State Licensing Requirements in ILLINOIS
Cosmetologists
Any individual wishing to engage in cosmetology shall obtain a license in compliance with the Illinois Compiled Statutes and shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant shall be at least 16 years old;
- Applicant shall have received a certificate of graduation from a school of secondary education or equivalent; or
- Applicant is beyond the age of compulsory school attendance;
- Applicant shall graduate from a Board approved school and complete the required hours of instruction;
- Applicant shall pass an examination through PSI;
- Applicant shall submit the application with the required documentation;
- Applicant shall pay any required fees.
Each Individual who seeks admission to an examination shall complete the following:
- Applicant shall successfully complete 1,500 hours of instruction;
- Applicant shall take a written examination testing both theoretical and practical knowledge;
- Upon passing, Applicant shall pay the required fees.
The initial renewal of a cosmetology license requires continuing education. Cosmetology licenses expire on September 30th of odd numbered years. 14 hours of continuing education are required for cosmetology licenses and 24 hours are required for cosmetology teachers. The continuing education hours must include:
- •1 hour of domestic violence and sexual assault awareness.
Apprenticeships are not permitted in Illinois. Cosmetology education must be received in a Board approved school. However, schools do offer an internship program which can count for up to 150 hours of the 1,500 required for licensure.
Reciprocity is not offered in Illinois. To obtain a license in Illinois, based on holding a current valid license in another state, jurisdiction, or country, an Applicant must submit an Endorsement Application. The previous license must have been received through substantially equivalent means. If license was obtained outside of the country, 3 years of verified work experience are required. Applicants will be given 300 hours of educational credit for every year that they have been lawfully employed, but Applicants must provide evidence of work experience. The Board determines on a case by case basis whether the licenses will transfer.
Any individual wishing to engage in cosmetology instruction shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant shall be 18 years or older;
- Applicant shall have graduated from high school or its equivalent;
- Applicant shall hold a current cosmetology license;
- Applicant shall complete a teacher instruction program of 500 hours and has 2 years of practical experience; or
- Applicant shall complete 1,000 hours of a teacher instruction program; or
- Applicant shall complete the barber teacher training and then complete a supplemental cosmetology course;
- Applicant shall pass an examination;
- Applicant shall pay any required fees.
Hair Stylists
Barbers
Any individual wishing to engage in barbering shall obtain a license in compliance with the Illinois Compiled Statutes and shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant shall be at least 16 years old;
- Applicant shall have received a certificate of graduation from a school of secondary education or equivalent; or
- Applicant is beyond the age of compulsory school attendance;
- Applicant shall graduate from a Board approved school and complete the required hours of instruction;
- Applicant shall pass an examination through PSI;
- Applicant shall submit the application with the required documentation;
- Applicant shall pay any required fees.
Each Individual who seeks admission to an examination shall complete the following:
- Applicant shall successfully complete 1,500 hours of instruction;
- Applicant shall take a written examination testing both theoretical and practical knowledge;
- Upon passing, Applicant shall pay the required fees.
There are no continuing education requirements. Licenses expire on July 31st of every odd numbered year.
Apprenticeships are not permitted in Illinois. An Applicant’s training must be received from an approved barber school.
Any individual wishing to engage in barbering instruction shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant shall be 18 years or older;
- Applicant shall have graduated from high school or its equivalent;
- Applicant shall hold a current barber or cosmetology license;
- Applicant shall complete a teacher instruction program of 500 hours and has 3 years of practical experience; or
- Applicant shall complete 1,000 hours of a teacher instruction program; or
- Applicant shall complete the cosmetology teacher training and then complete a supplemental barbering course;
- Applicant shall pass an examination;
- Applicant shall pay any required fees.
Estheticians
Any individual wishing to engage in esthetics shall obtain a license in compliance with the Illinois Compiled Statutes and shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant shall be at least 16 years old;
- Applicant shall have received a certificate of graduation from a school of secondary education or equivalent; or
- Applicant is beyond the age of compulsory school attendance;
- Applicant shall graduate from a Board approved school and complete the required hours of instruction;
- Applicant shall take and pass an examination through PSI;
- Applicant shall submit the application with the required documentation;
- Applicant shall pay any required fees.
