Field guide · Aesthetics

Can an RN Inject Botox in South Dakota?

Built by Keegan, a travel RN · verified against official board sources

Aesthetic nurse injector · South Dakota · Last reviewed 2026-05-29

Short answer for South Dakota: Botox/neurotoxins: yes (conditional). Temporary dermal fillers (e.g. Restylane, Juvederm): yes (conditional). The SD BON's RN procedure list names BOTH as permitted injectables, under a written medical order/protocol with documented training and a provider assessment. (LPNs: neuromodulators only; fillers are NOT on the LPN list.) Below is the framework, who sets your scope, and how to get trained.

How RN aesthetic injecting works

Aesthetic injectables (Botox/neurotoxins, dermal fillers) are considered the practice of medicine, so an RN performs them under the delegation and supervision of a licensed physician (and in some states a nurse practitioner or physician assistant), not independently.
Before an RN injects, the prescriber generally must assess the patient and issue an individualized order; a standing order alone usually isn't enough. (Med spas often call this pre-treatment assessment a 'good faith exam,' but that's industry terminology, not a defined legal term in most state nurse practice acts.) Whether the assessment can be done via telehealth varies by state.
Most settings require a medical director relationship; med spas are commonly owned or medically directed by a physician or qualified mid-level provider.
Your exact scope (what you can inject, under whose supervision, and under what conditions) is set by your state Board of Nursing together with the state Medical Board. This is the part that varies, so always confirm with both before you practice.

Who sets your scope in South Dakota

What we found for South Dakota

Board-sourced

Can an RN inject?: Botox/neurotoxins: yes (conditional). Temporary dermal fillers (e.g. Restylane, Juvederm): yes (conditional). The SD BON's RN procedure list names BOTH as permitted injectables, under a written medical order/protocol with documented training and a provider assessment. (LPNs: neuromodulators only; fillers are NOT on the LPN list.)
Who supervises / orders: An authorized medical provider (physician, certified nurse practitioner (CNP), or PA) writes and signs the order/protocol and performs the client assessment. An RN doesn't require on-site supervision; an LPN does (SDCL 36-9-4).
Pre-treatment exam: Required. The authorized medical provider must perform a medical assessment (in person or via telehealth) each episode of care before the procedure is delegated.
Medical director / ownership: A written, dated, signed medical order or protocol (reviewed annually) from an authorized medical provider is required for each procedure. Laser use is limited to physicians, NPs, and PAs.

South Dakota RNs may administer both neuromodulators and temporary dermal fillers as a delegated medical act, given additional education, demonstrated competency, a provider assessment, and a written order/protocol. LPNs may do neuromodulators but not fillers. Lasers are restricted to physicians, NPs, and PAs.

Source: South Dakota Board of Nursing: Dermatological Procedures by Licensed Nurses (revised Nov 2024; verified June 2026). Rules change, so confirm before you practice.

Your exact scope in South Dakota (what you can inject, under whose supervision, and under what conditions) is determined by the South Dakota Board of Nursing together with the South Dakota medical board. Because aesthetic injectables are the practice of medicine, both boards matter.

Confirm these before you practice:

• Whether South Dakota requires a physician (vs. NP/PA) as the supervising/delegating provider
• The good-faith exam rule (in person vs. telehealth, and how often)
• Medical director requirements and any med-spa ownership rules
• Whether any specific training or competency documentation is expected

This page is general guidance, not legal advice. The South Dakota Board of Nursing and state medical board are the authoritative sources.

How to get started

1Build a clinical foundation first: most reputable programs and employers expect an active RN license and solid nursing experience (often ~1–2 years).
2Complete hands-on training from a reputable program (see the vetting checklist below); live-patient injection practice matters far more than a slide deck.
3Line up a supervising physician / medical director, since you'll inject under delegation, not independently.
4Confirm your scope and supervision requirements with your state Board of Nursing and Medical Board.
5Find a role (med spa, dermatology/plastics practice) or, if permitted and you have the backing, build toward your own client base.
6Carry your own professional liability coverage appropriate to aesthetic practice.

Choosing a training program

Substantial hands-on, live-patient injection time, not just lecture or a single day.
Real depth on facial anatomy, product knowledge, and, critically, complication recognition and management (e.g., vascular occlusion).
Qualified medical faculty actively practicing in aesthetics.
Clear post-course support and a path to supervised practice, not just a certificate.
Be skeptical of one-day 'certification' courses that promise a career in a weekend; complications are real and training depth is what protects you and your patients.

Pay and trade-offs

Injector pay, training costs, and the pros and cons of the work don't change at the state line. They're covered in depth in the national guide.

What aesthetic nurses earn ·Pros and cons

Aesthetic nursing in South Dakota: FAQ

Can an RN inject Botox in South Dakota?: Botox/neurotoxins: yes (conditional). Temporary dermal fillers (e.g. Restylane, Juvederm): yes (conditional). The SD BON's RN procedure list names BOTH as permitted injectables, under a written medical order/protocol with documented training and a provider assessment. (LPNs: neuromodulators only; fillers are NOT on the LPN list.) Supervision: An authorized medical provider (physician, certified nurse practitioner (CNP), or PA) writes and signs the order/protocol and performs the client assessment. An RN doesn't require on-site supervision; an LPN does (SDCL 36-9-4). The binding rules are set by the South Dakota Board of Nursing and the South Dakota medical board. Confirm current requirements before you practice. Note: South Dakota RNs may administer both neuromodulators and temporary dermal fillers as a delegated medical act, given additional education, demonstrated competency, a provider assessment, and a written order/protocol. LPNs may do neuromodulators but not fillers. Lasers are restricted to physicians, NPs, and PAs.
Who decides what aesthetic procedures an RN can perform in South Dakota?: Your scope in South Dakota is determined jointly by the South Dakota Board of Nursing (nursing scope and delegation rules) and the state medical board (because injectables are the practice of medicine). Position statements and regulations from these boards are the authoritative source, not a training company.

Other states

Aesthetic injecting in other states

See the full aesthetic injector guide

Breaking into aesthetic nursing?

Injector training routes, state scope-of-practice changes, and pay guides, straight to your inbox.

No spam. We'll never sell your email. See our Privacy Policy.

Keep your South Dakota RN license active while you pivot, free

Your RN license is the foundation of an aesthetics career. Track renewal and CE in one place, free. Setup takes 60 seconds.