How to get a Cosmetologist license in Illinois

Illinois licenses cosmetologists statewide through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Professional Regulation.¹ For the Cosmetologist license you need at least 1,500 clock hours² of education, a passing score on the Illinois cosmetology licensing examination² and a criminal background check². The board lists $30 for the initial license³, $200 for the exam³ and $30 for the application³, each a separate charge. You renew every 2 years² and complete at least 14 hours of continuing education⁴.

Last checked November 7, 2026 · 7 official sources

Who issues it

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Professional Regulation

Training and experience

Training: at least 1,500 clock hours²

Exam

Illinois cosmetology licensing examination²

Fees the board lists

Initial license fee: $30³
Exam fee: $200³
Application fee: $30³

Renewal

Every 2 years², at least 14 hours of continuing education⁴

From another state

License by endorsement and Exam waiver² Details

On this page

Illinois cosmetologist licenses
Applies to every license level
Requirements for a Cosmetologist license
How much a Cosmetologist license costs
How to apply
Renewal and continuing education
Moving to Illinois with a license from another state
Cosmetology Clinic Teacher
Cosmetology Teacher
City and county rules
Check a license or report a problem
Laws and rules
Rule changes since January 2024
Common questions
Cosmetologist licenses in other states

Illinois cosmetologist licenses

Illinois issues 3 cosmetologist credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

License	Training or experience	Exam	Application or license fee
Cosmetologist	Training 1,500 clock hours²	Yes⁵	$30³
Cosmetology Clinic Teacher	–	–	$30³
Cosmetology Teacher	Training 500 clock hours⁶ Experience 2 years⁶	Yes⁶	$30³

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for several of the Illinois cosmetologist licenses on this page, so they are shown once here, with the licenses they apply to. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

1. Every license level (all 3)

Requirements

Background check: Background check required²
If you answer yes to a conviction question, send a personal statement and certified court records, plus parole/probation statements where they apply. Questions also cover health conditions that limit practice, earlier license discipline and non-honourable discharge.²

Fees

Fee	Amount	Paid to	Notes
Initial license fee	$30³	Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Professional Regulation	Not refundable. Effective August 10, 2018
License verification to another state	$20³	Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Professional Regulation	Effective August 10, 2018

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

Renewal

How often: Every 2 years²⁷⁶
Renewal fee: $25³ (Per year of the 2-year license period)
Late renewal: Reinstatement fee: $50³
Renew online: online-dfpr.micropact.com¹

2. Every license level except Cosmetology Teacher

Fees

Fee	Amount	Paid to	Notes
Duplicate or replacement license	$20³	Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Professional Regulation	Effective August 10, 2018

3. Every license level except Cosmetology Clinic Teacher

Fees

Fee	Amount	Paid to	Notes
Application fee	$30³	Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Professional Regulation	Acceptance of Examination applicants only (passed another jurisdiction's exam, not licensed). Not refundable. Effective August 10, 2018

4. Every license level except Cosmetologist

Renewal

Continuing education: At least 24 hours each renewal period⁷
If it expires: Lapsed licenses are restored by application (restoration fee $50 plus lapsed renewal fees, up to $200).³

Requirements for a Cosmetologist license

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2 and group 3 under Applies to every license level.

Minimum age: 16 years old⁵
High school diploma or GED: Required⁵
Education or training: At least 1,500 clock hours²
Graduate from a 1,500-clock-hour cosmetology program at an IDFPR-licensed cosmetology school, with a passing grade on the school's final exam.²
Who may teach it: A cosmetology school licensed and approved by IDFPR (or a barber school, under Section 3-3 of the Act). Training elsewhere in the US or abroad must substantially comply with Illinois requirements; foreign training may need a credential evaluation and a 250-hour refresher course.⁵
Alternative: Licensed barbers and barber teachers may complete a 500-hour supplemental cosmetology program instead.²
Alternative: Licensed estheticians and nail technicians take the 1,500-hour program, and the school credits coursework common to both.²
Education or training: Since January 1, 2026, original-license applicants must complete a Department-approved abnormal skin growth (melanoma) course. IDFPR approves the online "Skinny on Skin" course by Impact Melanoma; upload the certificate with your application.²
Who may teach it: "Skinny on Skin" by Impact Melanoma, Inc. is the approved online course.²
Exam: Illinois cosmetology licensing examination²
When you can take it: You are approved to sit for the exam only after all required supporting documents have been submitted, reviewed and approved.²
Time limit: An application stays active for three years from the date IDFPR receives it.²
Also required: All communication about your application goes to your email address of record. Foreign-language documents need a notarised English translation.²

