Illinois State Board of Cosmetology
Information verified:About the Illinois State Board of Cosmetology
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) oversees cosmetology licensing through its Division of Professional Regulation. The profession is governed by the Barber, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Hair Braiding, and Nail Technology Act of 1985 (225 ILCS 410) and administered from offices in Springfield (320 West Washington Street) and Chicago (555 West Monroe Street).
The Barber, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Hair Braiding, and Nail Technology Board (BCENT) is composed of eleven members appointed by the Secretary — ten licensed professionals and one public member. The Board provides expert knowledge on disciplinary matters and professional conduct, meeting quarterly in both Springfield and Chicago via WebEx video conferencing.
IDFPR regulates more than 1.2 million professionals across over 100 professions. The cosmetology profession was first regulated in 1928, with esthetics added in 1988, nail technology in 1992, and hair braiding in 2011. In October 2024, IDFPR launched CORE (Comprehensive Online Regulatory Environment), a modernized online licensing system that is replacing legacy systems in phases.
All Illinois cosmetologists must complete 14 hours of continuing education per two-year renewal cycle, including 1 hour of sexual harassment prevention and 1 hour of domestic violence awareness training.
Licenses Regulated
IDFPR licenses the following professions under the BCENT Act:
- Cosmetologist — Full cosmetology services including hair, skin, nails, hydro-therapy facials, superficial microdermabrasion, and dermaplaning. Requires 1,500 hours of approved training.
- Esthetician — Skin care services including facials, waxing, hydro-therapy facials, microdermabrasion, and dermaplaning. Requires 750 hours of training.
- Nail Technician — Manicure, pedicure, and nail enhancement services. Requires 350 hours of training.
- Hair Braider — Natural hair braiding, locking, twisting, and weaving. Requires 300 hours of training.
- Barber — Barbering services including shaving and facial hair grooming. Requires 1,500 hours of training.
- Cosmetology Teacher / Clinic Teacher — Teaching in a BCENT-licensed school. Requires active license plus teacher training and passage of a teacher examination.
- Salon/Shop Registration — Required for any establishment offering cosmetology, esthetics, nail technology, hair braiding, or barber services.
- School License — Required for institutions providing IDFPR-approved training programs.
Beginning in 2026, all salons and shops must designate a licensee in charge and prominently display a Department-approved complaint sign. All licensees must display their individual license at their workstation.
Renew Your Illinois Cosmetology License
Illinois cosmetology licenses expire on September 30 of each odd-numbered year regardless of issuance date. The renewal fee is $30.00 for individual cosmetologist, esthetician, and nail technician licenses. Illinois requires 14 hours of continuing education per renewal period.
Continuing Education (14 Hours)
CE must be completed through IDFPR-approved BCENT CE sponsors and must include:
- 1 hour — Sexual Harassment Prevention training (each renewal)
- 1 hour — Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Awareness (one-time requirement)
- Abnormal Skin Growth Education — One-time "Skinny on Skin" course by Impact Melanoma (free online, required for renewals after Jan 1, 2026)
- Remaining hours — Advanced product chemistry, sanitation, implements, anatomy, human relations, or management topics
Up to 7 of the 14 hours may be completed through online/self-study courses. The remaining 7 hours must be live instruction. CE completion is self-certified at renewal — retain your certificates as IDFPR may audit.
Online Renewal
Renew online at online-dfpr.micropact.com. Renewal opens approximately 2–3 months before the September 30 expiration date. First-time renewals are exempt from the CE requirement.
File a Complaint
Complaints against any individual or entity regulated by the Division of Professional Regulation may be filed with IDFPR's Complaint Intake Unit. This includes cosmetologists, estheticians, nail technicians, barbers, hair braiders, and licensed establishments operating in Illinois.
File a complaint online through IDFPR's Division of Professional Regulation, or download a printable complaint form and mail it to the Chicago office. Include the licensee's name, establishment address, a description of the violation, and any supporting documentation.
All information collected during an investigation is confidential under Illinois law (20 ILCS 2105/2105-117) and cannot be publicly disclosed. IDFPR publishes monthly enforcement action reports on its website. Substantiated violations can result in fines, license probation, suspension, or revocation.
Complaint Intake Unit: 555 West Monroe Street, 5th Floor, Chicago, IL 60661. Phone: (312) 814-6910. Email: FPR.CIU@illinois.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many CE hours does Illinois require for cosmetology renewal?
- Illinois requires 14 hours of continuing education per two-year renewal cycle. This must include 1 hour of sexual harassment prevention training, 1 hour of domestic violence awareness (one-time), and the Abnormal Skin Growth Education course (one-time, required after Jan 1, 2026). Up to 7 hours may be completed online.
- How much does it cost to renew an Illinois cosmetology license?
- The renewal fee is $30 for a two-year period — one of the lowest in the country. CE costs are separate and vary by provider.
- When do Illinois cosmetology licenses expire?
- All Illinois cosmetology licenses expire on September 30 of odd-numbered years (e.g., 2025, 2027), regardless of when the license was originally issued. Renewal opens 2–3 months before expiration.
- How do I file a complaint against an Illinois cosmetologist?
- File a complaint online through IDFPR's complaint portal or contact the Complaint Intake Unit at (312) 814-6910. All investigation information is confidential under Illinois law.
- What is CORE and does it affect my cosmetology license?
- CORE (Comprehensive Online Regulatory Environment) is IDFPR's new licensing system launched in October 2024. New applications use CORE, while existing licensees continue using the current renewal portal until full transition is complete (expected by end of 2026).