IllinoisHB3460104th General Assembly (2025–2026)HouseWALLET

COSMETOLOGY/BARBER-APPRENTICES

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

Summary

Amends the Barber, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Hair Braiding, and Nail Technology Act of 1985. Provides that all apprentices shall be employed under an apprenticeship agreement between the sponsoring salon or shop and the apprentice that is approved by the Department of Labor. Provides requirements for the completion of an apprenticeship program, including training hours and supplemental instruction. Provides that an apprentice shall only provide licensed services under the supervision of a cosmetologist, barber, esthetician, or nail technician with an active license and for the scope of services for which the supervising licensed professional is licensed to practice. Requires apprentices to be trained in all branches of practical work and related supplemental instruction for the scope of practice for the license the apprentice seeks to obtain. Defines "apprentice". Provides that a person is qualified for a license as a barber if the person has graduated from a school of barbering or school of cosmetology approved by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation or completed an apprenticeship under the Act (rather than only if the person has graduated from a school). Provides that the Department shall prescribe reasonable rules for the registration of apprentices.

health care licensesassignmentslicensed activities

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

License access for incarcerated applicants

The licensing department must process an otherwise qualified applicant’s license request without delay just because the person is incarcerated in a covered facility. The department may waive certain three-year time limits and continuing-education rules. It must count relevant experience supervised by a licensee like training or experience gained in another state.

Apprenticeships offer new beauty license paths

The law lets people qualify for barber, cosmetology, esthetics, nail technology, and hair braiding licenses through apprenticeships. Cosmetology and barbering apprentices need 3,000 practical hours, including 180 hours of extra instruction. Esthetics requires 1,500 hours, including 90 extra hours; nail technology requires 700, including 42; hair braiding requires 600, including 36. School remains another route, with requirements that vary by profession. Apprentices must still meet other license rules.

New exam rules for beauty license applicants

The law removes exam rules tied to 1,200 study hours for barbers and cosmetologists, 600 hours for estheticians, and 280 hours for nail technicians. Hair braider applicants must complete 200 hours of instruction and pass an approved exam. The Department must offer at least four hair braider and teacher exams each year and provide Spanish or another needed language on request. Missing the next available exam without an approved excuse forfeits the fee and denies the application; an application expires after three years without a passing exam. After three failed exams, hair braider applicants need 20 more study hours and teacher applicants need 76, though the Department may waive some or all.

Pay and safeguards for salon apprentices

A salon or shop sponsoring an apprentice must pay at least the state minimum wage and provide for raises as skills and experience grow. When feasible, the agreement must include a job offer or help finding work after training. Apprentices may work only under a qualified, active license holder and within that person’s license scope; salons and shops must notify customers. Schools may include apprentices in business or manufacturing work related to school operations. The Department must set apprenticeship rules.

Training exceptions to unlicensed-work fines

Qualifying apprentices and some licensed-school students are exempt from the civil penalty of up to $5,000 per offense for working without a license. Apprentices must work in the salon or shop that is part of their program. Students must work in a licensed school clinic or in an internship at a licensed salon or shop.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

There is no primary sponsor on record.

Cosponsors

  • Aarón M. Ortíz

    Democratic • House

  • Adriane L. Johnson

    Democratic • Senate

  • Barbara Hernandez

    Democratic • House

  • Christopher Belt

    Democratic • Senate

  • Cristina Castro

    Democratic • Senate

  • Dave Syverson

    Republican • Senate

  • Dave Vella

    Democratic • House

  • Elizabeth "Lisa" Hernandez

    Democratic • House

  • Emanuel "Chris" Welch

    Democratic • House

  • Harry Benton

    Democratic • House

  • La Shawn K. Ford

    Democratic • House

  • Lakesia Collins

    Democratic • Senate

  • Laura Faver Dias

    Democratic • House

  • Laura Fine

    Democratic • Senate

  • Laura M. Murphy

    Democratic • Senate

  • Lisa Davis

    Democratic • House

  • Mattie Hunter

    Democratic • Senate

  • Michael Crawford

    Democratic • House

  • Michelle Mussman

    Democratic • House

  • Napoleon Harris III

    Democratic • Senate

  • Nicolle Grasse

    Democratic • House

  • Robert "Bob" Rita

    Democratic • House

  • Will Guzzardi

    Democratic • House

  • Yolonda Morris

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 154 • No: 49

Senate vote • 5/19/2026

Third Reading - Passed;

Yes: 55 • No: 2

Senate vote • 5/6/2026

Do Pass Licensed Activities;

Yes: 8 • No: 0

House vote • 4/16/2026

Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed

Yes: 75 • No: 37

House vote • 4/15/2026

House Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommends Be Adopted Health Care Licenses Committee;

Yes: 8 • No: 5

House vote • 3/25/2026

Do Pass / Short Debate Health Care Licenses Committee;

Yes: 8 • No: 5

Actions Timeline

  1. Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0478

    6/26/2026House
  2. Effective Date January 1, 2027

    6/26/2026House
  3. Governor Approved

    6/26/2026House
  4. Sent to the Governor

    6/18/2026House
  5. Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Robert "Bob" Rita

    5/27/2026House
  6. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Lakesia Collins

    5/19/2026Senate
  7. Passed Both Houses

    5/19/2026House
  8. Third Reading - Passed; 055-002-000

    5/19/2026Senate
  9. Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 19, 2026

    5/18/2026Senate
  10. Second Reading

    5/18/2026Senate
  11. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Napoleon Harris III

    5/14/2026Senate
  12. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Dave Syverson

    5/7/2026Senate
  13. Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Michelle Mussman

    5/7/2026House
  14. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Laura Fine

    5/7/2026Senate
  15. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Laura M. Murphy

    5/7/2026Senate
  16. Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading May 7, 2026

    5/6/2026Senate
  17. Do Pass Licensed Activities; 008-000-000

    5/6/2026Senate
  18. Added as Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Cristina Castro

    5/6/2026Senate
  19. Added as Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Adriane L. Johnson

    4/30/2026Senate
  20. Added as Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Christopher Belt

    4/30/2026Senate
  21. Assigned to Licensed Activities

    4/28/2026Senate
  22. Referred to Assignments

    4/21/2026Senate
  23. First Reading

    4/21/2026Senate
  24. Chief Senate Sponsor Sen. Mattie Hunter

    4/21/2026Senate
  25. Placed on Calendar Order of First Reading

    4/21/2026Senate

Bill Text

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