How much a Cosmetologist license costs

Fee	Amount
Exam fee	$200³

How to apply

Complete the 1,500-hour cosmetology program at an IDFPR-licensed school and pass the school's final exam.²
Complete the approved abnormal skin growth course and keep the certificate.²
Apply to IDFPR with your official school transcript, the $30 license fee, and answers to the personal history questions. Do not start until you have all documents.² online-dfpr.micropact.com¹
Once approved, take the cosmetology exam and pay the exam fee ($200 per the IDFPR fee table).²

Apply online: online-dfpr.micropact.com¹
Processing time: After a renewal, allow 2-4 business days for the license to post and its status to update. No processing time is published for new applications.¹

Renewal and continuing education

When it expires: All cosmetologist licenses expire on September 30 of each odd-numbered year, whatever the issue date. You can renew during the month before expiry.²
Continuing education: At least 14 hours each renewal period⁴
Required topics: 1 hour of sexual harassment prevention training each renewal, starting with the first renewal.⁴
13 hours in approved subject areas, e.g. advanced product chemistry, machines and implements, sanitary procedures, hazardous chemicals, anatomy of skin, scalp, hair and nails, human relations, and management and marketing.⁴
At the first renewal one hour must be domestic violence and sexual assault awareness education; at later renewals one hour may be.⁴
Approved courses: CE must come from an IDFPR-registered CE sponsor or other qualifying provider within the 2 years before expiry. A CE hour is at least 50 minutes. Online courses must include an exam.⁴
Exemptions: Waivers for good cause: full-time military service, incapacitating illness, or hardship (no local courses, financial hardship, caring for an ill family member). File the waiver request with the renewal.⁴
No profession-specific CE for the first renewal after the original license.⁴
If it expires: If you miss the renewal window and the portal will not let you renew, request a reinstatement application from IDFPR. Restoration costs $50 plus lapsed renewal fees, up to $200. Restoring to active status also needs proof of CE.¹
Working on an expired license is unlicensed activity and grounds for discipline. Not receiving a renewal notice is no excuse.⁷
An inactive license can usually be reactivated without paying lapsed renewal fees.²

Renewal planner

Enter the expiration date printed on your Illinois Cosmetologist license. The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.

Expiration date

Moving to Illinois with a license from another state

These are the routes the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Professional Regulation publishes for the Cosmetologist license. The other cosmetologist licenses have their own routes in their sections below.

Route: License by endorsement
What the board says: Licensed in another US state or jurisdiction: apply by endorsement with an official certification of licensure from the state of original licensure and the state where you now practice. The license must be the same as or substantially similar to the Illinois license; IDFPR may ask for transcripts or work history, extra coursework or the exam.²
Conditions: Illinois does not reciprocate licenses. Licenses another state issued by reciprocity may not count as "substantially similar" for endorsement.²
Fee: $45³
Form: online-dfpr.micropact.com¹

Route: Exam waiver
What the board says: Acceptance of Examination: not licensed anywhere in the US, but trained and passed a substantially similar cosmetology licensing exam in another jurisdiction within the 12 months before applying.²
Fee: $30³

Route: License by endorsement
What the board says: Foreign license: send an official license document, school transcripts showing subjects and hours, and evidence of at least 3 years of practice within the 5 years before applying (e.g. affidavits from 3 clients, co-workers or business owners on form VE-COB).²
Fee: $45³

Cosmetology Clinic Teacher

How to apply

IDFPR shows renewal only for this license. Existing clinic teachers renew online through the IDFPR renewal portal before September 30 of each even-numbered year.¹ online-dfpr.micropact.com¹

Renewal

When it expires: Expires September 30 of each even-numbered year; may be renewed during the month before expiry.⁷
Required topics: 10 of the 24 hours in teaching methodology, educational psychology, classroom management or other teaching-related courses.⁷
Approved courses: CE from a sponsor registered with IDFPR.⁷
Exemptions: No CE for the first renewal after the original license.⁷

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2 and group 4 under Applies to every license level.

