Illinois Compiled Statutes
225 ILCS 410/ - Barber, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Hair Braiding, and Nail Technology Act of 1985.
Article III - Cosmetologists

(225 ILCS 410/Art. III heading)

(225 ILCS 410/3-1) (from Ch. 111, par. 1703-1)
(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026)
Sec. 3-1. Cosmetology defined. Any one or any combination of the
following practices constitutes the practice of cosmetology when done for
cosmetic or beautifying purposes and not for the treatment of disease or of
muscular or nervous disorder: arranging, braiding, dressing, cutting,
trimming,
curling, waving, chemical restructuring, shaping, singeing, bleaching,
coloring or similar work, upon the hair of the head or any cranial prosthesis; cutting or trimming
facial hair of any person; any practice of
manicuring, pedicuring, decorating nails, applying sculptured nails or
otherwise artificial nails by hand or with mechanical or electrical
apparatus or appliances, or in any way caring for the nails or the skin of
the hands or feet including massaging the hands, arms, elbows, feet, lower
legs, and knees of another
person for other than the treatment of medical disorders; any practice of epilation or
depilation of any person; any practice for the purpose of cleansing,
massaging or toning the skin of the scalp; beautifying, massaging,
cleansing, exfoliating, or stimulating
the stratum corneum of the epidermis by the use of cosmetic
preparations, body treatments, body wraps, the use of
hydrotherapy, or any device,
electrical, mechanical, or otherwise; applying make-up or
eyelashes to any person or lightening or coloring hair
on the body and removing superfluous hair from the body of any person by
the use of depilatories, waxing, threading, or tweezers. The term "cosmetology" does
not include the services provided by an electrologist. Nail technology is
the practice and the study of cosmetology only to the
extent of manicuring, pedicuring, decorating, and applying sculptured or
otherwise artificial nails, or in any way caring for the nail or the skin of
the hands or feet including massaging the hands, arms, elbows, feet, lower
legs,
and knees.
Cosmetologists are prohibited from using any technique, product, or practice intended to affect the living layers of the skin. The term cosmetology includes
rendering advice on what is cosmetically appealing, but no person licensed
under this Act shall render advice on what is appropriate medical treatment
for diseases of the skin. Purveyors of cosmetics may demonstrate such cosmetic
products in conjunction with any sales promotion and shall not be
required to hold a license under this Act.
Nothing in this Act shall be construed to prohibit the shampooing of hair
by persons employed for that purpose and who perform that task
under the direct supervision of a licensed cosmetologist or licensed
cosmetology teacher.

(Source: P.A. 98-911, eff. 1-1-15.)

(225 ILCS 410/3-2) (from Ch. 111, par. 1703-2)
(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026)
Sec. 3-2. Licensure; qualifications.
(1) A person is qualified to receive a license
as a cosmetologist who has filed an application on forms
provided by the Department, pays the required fees, and:
(2) (Blank).

(Source: P.A. 99-427, eff. 8-21-15.)

(225 ILCS 410/3-3) (from Ch. 111, par. 1703-3)
(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026)
Sec. 3-3. Licensure as a
cosmetologist by a barber school graduate. A person is qualified to receive a
license as a cosmetologist
if that person has filed an application on forms provided by the Department,
has paid the required fees, and:
(Source: P.A. 99-427, eff. 8-21-15.)

(225 ILCS 410/3-4) (from Ch. 111, par. 1703-4)
(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026)
Sec. 3-4. Licensure as cosmetology
teacher or cosmetology clinic teacher; qualifications.
(a) A person is qualified to receive license as a cosmetology teacher
if that person has
applied in writing on forms provided by the Department, has paid the required
fees, and:
An individual who receives a license as a cosmetology teacher shall not be
required to maintain an active cosmetology license in order to practice
cosmetology as defined in this Act.
(b) A person is qualified to receive a license as a cosmetology clinic
teacher if he or she has applied in writing on forms provided by the
Department, has paid the required fees, and:
The Department shall not issue any new cosmetology clinic teacher licenses after January 1, 2009. Any person issued a license as a cosmetology clinic teacher before January 1, 2009, may renew the license after that date under this Act and that person may continue to renew the license or have the license restored during his or her lifetime, subject only to the renewal or restoration requirements for the license under this Act; however, such licensee and license shall remain subject to the provisions of this Act, including, but not limited to, provisions concerning renewal, restoration, fees, continuing education, discipline, administration, and enforcement.

(Source: P.A. 99-427, eff. 8-21-15.)

(225 ILCS 410/3-5) (from Ch. 111, par. 1703-5)
Sec. 3-5.
(Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 88-483. Repealed by P.A. 89-387, eff. 1-1-96.)

