225 ILCS 410/ Barber, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Hair Braiding, and Nail Technology Act of 1985.

(225 ILCS 410/Art. III heading) ARTICLE III COSMETOLOGISTS

(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(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026)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:

a. Is at least l6 years of age; and

b. Is beyond the age of compulsory school attendance or has received a certificate of graduation from a school providing secondary education, or the recognized equivalent of that certificate; and

c. Has graduated from a school of cosmetology approved by the Department, having completed a program of 1,500 hours in the study of cosmetology extending over a period of not less than 8 months nor more than 7 consecutive years. A school of cosmetology may, at its discretion, consistent with the rules of the Department, accept up to 1,000 hours of barber school training at a recognized barber school toward the 1,500 hour program requirement of cosmetology. Time spent in such study under the laws of another state or territory of the United States or of a foreign country or province shall be credited toward the period of study required by the provisions of this paragraph; and

d. Has passed an examination authorized by the Department to determine eligibility to receive a license as a cosmetologist; and

e. Has met any other requirements of this Act.

(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:

a. Is at least 16 years of age; and

b. Has a certificate of graduation from a school providing secondary education, or the recognized equivalent of such a certificate, or is beyond the age of compulsory school attendance; and

c. Has graduated from a school of barbering approved by the Department having completed 1500 hours in the study of barbering, and a minimum of 500 additional hours in the study of cosmetology extending over a period of no less than 3 months nor more than one year. Time spent in such study under the laws of another state or territory of the United States or of a foreign country or province shall be credited toward the period of study required by the provisions of this paragraph; and

d. Has passed an examination authorized by the Department to determine fitness to receive a license as a cosmetologist; and

e. Has met any other requirements of this Act.

(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:

(1) is at least 18 years of age;

(2) has graduated from high school or its equivalent;

(3) has a current license as a cosmetologist;

(4) has either: (i) completed a program of 500 hours of teacher training in a licensed school of cosmetology and had 2 years of practical experience as a licensed cosmetologist within 5 years preceding the examination; (ii) completed a program of 1,000 hours of teacher training in a licensed school of cosmetology; or (iii) completed the barber teacher training as specified in subsection (d) of Section 2-4 of this Act and completed a supplemental cosmetology course as established by rule;

(5) has passed an examination authorized by the Department to determine eligibility to receive a license as a cosmetology teacher or barber teacher; and

(6) has met any other requirements of this Act.

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:

(1) is at least 18 years of age;

(2) has graduated from high school or its equivalent;

(3) has a current license as a cosmetologist;

(4) has (i) completed a program of 250 hours of clinic teacher training in a licensed school of cosmetology or (ii) within 5 years preceding the examination, has obtained a minimum of 2 years of practical experience working at least 30 full-time hours per week as a licensed cosmetologist and has completed an instructor's institute of 20 hours, as prescribed by the Department, prior to submitting an application for examination;

(5) has passed an examination authorized by the Department to determine eligibility to receive a license as a cosmetology teacher; and

(6) has met any other requirements of this Act.

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.)