Makeup Artists - Licensing / Certification

All states require that cosmetologists have licenses. Requirements vary by state. Professional makeup artists are not required to have a cosmetology license. However, it can be useful for some jobs. See the Hairstylists and Cosmetologists occupation description in CIS for additional information about license requirements.

In Illinois, the licensing requirements for estheticians include:

being at least 16 years of age;
be a high school graduate or its equivalent (GED);
completion of a 750 hour program of study of at least 18 weeks, but no more than 4 consecutive years, from an approved esthetics school or cosmetology school approved to teach esthetics;
passage of an exam; and
payment of a fee.

Licenses must be renewed every two years.

For information regarding licensing and registration requirements, contact:

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
320 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor, Springfield, IL 62786
Phone: 217.785.0800, Fax: 217.782.7645