(225 ILCS 410/3-5A) (from Ch. 111, par. 1703-5A)
Sec. 3-5A.
(Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 85-1382. Repealed by P.A. 89-387, eff. 1-1-96.)

(225 ILCS 410/3-5B) (from Ch. 111, par. 1703-5B)
Sec. 3-5B.
(Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 85-1382. Repealed by P.A. 89-387, eff. 1-1-96.)

(225 ILCS 410/3-5C) (from Ch. 111, par. 1703-5C)
Sec. 3-5C.
(Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 86-1356. Repealed by P.A. 89-387, eff. 1-1-96.)

(225 ILCS 410/3-5D) (from Ch. 111, par. 1703.5D)
Sec. 3-5D.
(Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 85-1382. Repealed by P.A. 89-387, eff. 1-1-96.)

(225 ILCS 410/3-5E) (from Ch. 111, par. 1703-5E)
Sec. 3-5E.
(Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 85-1382. Repealed by P.A. 89-387, eff. 1-1-96.)

(225 ILCS 410/3-6) (from Ch. 111, par. 1703-6)
(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026)
Sec. 3-6. Examination. The Department shall authorize
examinations of applicants for licensure
as cosmetologists and teachers of cosmetology
at the times and
places it may determine. The Department may provide by rule for the administration of the examination prior to the completion of the applicant's program of training as required in Section 3-2, 3-3, or 3-4. Notwithstanding Section 3-2, 3-3, or 3-4, an applicant for licensure as a cosmetologist who has completed 1,200 hours in the study of cosmetology may take the examination. If an applicant for licensure as a cosmetologist
fails to pass 3
examinations conducted by the
Department, the applicant shall, before taking a subsequent examination,
furnish evidence of not less than 250 hours of additional study of
cosmetology in an approved school of cosmetology since the applicant last
took the examination. If an applicant for licensure as a cosmetology teacher
fails to pass 3 examinations conducted by the Department, the applicant shall,
before taking a subsequent examination, furnish evidence of not less than 80
hours of additional study in teaching methodology and educational psychology
in an approved school of cosmetology since the applicant last took the
examination. An applicant who fails to pass the fourth
examination shall not again be admitted to an examination unless: (i) in the
case of an applicant for licensure as a cosmetologist, the applicant again
takes and completes a program of 1500 hours in the study of
cosmetology in an
approved school of cosmetology extending over a period that commences after the
applicant fails to pass the fourth examination and that is not less than 8
months nor more than 7 consecutive years in duration; (ii) in the case
of an
applicant for licensure as a cosmetology teacher, the applicant again takes and
completes a program of 1000 hours of teacher training in an
approved school of
cosmetology, except that if the applicant had 2 years of practical experience
as a licensed cosmetologist within the 5 years preceding the initial
examination taken by the applicant, the applicant must again take and complete
a program of 500 hours of teacher training in an approved school of
cosmetology, esthetics,
or nail technology; or (iii) in the case of an applicant for licensure as a
cosmetology clinic teacher, the applicant again takes and completes a
program of
250 hours of clinic teacher training in a licensed
school of cosmetology or an instructor's institute of 20 hours. The requirements for remedial training set forth in this Section may be waived in whole or in part by the Department upon proof to the Department that the applicant has demonstrated competence to again sit for the examination. The Department shall adopt rules establishing the standards by which this determination shall be made. Each cosmetology applicant shall be given a written
examination testing both
theoretical and practical knowledge, which shall include, but not be
limited to, questions that determine the applicant's knowledge of
product chemistry, sanitary rules, sanitary procedures,
chemical service procedures, hazardous chemicals and exposure minimization,
knowledge of the anatomy of the skin, scalp, hair, and nails as they relate to
applicable services under this Act and labor and compensation laws.
The examination of applicants for licensure as a
cosmetology, esthetics, or nail technology teacher may include
all of the elements of the exam for licensure as a
cosmetologist, esthetician, or nail technician and also include teaching
methodology, classroom management,
record keeping, and any other related subjects that the Department in its
discretion may deem
necessary to insure competent performance.
This Act does not prohibit the practice of cosmetology by one who has
applied in writing to the Department, in form and substance satisfactory to
the Department, for a license as a cosmetologist, or the
teaching of
cosmetology by one who has applied in writing to the Department, in form
and substance satisfactory to the Department, for a license
as a cosmetology teacher or cosmetology clinic teacher, if the person has
complied with all the
provisions of this Act in order to qualify for a license, except the passing of
an examination to be eligible to
receive a license, until: (a) the expiration of 6 months
after the
filing of the written application, (b) the decision of the Department
that the applicant has failed to pass an examination within 6 months or
failed without an approved excuse to take an examination conducted within 6
months by the Department, or (c) the withdrawal of the application.

