How to Become a Cosmetologist in Illinois

Checked against Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Professional Regulation · Verified 2026-10-17

Exam: Required
Training: Required
Term: Cosmetologist licenses expire September 30 of each odd-numbered year, so your first license may last less than 2 years.
State fee: $30 license fee filed with the application. Endorsement for out-of-state licensees: $45.
Licensed by: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Professional Regulation

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Who can apply

You must be at least 16 years old.
You must be a high school graduate (or equivalent) or be beyond the age of compulsory school attendance.
You must graduate from a licensed Illinois cosmetology school after a 1,500-hour program lasting at least 8 months. Starting January 1, 2027, a 3,000-hour apprenticeship is also allowed.
You must pass the state cosmetologist examination with a score of 75 or higher.

Step by step

Complete a 1,500-hour cosmetology program at a licensed school, including the school's final exam.
Register and pay for the cosmetologist examination through IDFPR's testing service (the IDFPR page links to Continental Testing's online exam registration). You may test after finishing 1,200 hours.
Pass the exam with a score of 75 or higher.
Apply to IDFPR for your cosmetologist license within 12 months of passing, with your official school transcript and the $30 license fee.
Renew by September 30 of each odd-numbered year.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: 225 ILCS 410/3-2 requires graduation from a licensed school of cosmetology after a 1,500-hour program lasting at least 8 months. A school may accept up to 1,000 hours of barber school training toward the 1,500 hours. Training from another state or country is credited if it substantially complies with Illinois curriculum rules. Under P.A. 104-478, effective January 1, 2027, you may instead complete a 3,000-hour apprenticeship at a sponsoring licensed salon or shop, including 180 hours of related instruction. Apprentices must be paid at least the Illinois minimum wage.

Exam: IDFPR's testing service gives the cosmetologist exam, which by law tests theoretical and practical knowledge (product chemistry, sanitation, chemical services, anatomy, and labor and compensation laws). The passing grade is 75. From October 1, 2026, the exam is offered in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese, and the fee is $200. If you fail three times, you must finish a 100-hour refresher course (or the 250-hour refresher course) before a fourth try. If you do not apply for a license within 12 months of passing, you must retake the exam. Until January 1, 2027, you may test after completing 1,200 school hours; P.A. 104-478 removes that line from the law on that date.

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What it costs in Illinois

Fixed amounts are set by the state. Items marked “your quote” are priced by private sellers, so enter what you’re quoted.

Cosmetologist exam (from Oct. 1, 2026)$200
License fee$30
Endorsement license (out-of-state licensees)(optional)$45
Cosmetology school tuition$

Estimated total in Illinois$230Plus 1 item with no state-set price. Add your quotes above to complete the total.

Cost details from the state

Cosmetologist exam: $200, paid to the testing service.
Cosmetology school tuition varies.
Continuing education courses from approved sponsors (for renewals after the first).

Keeping your license

Renewal: Renew by September 30 of each odd-numbered year. The renewal fee is $25 per year ($50 per 2-year cycle). You need 14 hours of CE every two years from approved sponsors, including 1 hour of sexual harassment prevention. CE is not required for your first renewal, except that every licensee must complete the 1-hour sexual harassment prevention course each cycle, and for the first renewal one hour must cover domestic violence and sexual assault awareness. Working on an expired license is unlicensed practice.

Good to know in Illinois

Barber school graduates: A graduate of a 1,500-hour barber school can qualify after 500 additional hours of cosmetology study over at least 3 months, then pass the exam.

Apprenticeship starts 2027: P.A. 104-478 adds a 3,000-hour paid apprenticeship route effective January 1, 2027. Before then, Illinois law requires school training.

Other licenses: IDFPR also licenses barbers, estheticians, nail technicians and hair braiders under the same Act.

Licensed in another state: If you hold a current cosmetologist license in another U.S. state, you can apply by endorsement with certifications from your original and current states. The other state's license must be the same or substantially similar. The fee is $45. Illinois does not reciprocate licenses, and a license you obtained in another state through reciprocity may not qualify you for endorsement.

Sources

General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change — confirm with Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Professional Regulation before you apply.