Hair stylists must be licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Licensing requirements include:

• being at least 16 years of age;
• completion of grade 8 or equivalent;
• completion of at least 1,500 hours of theory and practical study in an approved cosmetology school;
• payment of a fee; and,
• passage of an examination.

Licenses must be renewed every two years. Fourteen hours of continuing education are required.

The licensing requirements for barbers include:

• being at least 16 years of age;
• completion of a program of study at an approved barber school;
• passage of an examination;
• payment of an examination fee; and
• payment of a licensing fee.

Licenses must be renewed every two years.

The licensing requirements for estheticians include:

• being at least 16 years of age;
• be a high school graduate or be beyond age of compulsory school attendance;
• completion of a 750 hour program of study from an approved esthetics school or cosmetology school teaching esthetics;
• passage of an examination; and
• payment of examination and licensing fees.

Licenses must be renewed every two years.

Nail technicians must be licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Licensing requirements include:

• being at least 16 years of age;
• completion of a 350 hour program of study at an approved school of cosmetology or school of nail technology;
• passage of an examination; and
• payment of examination and licensing fees.

Licenses must be renewed every two years.

For information regarding licensing and registration requirements, contact: