Illinois license renewal and continuing education
How to renew a cosmetology license in Illinois
What it takes to renew a cosmetology, barber, nail technician or esthetician license in Illinois: when each expires, the renewal fee, the continuing education it needs, and what to do if you renew late or the license has lapsed. Every answer comes from IDFPR's own pages, rules and fee schedules, read on October 28, 2026.
| License | Continuing education | Fee | Renews | Late fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | 14 hours per renewal | Not stated | Every 2 years | $50 |
| Barber | 1 hour per renewal | Not stated | Every 2 years | $50 |
| Nail technician | 10 hours per renewal | Not stated | Every 2 years | $50 |
| Esthetician | 10 hours per renewal | Not stated | Every 2 years | $50 |
Renew on the board's site Check your license status The board's own words
Its continuing education works out to 7 hours a year of license.
Cosmetologist
Illinois cosmetology license renewal
Renewed through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsOn September 30 of each odd-numbered year.
- Renewal fee
- Not stated
- Continuing education
- 14 hours per renewal14 hours per renewal from a registered CE sponsor, including 1 hour of sexual harassment prevention and 1 hour of domestic violence and sexual assault awareness on the first renewal; subjects include sanitary procedures and hazardous chemicals; online courses count; the first renewal is exempt from profession-specific CE.
- Late renewal
- $50Restoring a lapsed license costs $50 plus all lapsed renewal fees, with the lapsed renewal fees not to exceed $200.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA lapsed license is restored with a $50 restoration fee plus all lapsed renewal fees, not to exceed $200; if the online portal no longer allows renewal, a Reinstatement application from IDFPR is required, and CE evidence must be submitted where applicable.
Barber
Illinois barber license renewal
Renewed through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsOn July 31 of each odd-numbered year.
- Renewal fee
- Not stated
- Continuing education
- 1 hour per renewalOne hour of sexual harassment prevention training is required each renewal cycle, beginning with the first renewal.
- Late renewal
- $50Restoring a lapsed license costs $50 plus all lapsed renewal fees, with the lapsed renewal fees not to exceed $200.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA lapsed license is restored with a $50 restoration fee plus all lapsed renewal fees, not to exceed $200, and CE evidence must be submitted where applicable.
Nail technician
Illinois nail technician license renewal
Renewed through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsOn October 31 of each even-numbered year.
- Renewal fee
- Not stated
- Continuing education
- 10 hours per renewal10 hours per renewal from a registered CE sponsor, including 1 hour of sexual harassment prevention and 1 hour of domestic violence and sexual assault awareness on the first renewal; subjects include sanitary procedures and hazardous chemicals; online courses count; the first renewal is exempt from profession-specific CE.
- Late renewal
- $50Restoring a lapsed license costs $50 plus all lapsed renewal fees, with the lapsed renewal fees not to exceed $200.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA lapsed license is restored with a $50 restoration fee plus all lapsed renewal fees, not to exceed $200, and CE evidence must be submitted where applicable.
Esthetician (Licensed Esthetician)
Illinois esthetician license renewal
Renewed through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsOn September 30 of each odd-numbered year.
- Renewal fee
- Not stated
- Continuing education
- 10 hours per renewal10 hours per renewal from a registered CE sponsor, including 1 hour of sexual harassment prevention and 1 hour of domestic violence and sexual assault awareness on the first renewal; subjects include sanitary procedures and hazardous chemicals; online courses count; the first renewal is exempt from profession-specific CE.
- Late renewal
- $50Restoring a lapsed license costs $50 plus all lapsed renewal fees, with the lapsed renewal fees not to exceed $200.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA lapsed license is restored with a $50 restoration fee plus all lapsed renewal fees, not to exceed $200, and CE evidence must be submitted where applicable.
Good to know
What else Illinois says about renewing
- Renewal is open for about two to three months before the expiration date shown on the license.
- The renewal fee is $25 per year of the license term.
- Practicing on an expired license is unlicensed activity and can be grounds for discipline.
Sources
What Illinois's official pages say
Each answer above, in the words of IDFPR's own pages, rules and fee schedules, read on October 28, 2026. Fees and deadlines change: confirm with the board before you renew.
- Cosmetologist: renewal period
“Cosmetologist licenses shall expire on September 30 of each odd-numbered year.”
ilga.gov “within the 2 years prior to the expiration date of the license, if renewing a cosmetology license”
ilga.gov - Cosmetologist: continuing education
“completing not less than 14 hours of continuing education for a cosmetologist”
ilga.gov “a minimum of 14 hours of CE from a cosmetology sponsor registered with the Division”
ilga.gov “B. Cosmetologists and Cosmetology Teachers shall complete 1 hour of Sexual Harassment Prevention training and 13 hours in subject areas within approved subject areas.”
idfpr.illinois.gov “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”
ilga.gov “CE shall be in the following subject areas for cosmetologists, estheticians, hair braiders and nail technicians:”
idfpr.illinois.gov “C. Sanitary procedures;”
idfpr.illinois.gov “A renewal applicant is not required to comply with CE for the first renewal after issuance of original license.”
ilga.gov “A licensee may earn the total hours required for renewal or restoration through completion of in-person courses and online through individual study courses (see Section 1175.1200(c)(6)).”
ilga.gov - Cosmetologist: late renewal
“Restoration. The fee for restoration of a license is $50 plus payment of all lapsed renewal fees not to exceed $200.”
ilga.gov - Cosmetologist: expired license
“Restoration. The fee for restoration of a license is $50 plus payment of all lapsed renewal fees not to exceed $200.”
ilga.gov “If an applicant misses the renewal window and the online portal does not allow you to renew after it concludes, you must reinstate their license by requesting a Reinstatement application from IDFPR”
idfpr.illinois.gov “When restoring a license to active status, the licensee will be required to submit evidence of completion of the CE requirements, where applicable.”
idfpr.illinois.gov - Barber: renewal period
“Barber, barber teacher and barber school licenses shall expire on July 31 of each odd numbered year.”
ilga.gov - Barber: continuing education
“A. Barbers and Barber Teachers shall complete 1 hour of Sexual Harassment Prevention training.”
idfpr.illinois.gov “Each individual license holder must complete a one-hour sexual harassment prevention course during each renewal cycle”
idfpr.illinois.gov - Barber: late renewal
“Restoration. The fee for restoration of a license is $50 plus payment of all lapsed renewal fees not to exceed $200.”
ilga.gov - Barber: expired license
“Restoration. The fee for restoration of a license is $50 plus payment of all lapsed renewal fees not to exceed $200.”
ilga.gov “When restoring a license to active status, the licensee will be required to submit evidence of completion of the CE requirements, where applicable.”
idfpr.illinois.gov - Nail technician: renewal period
“Every nail technician, nail technology teacher and nail technology school license shall expire on October 31 of each even-numbered year.”
ilga.gov “within the 2 years prior to the expiration date of the license”
ilga.gov - Nail technician: continuing education
“Nail Technician. Certify on the renewal application that they have successfully completed a minimum of 10 hours of CE from a sponsor registered with the Division”
ilga.gov “of completing not less than 10 hours of continuing education for a nail technician”
ilga.gov “D. Nail Technicians and Nail Technology Teachers shall complete 1 hour of Sexual Harassment Prevention training and 9 hours in subject areas within approved subject areas.”
idfpr.illinois.gov “For the initial renewal of a nail technician'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”
ilga.gov “CE shall be in the following subject areas for cosmetologists, estheticians, hair braiders and nail technicians:”
idfpr.illinois.gov “C. Sanitary procedures;”
idfpr.illinois.gov “A renewal applicant is not required to comply with CE requirements for the first renewal after issuance of the original license.”
ilga.gov “A licensee may earn the total hours required for renewal or restoration through completion of in-person courses and online through individual study courses (see Section 1175.1200(c)(6)).”
ilga.gov - Nail technician: late renewal
“Restoration. The fee for restoration of a license is $50 plus payment of all lapsed renewal fees not to exceed $200.”
ilga.gov - Nail technician: expired license
“Restoration. The fee for restoration of a license is $50 plus payment of all lapsed renewal fees not to exceed $200.”
ilga.gov “When restoring a license to active status, the licensee will be required to submit evidence of completion of the CE requirements, where applicable.”
idfpr.illinois.gov - Esthetician: renewal period
“Esthetician licenses shall expire on September 30 of each odd-numbered year.”
ilga.gov “within the 2 years prior to the expiration date of the license”
ilga.gov - Esthetician: continuing education
“Esthetician. Certify on the renewal application to successful completion of a minimum of 10 hours of CE from a sponsor registered with the Division”
ilga.gov “completing not less than 10 hours for estheticians”
ilga.gov “C. Estheticians and Esthetics Teachers shall complete 1 hour of Sexual Harassment Prevention training and 9 hours in subject areas within approved subject areas.”
idfpr.illinois.gov “For the initial renewal of an esthetician'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”
ilga.gov “CE shall be in the following subject areas for cosmetologists, estheticians, hair braiders and nail technicians:”
idfpr.illinois.gov “C. Sanitary procedures;”
idfpr.illinois.gov “A renewal applicant is not required to comply with CE for the first renewal after issuance of original license.”
ilga.gov “A licensee may earn the total hours required for renewal or restoration through completion of in-person courses and online through individual study courses (see Section 1175.1200(c)(6)).”
ilga.gov - Esthetician: late renewal
“Restoration. The fee for restoration of a license is $50 plus payment of all lapsed renewal fees not to exceed $200.”
