A one-hour sexual harassment prevention course is required each renewal cycle beginning with the first renewal after initial licensure.
1,500 hours
Pass the cosmetology examination administered by the Division or its designated testing service.
All Cosmetologist licenses expire on September 30 of each odd-numbered year, regardless of issuance date.
14 hours
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
1,500 hours
Complete 1500 clock hours of instruction of a cosmetology curriculum from a licensed cosmetology school that is approved by the Department.Official source
Pass the cosmetology examination administered by the Division or its designated testing service.
Take and pass the cosmetology examination as administered by the Division or its designated testing service.Official source
Cosmetologist Online Examination Cosmetologist EndorsementOfficial source
Illinois uses endorsement rather than automatic reciprocity. Provide certification from the original and current licensing jurisdictions; the license must be the same or substantially similar. Additional documentation, coursework or examination may be required.
An applicant currently registered or licensed as a cosmetologist in another state or jurisdiction of the United States must submit an official certification of licensure from the state or government board in the applicant's jurisdiction of original licensure and from the state or government board in which the applicant is currently licensed and practicing, if other than the original The license issued in another state or jurisdiction must be the same or substantially similar to the cosmetologist license issued by Illinois. Applicants using the endorsement method who are unable to satisfy all application requirements may be required to submit additional information, take additional coursework and/or pass the examination.Official source
Review the official instructions for your situation before applying.
Open the official agency pageA one-hour sexual harassment prevention course is required each renewal cycle beginning with the first renewal after initial licensure.
Each individual (non-business) license holder must complete a one-hour sexual harassment prevention course during each renewal cycle, beginning with the first renewal after obtaining their initial license.Official source
Original license applications submitted on or after January 1, 2026 require an approved abnormal skin growth course, including identifying melanoma.
All applicants who submit an application for original licensure on or after January 1, 2026, must submit proof of completion of a course approved by the Department in abnormal skin growth education, including training on identifying melanoma.Official source
The first license renewal is exempt from the 14-hour CE requirement.
With the exception of the first renewal of this license, all applicants for renewal of a Cosmetologist license must complete 14 hours of continuing education (CE)Official source
All Cosmetologist licenses expire on September 30 of each odd-numbered year, regardless of issuance date.
All Cosmetologist licenses expire on September 30 of each odd-numbered year, regardless of issuance date.Official source
2 years
during the 2-year period leading up to the expiration of their license.Official source
14 hours
14 hours of Continuing Education (CE).Official source
Cosmetology continuing education includes a one-time domestic violence and sexual assault awareness course.
Renewals following 2019 must have completed 1 hour of Domestic Voilence/Sexual Assault Awareness training. (A one-time requirement)Official source
Have a license or permit? Use the expiration date printed on it to set up your calendar and reminders.
$200
Cosmetology (English/Spanish/Chinese/Korean/Vietnamese) $200Official source
Confirm the charges and conditions for your application with the official agency.
All Cosmetologist licenses expire on September 30 of each odd-numbered year, regardless of issuance date.
All Cosmetologist licenses expire on September 30 of each odd-numbered year, regardless of issuance date.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Last verified Oct 25, 2026. Each quotation supports the corresponding published value.
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Professions Licensed by IDFPR:Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
https://idfpr.illinois.gov/profs/cosmo.html
CosmetologyOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
https://idfpr.illinois.gov/profs/cosmo.html
Cosmetologist Online Examination Cosmetologist EndorsementOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
1,500 hours
1500
Complete 1500 clock hours of instruction of a cosmetology curriculum from a licensed cosmetology school that is approved by the Department.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Pass the cosmetology examination administered by the Division or its designated testing service.
Pass the cosmetology examination administered by the Division or its designated testing service.
Take and pass the cosmetology examination as administered by the Division or its designated testing service.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
$200
200
Cosmetology (English/Spanish/Chinese/Korean/Vietnamese) $200Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
14 hours
14
14 hours of Continuing Education (CE).Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Cosmetology continuing education includes a one-time domestic violence and sexual assault awareness course.
Cosmetology continuing education includes a one-time domestic violence and sexual assault awareness course.
Renewals following 2019 must have completed 1 hour of Domestic Voilence/Sexual Assault Awareness training. (A one-time requirement)Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
A one-hour sexual harassment prevention course is required each renewal cycle beginning with the first renewal after initial licensure.
A one-hour sexual harassment prevention course is required each renewal cycle beginning with the first renewal after initial licensure.
Each individual (non-business) license holder must complete a one-hour sexual harassment prevention course during each renewal cycle, beginning with the first renewal after obtaining their initial license.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Original license applications submitted on or after January 1, 2026 require an approved abnormal skin growth course, including identifying melanoma.
Original license applications submitted on or after January 1, 2026 require an approved abnormal skin growth course, including identifying melanoma.
All applicants who submit an application for original licensure on or after January 1, 2026, must submit proof of completion of a course approved by the Department in abnormal skin growth education, including training on identifying melanoma.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
The first license renewal is exempt from the 14-hour CE requirement.
The first license renewal is exempt from the 14-hour CE requirement.
With the exception of the first renewal of this license, all applicants for renewal of a Cosmetologist license must complete 14 hours of continuing education (CE)Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Illinois uses endorsement rather than automatic reciprocity. Provide certification from the original and current licensing jurisdictions; the license must be the same or substantially similar. Additional documentation, coursework or examination may be required.
Illinois uses endorsement rather than automatic reciprocity. Provide certification from the original and current licensing jurisdictions; the license must be the same or substantially similar. Additional documentation, coursework or examination may be required.
An applicant currently registered or licensed as a cosmetologist in another state or jurisdiction of the United States must submit an official certification of licensure from the state or government board in the applicant's jurisdiction of original licensure and from the state or government board in which the applicant is currently licensed and practicing, if other than the original The license issued in another state or jurisdiction must be the same or substantially similar to the cosmetologist license issued by Illinois. Applicants using the endorsement method who are unable to satisfy all application requirements may be required to submit additional information, take additional coursework and/or pass the examination.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
All Cosmetologist licenses expire on September 30 of each odd-numbered year, regardless of issuance date.
All Cosmetologist licenses expire on September 30 of each odd-numbered year, regardless of issuance date. Applies to: Cosmetologist license
All Cosmetologist licenses expire on September 30 of each odd-numbered year, regardless of issuance date.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
2 years
2
during the 2-year period leading up to the expiration of their license.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Not yet verified: license fee — see the official agency.
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Last verified Oct 25, 2026.
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