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Illinois barber license — 1,500 training hours, exam details, fees ($128), and application steps. Verified 2026 data. Data verified 2026-03-23. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Barber
Governing Authority
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
Official website →Most information on this page has been verified.
84% of data points are verified against official sources. 3 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
1,500 hrs
Training Hours
Written + Practical
Exam Type
$128
Gov. Fees
Available
Apprenticeship
2 years (expires July 31 of odd-numbered years)
Renewal Cycle
No
CE Required
Minimum Age
16 years old
Education Level
8th grade
Residency
No state residency required
Background Check
Not required
Total Training Hours
1,500 hours
Barber school or apprenticeship
Apprenticeship Alternative
3,000 hours required
3,000 hours under licensed barber in registered barber shop.
Online Hours Allowed
Not specified; contact the board
Curriculum Includes
Illinois Barber Written Examination
Computer-based written exam available in English and Spanish. Administered by CTS (NOT PSI directly, though PSI testing centers are used).
Illinois Barber Practical Examination
Hands-on demonstration of barbering skills.
Haircutting, shaving, trimming beards, shampooing, styling, hair coloring, chemical treatments, scalp treatments, and facial treatments for compensation.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee No separate application fee | N/A |
Exam Fee Non-refundable, paid to CTS | $98 |
License Fee Initial license fee | $30 |
Total Government Fees Exam ($98) + license ($30) | $128 |
Barber School Tuition: $5,000-$18,000
Varies by school; NOT a government fee
Endorsement available for out-of-state licensees — apply directly to IDFPR (NOT through CTS).
Additional Requirements: License verification required.
Illinois maintains separate barber and cosmetology licenses under IDFPR.
Initial License Term
2 years
Renewal Cycle
2 years (expires July 31 of odd-numbered years)
Renewal Fee
$50
Continuing Education
Not required
Regulatory Board
Shop License Fee: $50 (Shop license fee)
Barbershops must be separately licensed and pass health/safety inspections.
Illinois is notable for using Continental Testing Services (CTS) for exam administration rather than the more common PSI or NIC. The 1,500-hour requirement is completed in about 12 months of full-time study.
Exams administered by Continental Testing Services (CTS), NOT PSI directly (though PSI centers used).
Pre-graduation testing: can sit for exam at 1,200 hours, but need 1,500 to get license.
Application valid for 3 years — must pass exam within that period.
Apprenticeship available: 3,000 hours under licensed barber in registered shop.
Illinois does NOT require CE for barbers (cosmetologists need 14 hours).
Endorsement: apply directly to IDFPR ($45), NOT through CTS.
Exam available in English and Spanish (written); Chinese cosmetology exam available in paper format.
License expires July 31 of odd-numbered years.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Illinois.
How this state compares to 35 others for this profession
Timeline
#18 of 36
Salary
#23 of 36
Cost
#22 of 36
Processing
#1 of 36
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Barbers (SOC 39-5011)
Entry Level
$35,420
25th percentile
Median
$36,300
-7% vs. national avg ($38,960)Experienced
$62,400
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
290 employed in this state
Note: BLS OEWS data reflects only base wages reported by employers. Barber income often includes tips and booth rental arrangements not captured in these figures.
Source: BLS OEWS – Barbers (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+4.1%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
+3,100
over 10 years
Annual Openings
8,400
per year (avg.)
76,000 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Source: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) — Licensing Requirements
Estimated total: 56–91 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) — Licensing Requirements
2–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) — Licensing Requirements
Study guides and practice tests for the barber licensing exam.
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Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Illinois requires 1,500 hours of barber training. Find approved schools and programs near you.
Contact your state barber board for a list of approved schools.