Cosmetology Teacher

Requirements

Education or training: At least 500 clock hours⁶
Cosmetology teacher training at a licensed cosmetology school: either 500 hours plus 2 years of practice as a licensed cosmetologist within the last 5 years, or 1,000 hours.⁶
Who may teach it: A licensed (approved) cosmetology school.⁶
Alternative: 1,000 hours of teacher training with no experience requirement.⁶
Alternative: Licensed barber, esthetics and nail technology teachers can qualify after the supplemental cosmetology course, or after 3 years as a teacher plus only the cosmetology subjects not in their own curriculum. They must also pass the Illinois cosmetology exam.⁶
Experience: At least 2 years⁶
Hold an active Illinois cosmetologist license in good standing. On the 500-hour route, also 2 years of practice as a licensed cosmetologist within 5 years before applying, shown on 2 employment verification forms.⁶
License you must hold first: Active cosmetologist license in good standing.⁶
Exam: Cosmetology teacher examination⁶
When you can take it: Approved to sit after all supporting documents are submitted, reviewed and approved. IDFPR publishes a Cosmetology Teacher Candidate Study Guide.⁶
Also required: Since January 1, 2026, original-license applicants must complete a Department-approved abnormal skin growth (melanoma) course. IDFPR approves the online "Skinny on Skin" course by Impact Melanoma; upload the certificate with your application.²

Fees

Fee	Amount
Exam fee	$112³

How to apply

Hold an active Illinois cosmetologist license and complete 500 hours (with 2 years of practice) or 1,000 hours of teacher training.⁶
Apply using the Cosmetology Teacher application, with transcripts and (500-hour route) 2 employment verification forms.¹ Form (PDF, idfpr.illinois.gov)¹
When approved, take the cosmetology teacher exam.⁶

Application form: Form (PDF, idfpr.illinois.gov)¹

Renewal

When it expires: All cosmetology teacher licenses expire on September 30 of each even-numbered year.⁶
Required topics: 10 of the 24 hours in teaching methodology, educational psychology, classroom management or other teaching-related courses.⁴
1 hour of sexual harassment prevention each renewal.⁴
Approved courses: Approved CE sponsors registered with IDFPR or other qualifying providers.⁴
Exemptions: Waiver for good cause (military service, illness, hardship).⁴

From another state

Route: License by endorsement
What the board says: Licensed as a cosmetology teacher in another US state: send certification of licensure from the original and current states; the license must be the same as or substantially similar to Illinois's.⁶
Conditions: Illinois does not reciprocate licenses. Licenses another state issued by reciprocity may not count as "substantially similar" for endorsement.²
Fee: $45³

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 3 and group 4 under Applies to every license level.

City and county rules

CosmetologistThe cosmetologist license comes from IDFPR. Salons and shops register separately with IDFPR ($40 registration fee).³

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire a cosmetologist in Illinois, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Illinois is on the Illinois license lookup page.

Look up a license: online-dfpr.micropact.com¹
File a complaint: idfpr.illinois.gov¹

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Rule changes since January 2024

October 1, 2026: Barber, cosmetology, esthetician and nail technician exams offered in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese; exam fee table published.¹
January 1, 2026: Abnormal skin growth (melanoma) education required for original license applications.²

Common questions

How long does it take to get a Cosmetologist license in Illinois?

The rules set at least 1,500 clock hours² before you can be licensed. On processing, the board says: After a renewal, allow 2-4 business days for the license to post and its status to update. No processing time is published for new applications.¹

Can I transfer my cosmetologist license to Illinois?

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Professional Regulation publishes these routes for the Cosmetologist license: license by endorsement² and exam waiver². Conditions and forms.

How often do you renew a Cosmetologist license in Illinois?

Every 2 years². Continuing education: at least 14 hours⁴. The renewal fee is $25³.

Cosmetologist licenses in other states

Sources

Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.

IDFPR Cosmetology profession pageIllinois Department of Financial and Professional RegulationChecked November 7, 2026
Qualifications for Licensure: Cosmetologist (011)Illinois Department of Financial and Professional RegulationDated September 1, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
68 Ill. Adm. Code 1175.100 FeesIllinois General Assembly, Joint Committee on Administrative RulesDated August 10, 2018Checked November 7, 2026
BCENT Continuing Education Fact SheetIllinois Department of Financial and Professional RegulationChecked November 7, 2026
68 Ill. Adm. Code 1175.400 Licensure by Examination - CosmetologyIllinois General Assembly, Joint Committee on Administrative RulesDated August 10, 2018Checked November 7, 2026
Qualifications for Licensure: Cosmetology Teacher (012)Illinois Department of Financial and Professional RegulationDated September 1, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
68 Ill. Adm. Code 1175.425 RenewalsIllinois General Assembly, Joint Committee on Administrative RulesDated August 10, 2018Checked November 7, 2026