Illinois Cosmetology License Requirements

Illinois

Illinois Cosmetology, Nail Technician and Esthetician Requirements

Compare training hours, written and practical exam requirements, and verified guide status for the three Illinois beauty licenses.

Practice after you verify the path

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Use the state requirements first, then start the matching course with 10 free questions and explanations.

700+ questions · IllinoisNail Technician practiceSanitation, nail anatomy, manicure, pedicure, acrylic, gel and wraps.

350 hrs · Written: required · Practical: not required

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500+ questions · IllinoisEsthetician practiceSkin science, infection control, facials, hair removal, makeup and machines.

750 hrs · Written: required · Practical: not required

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At a glance

Compare Illinois requirements side by side

These owner-verified hour and exam flags come from the state dataset. Open a full guide for source-linked fees, renewal, reciprocity and exam details where approved.

RequirementCosmetologyNail TechnicianEsthetician
Training hours1,500 hrsTraining350 hrsTraining750 hrsTraining
Written examRequiredExam statusRequiredExam statusRequiredExam status
Practical examNot requiredExam statusNot requiredExam statusNot requiredExam status

Cosmetology

Training hours
1,500 hrsTraining
Written exam
RequiredExam status
Practical exam
Not requiredExam status
Open full guide →

Nail Technician

Training hours
350 hrsTraining
Written exam
RequiredExam status
Practical exam
Not requiredExam status
Open full guide →

Esthetician

Training hours
750 hrsTraining
Written exam
RequiredExam status
Practical exam
Not requiredExam status
Open full guide →

Licensing board

Who issues these licenses

Illinois Dept. of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) Licenses renew every 2 years.

Illinois board website →

Full guides

Open the verified guide for your license

1,500 hrs · Written: required · Practical: not requiredIllinois Cosmetology guideExam details, official sources, fees where verified, and the matching course next step.Open full guide →350 hrs · Written: required · Practical: not requiredIllinois Nail Technician guideExam details, official sources, fees where verified, and the matching course next step.Open full guide →750 hrs · Written: required · Practical: not requiredIllinois Esthetician guideExam details, official sources, fees where verified, and the matching course next step.Open full guide →

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