Illinois Cosmetology License Requirements

This page provides information for Illinois license requirements including how to apply for a new license, renew an existing one, reactivate an expired license and Illinois license reciprocity for when you need to transfer a license to this state or out of state. If available, we provide other useful information such as cosmetology school hours requirements, how to apply for additional license for professions like manicurists, nail technicians, instructors etc. If you did not find the answer you were looking for on this page or if you have questions or issues pertaining to cosmetology, then we recommend you contact the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation.

Illinois Cosmetology License Verification

If you need to verify a license for a salon or person, then you can do so by visiting the Illinois Board of Cosmetology license verification website. From there you can search for the person or business and see if there are any disciplinary actions on record. This will allow you to make an informed decision about the person and or business providing your service.

You can register/apply online for the following:

• Cosmetologist Endorsement
• Salon/Shop Registration

Change name on License

You cannot change your name through their online system. You must download the form, fill it out and mail it to the following address:

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Division of Professional Regulation-LMU1
320 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor
Springfield, IL 62786

Request a Certification of Licensure

Certifications of Licensure include the licensee name, license number and status, license issuance date and expiration date, and method of licensure and disciplinary action, if applicable. The certifications also include the Department seal and official signature. Electronic Certification of Licensure: Certifications for most professions and licenses can be sent electronically to either the licensee's email address or an email address provided by the licensee. Electronic Certifications are not available for licenses that have been disciplined. To send an electronic Certification of Licensure, licensees will need to create and log into their account at the Department's Online Services Portal. Additional help for creating an account can be found by downloading this document.

Paper Certification of Licensure: Paper Certifications must be requested by mail. Please submit your request in writing to:

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Division of Professional Regulation
320 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor
Springfield, Illinois 62786

Please include your name, address, license number, social security number, date of birth, and the name and address of the State Board where you want the certification sent, along with the required fee listed below. Certification fees in the form of a check or money order payable to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation must be submitted with your request.

Certification Fees

• $20 - All Certifications (see exceptions below)

Exceptions:

• $25 - Real Estate Professions, including Appraisers, Auctioneers and Home Inspectors, Loan Originators
• No Fee - Medical Corporations, Professional Service Corporations

Cosmetologist Online Examination

Spanish/English Exams will be available at all testing locations in computerized format.

• English Study Guide: Illinois Cosmetology English Study Guide
• Spanish Study Guide: Illinois Cosmetology Spanish Study Guide

The following types of Identification will be the only ID accepted for the examination:

• A valid US Driver’s License or State ID issued by one of the 50 states or US Territories
• A valid Consular ID
• A valid US Passport or Military Active Duty ID

If you do not have one of these forms of ID, you will not be allowed to sit for the exam. All retake candidates must wait 30 days before reapplying. Any applications received before that date will be treated as correspondence only.
All candidates will be contacted by email when approval to test is determined. You have 60 days from the date of the email to schedule and take your exam. If you do not complete your examination within 60 days, your fee is forfeit. If you must change or cancel your test date, you must notify PSI within two business days.

To make sure you receive your email:

Place support@psionline.com in your email address book/contact list.

All applications are valid for a period of three years. You must complete a full application with all supporting documentation upon application expiration.

Restoration Applicants:

Restoration applicants must be approved by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation before applying to CTS. This is a dual application process. Upon approval by the Department, restoration applicants will be sent the appropriate approval letter to register for the examination with Continental Testing Services. All exam dates must be reschedule 48 hours prior to the original scheduled date. All absences forfeit the exam fee.

Exam Information

Exam Contact:

Name: Missy Kwak (First Time & Retakes)
Email: mkwak@continentaltesting.net
Phone: 708-354-9911  Ext: 106

Cosmetology Teacher Online Examination

This is a computerized examination. For information regarding PSI registration and procedures click on the following link and download the PSI Information Guide and Instructions.

• All candidates will be contacted by email when approval to test is determined
• You have 60 days from the date of the email to schedule and take your exam
• If you do not complete your examination within 60 days, your fee is forfeit
• If you must change or cancel your test date, you must notify PSI within two business days

To make sure you receive your email:

Place support@psionline.com in your email address book/contact list. All applications are valid for a period of three years. You must complete a full application with all supporting documentation upon application expiration.

Restoration Applicants:

• Restoration applicants must be approved by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation before applying to CTS
• This is a dual application process
• Restoration applicants must apply with the State of Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation before registering for the examination
• Upon approval by the Department, restoration applicants will be sent the appropriate approval letter to register for the examination with Continental Testing Services

Exam Contact:

Name: Kathy McShane
Email: kmcshane@continentaltesting.net
Phone: 708-354-9911 Ext: 107

Illinois Cosmetology School Hours

Instructions for Filing a Petition for Restoration from a Disciplinary Status

To file a petition for restoration from a disciplinary status, click here to download the form and complete the form in accordance with 68 IAC 1110.30. If you meet the above requirements, you must:

• Include all information requested in the form
• Attach documentation that may be relevant
• If you provide information/documentation regarding medical treatment, psychotherapy, or counseling please provide under a separate attachment
• Sign the form
• Forward the completed form to:

Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation
Clerk of the Court
James R. Thompson Center
100 West Randolph Street, Suite 9-300
Chicago, Illinois 60601

As the Petitioner, you have the burden to prove that you have been rehabilitated and your license should be issued or restored. Each Petitioner has the right to retain an attorney to represent him/her in this matter and the Department strongly encourages you to seek counsel from an attorney.

Filing a Petition for Hearing

If you are requesting a hearing, then you need to download a form and it must be completed in accordance with 68 IAC 1110.30(c). If you meet the above requirements, you must:

• Include all information requested in the form
• Attach documentation that may be relevant
• If you provide information/documentation regarding medical treatment, psychotherapy, or counseling please provide under a separate attachment
• Sign the form
• Forward the completed form to:

Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation Clerk of the Court
James R. Thompson Center
100 West Randolph Street, Suite 9-300
Chicago, Illinois 60601

Each Respondent/Petitioner has the right to retain an attorney to represent him/her in this matter and the Department strongly encourages you to seek counsel from an attorney.