IL Cosmetology licensing
Illinois cosmetology license requirements and exam prep
Confirm Illinois cosmetology training hours, CTS/PSI exam sources, official rules and the matching practice app.
At a glance
Illinois Cosmetology facts
- License type
- Cosmetologist
- School hours
- 1,500 hours
- Written exam
- Required
- Practical exam
- Not required
- Exam vendor
- Continental Testing Services / PSI
- Passing score
- 75%
- Renewal cycle
- 2 years
- Minimum age
- 16
- Education
- High school graduate or equivalent, or beyond compulsory school attendance
- Last verified
- 2026-08-01
Application path
What to verify before you apply
- 1Confirm the license categoryState boards may use different names for the same career path.
- 2Verify training and exam eligibilityCheck hours, application order, fees, IDs and vendor rules from official sources.
- 3Practice once your path is clearUse the state-aware course app for written-exam practice and weak-area review.
Exam details
Written and practical exam notes
Written exam
- Status
- Required
- Time limit
- 120 minutes
- Passing score
- 75%
- Languages
- English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese
Practical exam
- Status
- Not required
Illinois does not require a hands-on practical examination for this license, so there is no practical time limit, score or fee to prepare for.
Renewal and transfer
- Renewal
- 2 years
- Continuing education
- 14 hours per renewal
- Reciprocity
- Case by case - the board compares your training and may require an exam
Study path
How to use this Illinois cosmetology guide
Verify the licensing path here, then use the course app for active recall, answer explanations, weak-area drills and timed written-exam practice.
- Confirm eligibilityFinish 1,500 approved training hours before relying on exam practice as your only preparation step.
- Prepare for the written examUse timed practice against the published written-exam structure: 120 minutes, passing standard 75%. The cited sources name Continental Testing Services / PSI as the exam vendor.
- Focus the exam study loopIllinois does not require a practical exam for this license, so the course app can focus on written theory, explanations and timed drills.
- Start the matching practice appBegin with the free questions, then unlock full access when your exam date is close enough that you will use the 90-day study window.
High-yield written topics
- Safety and infection controlDisinfection, blood exposure, EPA labels, SDS and salon sanitation rules.
- Hair color and chemistryLevels, developers, patch tests, chemical reactions and product safety.
- Haircutting and texture servicesElevation, guidelines, relaxers, perms, neutralizers and service steps.
- Skin, nails and state lawBasic services outside hair plus scope, licensing and board-rule questions.
Official sources
Source links used for this guide
- Part 1175 Barber, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Hair Braiding, and Nail Technology ↗Illinois Joint Committee on Administrative Rules · Accessed 2026-07-29Continuing education, Education, Minimum age, Passing Score, Practical exam, Renewal cycle, Training hours, Written exam
- Illinois 011 - Licensed Cosmetologist ↗Continental Testing Services · Accessed 2026-07-29Exam vendor, Exam Fee, Exam languages
- Candidate Study Guide for the Illinois Cosmetology Examination ↗Continental Testing Services · Accessed 2026-08-06Candidate Bulletin, Time Limit, Question Count, Exam languages
Illinois in context
What these Illinois cosmetology rules mean for you
Illinois requires 1,500 training hours for a cosmetology license. Of the 51 jurisdictions tracked here, 12 ask for fewer hours and 13 ask for more, against a range of 1,000 to 2,000 hours and a median of 1,500. Hour requirements matter beyond school cost: a license earned in a low-hour state is often harder to transfer into a high-hour one.
Illinois requires a written examination but no hands-on practical examination for this license, which is unusual and means your preparation is entirely theory-based. The examination is administered by Continental Testing Services / PSI. The published passing standard is 75%.
The Illinois written exam is offered in English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese. If English is not your first language, confirm the language option when you book, because it is chosen at scheduling rather than on exam day.
Illinois Cosmetology licensing questions
- How many hours do you need for a cosmetology license in Illinois?
- Illinois requires 1,500 hours of approved training. That is more than 12 of the other jurisdictions tracked here and fewer than 13.
- Is there a practical exam for the Illinois cosmetology license?
- No. Illinois does not require a hands-on practical examination for this license.
- What languages is the Illinois cosmetology written exam offered in?
- It is offered in English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese.
- How long is the Illinois cosmetology written exam?
- You are allowed 120 minutes.
- How old do you have to be to get a cosmetology license in Illinois?
- You must be at least 16 years old. The education requirement is High school graduate or equivalent, or beyond compulsory school attendance.
- How often do you renew a Illinois cosmetology license?
- The renewal cycle is 2 years. Continuing education: 14 hours per renewal.
Verify before applying. Licensing rules, fees, providers, and exam formats can change. Use the linked board source as the final authority.