ilga.gov - Esthetician: expired license
“Restoration. The fee for restoration of a license is $50 plus payment of all lapsed renewal fees not to exceed $200.”
ilga.gov “When restoring a license to active status, the licensee will be required to submit evidence of completion of the CE requirements, where applicable.”
idfpr.illinois.gov - Also good to know
“You will be able to renew for approximately 2-3 months prior to the expiration date shown on your license.”
idfpr.illinois.gov - Also good to know
“The fee for renewal of a license shall be calculated at the rate of $25 per year.”
ilga.gov - Also good to know
“Practicing or operating on a license that has expired shall be considered unlicensed activity and shall be grounds for discipline pursuant to Section 4-7 of the Act.”
ilga.gov
Questions
Illinois license renewal, answered
How do I renew my cosmetology license in Illinois?
The Illinois Cosmetologist license renews every 2 years, through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). When it expires: On September 30 of each odd-numbered year. Continuing education (14 hours per renewal): 14 hours per renewal from a registered CE sponsor, including 1 hour of sexual harassment prevention and 1 hour of domestic violence and sexual assault awareness on the first renewal; subjects include sanitary procedures and hazardous chemicals; online courses count; the first renewal is exempt from profession-specific CE. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew an Illinois cosmetology license?
Continuing education (14 hours per renewal): 14 hours per renewal from a registered CE sponsor, including 1 hour of sexual harassment prevention and 1 hour of domestic violence and sexual assault awareness on the first renewal; subjects include sanitary procedures and hazardous chemicals; online courses count; the first renewal is exempt from profession-specific CE.
What happens if my Illinois cosmetology license expires?
A lapsed license is restored with a $50 restoration fee plus all lapsed renewal fees, not to exceed $200; if the online portal no longer allows renewal, a Reinstatement application from IDFPR is required, and CE evidence must be submitted where applicable.
How do I renew my barber license in Illinois?
The Illinois Barber license renews every 2 years, through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). When it expires: On July 31 of each odd-numbered year. Continuing education (1 hour per renewal): One hour of sexual harassment prevention training is required each renewal cycle, beginning with the first renewal. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew an Illinois barber license?
Continuing education (1 hour per renewal): One hour of sexual harassment prevention training is required each renewal cycle, beginning with the first renewal.
What happens if my Illinois barber license expires?
A lapsed license is restored with a $50 restoration fee plus all lapsed renewal fees, not to exceed $200, and CE evidence must be submitted where applicable.
How do I renew my nail technician license in Illinois?
The Illinois Nail Technician license renews every 2 years, through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). When it expires: On October 31 of each even-numbered year. Continuing education (10 hours per renewal): 10 hours per renewal from a registered CE sponsor, including 1 hour of sexual harassment prevention and 1 hour of domestic violence and sexual assault awareness on the first renewal; subjects include sanitary procedures and hazardous chemicals; online courses count; the first renewal is exempt from profession-specific CE. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew an Illinois nail technician license?
Continuing education (10 hours per renewal): 10 hours per renewal from a registered CE sponsor, including 1 hour of sexual harassment prevention and 1 hour of domestic violence and sexual assault awareness on the first renewal; subjects include sanitary procedures and hazardous chemicals; online courses count; the first renewal is exempt from profession-specific CE.
What happens if my Illinois nail technician license expires?
A lapsed license is restored with a $50 restoration fee plus all lapsed renewal fees, not to exceed $200, and CE evidence must be submitted where applicable.
How do I renew my esthetician license in Illinois?
The Illinois Licensed Esthetician license renews every 2 years, through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). When it expires: On September 30 of each odd-numbered year. Continuing education (10 hours per renewal): 10 hours per renewal from a registered CE sponsor, including 1 hour of sexual harassment prevention and 1 hour of domestic violence and sexual assault awareness on the first renewal; subjects include sanitary procedures and hazardous chemicals; online courses count; the first renewal is exempt from profession-specific CE. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew an Illinois esthetician license?
Continuing education (10 hours per renewal): 10 hours per renewal from a registered CE sponsor, including 1 hour of sexual harassment prevention and 1 hour of domestic violence and sexual assault awareness on the first renewal; subjects include sanitary procedures and hazardous chemicals; online courses count; the first renewal is exempt from profession-specific CE.
What happens if my Illinois esthetician license expires?
A lapsed license is restored with a $50 restoration fee plus all lapsed renewal fees, not to exceed $200, and CE evidence must be submitted where applicable.
Plan the rest
Licensed, renewed, and fully booked
- Getting a first license in Illinois: training hours, exams and fees
- What a licensed esthetician may do in Illinois
- Running your own salon in Illinois: the salon license
- What Illinois inspectors check in a salon
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