laws §36-4-9 · verified Sep 3, 2026

  • One or more persons licensed pursuant to chapter 36-4, hereinafter referred to as the Medical Practice Act, may associate to form a corporation pursuant to the provisions of law pertaining to private corporations to own, operate, and maintain an establishment for the study, diagnosis, and treatment of human ailments and injuries, whether physical or mental; provided medical or surgical treatment, consultation, or advice may be given by employees of the corporation only if they are licensed pursuant to the Medical Practice Act.

    S.D. Codified Laws §47-11-1 · verified Sep 3, 2026

  • None of the following constitute the practice of cosmetology: any person practicing permanent removal of hair by the use of a galvanic or thermalytic needle known as electrolysis.

    S.D. Codified Laws §36-15-2.1(1) · verified Sep 3, 2026

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← All South Dakota rules and changes · MedSpaRadar is regulatory monitoring and reference, not legal, medical, or compliance advice. Verify against the linked primary source and consult qualified counsel before acting — rules change and turn on your specific facts. Legislative data via LegiScan (CC BY 4.0).