Each individual who seeks admission to an examination shall complete the following:
- Applicant shall successfully complete 750 hours of instruction;
- Applicant shall take a written examination testing both theoretical and practical knowledge;
- Upon passing, Applicant shall pay the required fees.
The initial renewal of an esthetician license requires continuing education. Esthetician licenses expire on September 30th of odd numbered years. 10 hours of continuing education are required for an esthetician license and 20 hours are required for esthetics teachers. The continuing education hours must include:
- 1 hour of domestic violence and sexual assault awareness.
Apprenticeships are not permitted in Illinois. Instruction must be received in a Board approved school.
Reciprocity is not offered in Illinois. To obtain a license in Illinois, based on holding a current valid license in another state, jurisdiction, or country, an Applicant must submit an Endorsement Application. The previous license must have been received through substantially equivalent means. Applicants will be given 300 hours of educational credit for every year that they have been lawfully employed, but Applicants must provide evidence of work experience. The Board determines on a case by case basis whether the licenses will transfer.
Any individual wishing to become an esthetician instructor shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant shall be 18 years or older;
- Applicant shall have graduated from high school or its equivalent;
- Applicant shall hold a current esthetician or cosmetology license;
- Applicant shall complete a teacher instruction program of 500 hours and has 2 years of practical experience; or
- Applicant shall complete 750 hours of a teacher instruction program; or
- Applicant shall pass an examination;
- Applicant shall pay any required fees.
Nail Technicians/Manicurist
Any individual wishing to engage in nail technology shall obtain a license in compliance with the Illinois Compiled Statutes and shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant shall be at least 16 years old;
- Applicant shall have received a certificate of graduation from a school of secondary education or equivalent; or
- Applicant is beyond the age of compulsory school attendance;
- Applicant shall graduate from a Board approved school and complete the required hours of instruction;
- Applicant shall take and pass an examination through PSI;
- Applicant shall submit the application with the required documentation;
- Applicant shall pay any required fees.
Each individual who seeks admission to an examination shall complete the following:
- Applicant shall successfully complete 350 hours of instruction;
- Applicant shall take a written examination testing both theoretical and practical knowledge;
- Upon passing, Applicant shall pay the required fees.
The initial renewal of a nail technician license requires continuing education. Nail technician licenses expire on October 31st of even numbered years. 10 hours are required for a nail technician license and 20 hours are required for nail technology teachers. The continuing education hours must include:
- 1 hour of domestic violence and sexual assault awareness.
Apprenticeships are not permitted in Illinois. Instruction must be received in a Board approved school.
Reciprocity is not offered in Illinois. To obtain a license in Illinois, based on holding a current valid license in another state, jurisdiction, or country, an Applicant must submit an Endorsement Application. The previous license must have been received through substantially equivalent means. Applicants will be given 75 hours of educational credit for every year that they have been lawfully employed, but Applicants must provide evidence of work experience. An Applicant who has graduated from a nail technology program in another jurisdiction with less than 350 hours may only acquire a maximum of 50 hours of nail technology training from a licensed Illinois cosmetology or nail technology school. The Board determines on a case by case basis whether the licenses will transfer.
If the previous experience and education are not enough the Board will ask the Applicant to pass an examination. They may require additional education before this.
Any individual wishing to engage in manicuring instruction shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant shall be 18 years or older;
- Applicant shall have graduated from high school or its equivalent;
- Applicant shall hold a current nail technician or cosmetology license;
- Applicant shall complete a teacher instruction program of 500 hours and has 2 years of practical experience; or
- Applicant shall complete 625 hours of a teacher instruction program;
- Applicant shall pass an examination;
- Applicant shall pay any required fees.
Make-up Artists
Licensing of Mobile Cosmetology Services
High School Cosmetology Programs
- Body Piercing
- Electrology
- Hair Braiding
- Massage Therapy
- Tattooing