Illinois Esthetics Licensing Requirements
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) oversees esthetics licensing in Illinois. To obtain an Illinois esthetics license, you must complete 750 hours of training at an Illinois-licensed esthetics or cosmetology school, pass both the written and practical portions of the Illinois esthetics exam, and submit a license application with the required fees.
Illinois also offers a cosmetology license (1,500 hours) and a nail technology license (350 hours) for those who want different specializations.
Illinois State Board Exam Format
The Illinois esthetics written exam is administered by PSI Services and contains 100 multiple-choice questions. You have 90 minutes to complete the exam. The passing score is 75% (75 correct answers out of 100).
The practical exam is administered at PSI testing centers in Illinois and evaluates your ability to perform specific esthetics services. You must pass both portions within one year of each other.
Key Topics on the Illinois Esthetics Exam
Skin anatomy and physiology — the layers of the epidermis and dermis, the functions of the skin, and the structures within the skin are heavily tested on the Illinois exam.
Skin conditions and disorders — identifying common skin conditions and knowing which conditions are contraindications for facial services.
Facial treatments — the steps for basic facial services, including skin analysis, cleansing, exfoliation, extraction, massage, and mask application.
Hair removal — waxing techniques for the face and body, including contraindications for waxing services.
Sanitation and disinfection — Illinois has specific sanitation requirements for esthetics establishments. Know the IDFPR rules for disinfecting implements and maintaining a clean work area.
Illinois state laws — the Illinois Barber, Cosmetologist, Esthetician, Hair Braider, and Nail Technology Act and the IDFPR rules govern esthetics licensing in Illinois. Know the license renewal requirements (every two years) and the continuing education requirements (14 hours per renewal period).
Study Strategy for Illinois Students
The Illinois esthetics exam follows the NIC format, which means the technical content is similar to exams in other states. Focus on skin anatomy, skin conditions, and sanitation protocols, then spend the final week studying Illinois-specific laws and regulations.
For the practical exam, obtain the Illinois practical exam criteria from the IDFPR website and practice each skill to the exact standard described. Illinois practical exams are strictly scored.