Licensed jobs in Illinois
Illinois: 8 occupations, 5 licensing agencies, and no state license for general contractors. For each one: the board, the main credential, its training, application fee and renewal cycle, from the boards' own pages.
On this page
Occupations we cover in Illinois
Illinois licenses 7 of the 8 occupations below at the state level; general contractors is licensed only by cities or counties, if at all. Insurance agents have the most levels here (4 credentials); each occupation page covers every level.
| Occupation | Main license | Board | Training or experience | Application fee | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | Cosmetologist 3 credentials in all | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Professional Regulation | Training 1,500 clock hours1 | $302 | Every 2 years1 |
| Notary public | Notary Public 2 credentials in all | Illinois Secretary of State | – | – | – |
| Registered nurse (RN) | Registered Professional Nurse (RN) | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Professional Regulation | – | $504 | Every 2 years5 |
| Insurance agent | Resident Producer / Illinois Insurance Agent 4 credentials in all | IDOI | Training 20 clock hours9 | $21510 | Every 2 years11 |
| Plumber | Plumber's License (Illinois licensed plumber) 4 credentials in all | IDPH | Training 2,800 credit hours13 Experience 5,600 hours13 | $15013 | Every year14 |
| Certified nursing assistant (CNA) | Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) | IDPH | Training 120 clock hours15 | – | – |
| Real estate agent | Real Estate Broker 3 credentials in all | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Division of Real Estate | Training 75 credit hours17 | $15018 | Every 2 years19 |
| General contractor | No state license21 | – | – | – | – |
Licensing boards
5 agencies issue the Illinois licenses we cover:
- Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH): plumbers and nursing assistants
- Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Professional Regulation: cosmetologists and registered nurses
- Illinois Department of Insurance (IDOI): insurance agents
- Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Division of Real Estate: real estate agents
- Illinois Secretary of State: notaries
Moving to Illinois with a license
No Illinois board we cover publishes a list of accepted states for the main license. The boards for notaries publish no transfer route, so you apply as a new applicant. Conditions, fees and forms are on each occupation page.
| Occupation | Routes the board publishes |
|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | License by endorsement and Exam waiver1 |
| Notary public | No reciprocity route3 |
| Registered nurse (RN) | License by endorsement, Temporary license or permit and Military service members and spouses678 |
| Insurance agent | Exam waiver12 |
| Plumber | Reciprocity agreements and Exam waiver14 |
| Certified nursing assistant (CNA) | License by endorsement16 |
| Real estate agent | License by endorsement20 |
Check a license
Every board above runs its own license search. The Illinois license lookup page lists them in one place, with the links to report an unlicensed or problem provider.
Sources
Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.
- 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
- 5 ILCS 312/2-102Illinois General AssemblyChecked November 7, 2026
- 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1300.30 FeesIllinois Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1300, IDFPR rules)Dated January 4, 2021Checked November 7, 2026
- 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1300.40Illinois Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1300, IDFPR rules)Dated June 14, 2019Checked November 7, 2026
- License Regulations – Internationally Educated NursesIllinois Department of Financial and Professional RegulationDated September 24, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1300.320Illinois Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1300, IDFPR rules)Dated January 4, 2021Checked November 7, 2026
- 225 ILCS 65/60-25 Restoration of RN license; temporary permitIllinois General Assembly (Illinois Compiled Statutes)Dated January 1, 2018Checked November 7, 2026
- 215 ILCS 5/500-30Illinois General AssemblyChecked November 7, 2026
- Fee ScheduleIllinois Department of InsuranceChecked November 7, 2026
- 215 ILCS 5/500-35Illinois General AssemblyChecked November 7, 2026
- Moving to or from IllinoisIllinois Department of InsuranceChecked November 7, 2026
- 68 Ill. Adm. Code 750 Illinois Plumbing Licensing Code (entire Part)Illinois General Assembly, Joint Committee on Administrative RulesChecked November 7, 2026
- 225 ILCS 320 Illinois Plumbing License Law (full act)Illinois General AssemblyChecked November 7, 2026
- 2024 Long-Term Care Facility Cost Reports instructionsIllinois Department of Healthcare and Family ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- CNA FactsIllinois Department of Public HealthChecked November 7, 2026
- 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1450.400Illinois General Assembly (Joint Committee on Administrative Rules)Dated July 7, 2025Checked November 5, 2026
- 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1450.130 FeesIllinois General Assembly (Joint Committee on Administrative Rules)Dated July 7, 2025Checked November 5, 2026
- 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1450.450Illinois General Assembly (Joint Committee on Administrative Rules)Dated July 7, 2025Checked November 5, 2026
- 225 ILCS 454/5-60.5Illinois General AssemblyDated January 1, 2025Checked November 5, 2026
- illinoisattorneygeneral.govIllinois Attorney GeneralChecked November 5, 2026