Barber · Cosmetology | Illinois | Licensing updates
Illinois Adds Five-Language Barber and Cosmetology Exams October 1
Illinois barber, cosmetology, esthetician, and nail technician examinations will be offered in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese beginning…
- Candidates testing on or after October 1 should confirm the selected examination language during the application and scheduling process.
- Schools should update counseling for Spanish-, Chinese-, Korean-, and Vietnamese-speaking barber and beauty students.
- Use the fee for the exact profession and instructor or non-instructor examination.
- Do not infer a blueprint or qualification change from the language-expansion notice.
Published: 2026-09-01 · Reviewed: 2026-09-01
Official context
Illinois IDFPR states that, effective October 1, 2026, barber, cosmetology, esthetician, and nail technician examinations will be available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese. The notice applies the same language list to instructor examinations and publishes these fees: Barber $112, Barber Instructor $55, Cosmetology $200, Cosmetology Instructor $112, Esthetician $175, Esthetician Instructor $55, Nail Technician $190, and Nail Technician Instructor $55.
What this means
Schools and exam candidates can use the added language options when planning an Illinois testing path instead of assuming English is the only choice. The IDFPR notice announces language availability and fees; it does not announce a new examination content standard, eligibility path, or scope-of-practice change. Candidates should still use the current Illinois application and testing instructions for approval, scheduling, identification, accommodations, and the exact examination selected.
Official sources
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