(Source: P.A. 99-427, eff. 8-21-15; 100-642, eff. 1-1-19; 100-934, eff. 1-1-19.)

(225 ILCS 410/3-7) (from Ch. 111, par. 1703-7)
(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026)
Sec. 3-7. Licensure; renewal; continuing education. The
holder of a license issued under this Article III may renew that license during
the month preceding the expiration date thereof by paying the required fee,
giving such evidence as the Department may prescribe of completing not less
than 14 hours of continuing education for a cosmetologist, and 24 hours of
continuing education for a cosmetology teacher or cosmetology clinic teacher,
within the 2 years prior to renewal. The training shall be in subjects
approved by the Department as prescribed by rule upon recommendation of the Board and may include online instruction.
For the initial renewal of a cosmetologist's license which requires continuing education, as prescribed by rule, one hour of the continuing education shall include domestic violence and sexual assault awareness education as prescribed by rule of the Department. For every subsequent renewal of a cosmetologist's license, one hour of the continuing education may include domestic violence and sexual assault awareness education as prescribed by rule of the Department. The one-hour domestic violence and sexual assault awareness continuing education course shall be provided by a continuing education provider approved by the Department, except that completion from March 12, 2016 to March 15, 2016 of a one-hour domestic violence and sexual assault awareness course from a domestic violence and sexual assault awareness organization shall satisfy this requirement.
The Department may prescribe rules regarding the requirements for domestic violence and sexual assault awareness continuing education courses and teachers.
The Department shall establish by rule a means for the verification of
completion of the continuing education required by this Section. This
verification may be accomplished through audits of records maintained by
registrants, by requiring the filing of continuing education certificates with
the Department, or by other means established by the Department.
The Department, in its discretion, may waive
enforcement of the continuing education requirement in this Section, including the domestic violence and sexual assault awareness education requirement, and
shall adopt rules defining the standards and criteria for
that waiver under the following circumstances:
(Source: P.A. 98-911, eff. 1-1-15; 99-427, eff. 8-21-15; 99-766, eff. 1-1-17.)

(225 ILCS 410/3-7.1) (from Ch. 111, par. 1703-7.1)
(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026)
Sec. 3-7.1.
Inactive Status.
Any cosmetologist, cosmetology
teacher, or cosmetology clinic teacher who notifies the
Department in writing on forms prescribed by the Department, may elect to
place his or her license on an inactive status and shall, subject to rules
of the Department, be excused from payment of renewal fees until he or she
notifies the Department in writing of his or her desire to resume active
status.
Any cosmetologist, cosmetology teacher, or cosmetology clinic
teacher requesting restoration from
inactive status shall be required to pay the current renewal fee and to qualify
for the restoration of
his or her license, subject to rules of the Department. A license shall not
be restored from inactive status unless the cosmetologist,
cosmetology
teacher, or cosmetology clinic teacher requesting the restoration completes
the number of hours of continuing
education required for renewal of a license under Section 3-7.
Any cosmetologist, cosmetology teacher, or cosmetology clinic
teacher whose license is in an inactive
status shall not practice in the State of Illinois.

(Source: P.A. 89-387, eff. 1-1-96; 90-302, eff. 8-1-97.)

(225 ILCS 410/3-8)
Sec. 3-8. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 98-911, eff. 1-1-15. Repealed by P.A. 99-427, eff. 8-21-15.)

(225 ILCS 410/3-8a) (from Ch. 111, par. 1703-8a)
Sec. 3-8a.
(Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 85-981. Repealed by P.A. 89-387, eff. 1-1-96.)

(225 ILCS 410/3-9)
(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026)
Sec. 3-9. Licensed barber seeking license as cosmetologist. A licensed barber who submits to the Department an application for licensure as a cosmetologist must meet all requirements of this Act for licensure as a cosmetologist, except that such applicant shall be given credit for hours of instruction completed for his or her barber license in subjects that are common to both barbering and cosmetology and shall complete an additional 500 hours of instruction in subjects not within the scope of practice of a barber. The Department shall provide for the implementation of this provision by rule.

(Source: P.A. 99-427, eff. 8-21-15.)

(225 ILCS 410/3-10)
(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026)
Sec. 3-10. Licensed esthetician or licensed nail technician seeking license as a cosmetologist. A licensed esthetician or licensed nail technician who submits to the Department an application for licensure as a cosmetologist must meet all requirements of this Act for licensure as a cosmetologist except that such applicant shall be given credit for hours of instruction completed for his or her esthetician or nail technician license in subjects that are common to both esthetics or nail technology and cosmetology. The Department shall provide for the implementation of this provision by rule.

(Source: P.A. 99-427, eff. 8-21-15.)