To receive a cosmetology license in Illinois or a license in one of the other beauty practitioner disciplines in this state you have to attend a licensed school and complete the minimum required training hours as specified by the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR) before you can take the exams. An application fee of $30 must be submitted with the license application.
Minimum Required Training Hours
- Cosmetology: 1500 hours for license
- Barber: 1500 hours license or Cosmetology license + 1000 barbering hours.
- Esthetics: 750 hours for license
- Hair Braiding: 300 hours for license
- Nail Technology: 350 hours for license
Examinations are already stressful, but a lack of information or misinformation only adds unnecessary stress. Therefore, we advise every applicant to talk to their beauty school teachers to clear all questions. We also linked to the administrative code and its sub-chapter about the cosmetology license examination for your information. Please also contact the IDFPR for further questions.
Contact Information Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation
Main Offices
Springfield Office
320 West Washington Street
Springfield, Illinois 62786
Phone: 217 785 0820
Toll-Free: 1-888-4REGUL8 (1-888-473-4858)
Chicago Office
100 West Randolph, 9th Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60601
Phone: 1-888-4REGUL8 (1-888-473-4858)
For all professional licensing questions call 1-800-560-6420
Cosmetology License Renewal
In Illinois, cosmetology licenses must be renewed every two years. Cosmetologists need to certify that they have completed fourteen (14) continuing education units in order to renew.
Out-of-state License
You may be eligible for a cosmetology license in Illinois by endorsement. Rules state in the administrative code Title 68 Section 1175.420 Endorsement:
b) “An applicant who is currently licensed as a cosmetologist in another state or territory of the United States and who are seeking licensure in Illinois by endorsement shall file an application, on forms provided by the Division, that shall include:
- An official certification of licensure from the state board in the applicant’s jurisdiction of original licensure and the state in which the applicant is currently licensed and practicing, if other than the original, stating the applicant’s legal name, the cosmetologist license number, the original issuance date, the expiration date, a brief description of any licensure examination taken to qualify for the license and the grades received, and whether the applicant’s file contains any record of disciplinary actions taken or pending;
- Proof of any name change (i.e., marriage license, divorce decree, affidavit or court order) if name is other than that shown on submitted documents; and
- The required fee set forth in Section 1175.100.”
The same sections define the conditions for transfer of a foreign license.
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Disclaimer: We do not guarantee the accuracy of the above information. Ultimately the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation determines license requirements and will provide you with all needed information. We are not affiliated with the Department in any way. The information on this page was last updated on 11/13/2017.