All Roll Calls
Yes: 188 • No: 0
IllinoisSB2495104th General Assembly (2025–2026)SenateWALLET
BCENT SUNSET EXTENSION
Sponsored By: Suzy Glowiak Hilton (Democratic)
Became Law
assignmentslicensed activitieshealth care licenses
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
15 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 2 costs, 10 mixed.
Easier cross-practice and teacher paths
Licensed cosmetologists may also work in related areas, like esthetics or nails, as the Department allows. Cosmetology teachers may teach esthetics, and barber teachers may practice as barbers. For teacher licenses, the Department can accept similar college coursework or a current state educator license plus two years of teaching. Educator professional development hours can count toward continuing education.
Stronger student refunds and clear contracts
Enrollment agreements must be clear about course hours, dates, total cost, refund rules, and your right to cancel until midnight of the fifth business day. Application and registration fees cannot be more than $100. If you cancel within five business days, you get a full refund; schools must mail an acknowledgment within 15 days and refund within 45 days. If you cancel after the first day but before 5% of the course, the school may keep the application/registration fee and up to 10% of tuition or $300, whichever is less, plus books. You get one free official transcript; later transcripts can cost up to $2 each, and contracts cannot take away your right to make claims.
Stronger enforcement for salons and licensees
The law makes it illegal to practice or run a salon or school without the proper license or registration. Owners must register each location and, if not licensed, hire a licensed manager. The Department can seek court orders to stop unlicensed work, and you must surrender a license if it is suspended or revoked. Licensees can face discipline and civil fines up to $500 per violation.
Barber and cosmetology training and exams
Barbers and cosmetologists must finish 1,500 hours of approved training and pass the exam. You can take some exams early: after 1,200 hours for barber or cosmetology and after 600 hours for esthetics. If you fail three exams, you must complete at least 250 extra hours of study unless the Department waives it. The Department must offer exams in Spanish and other needed languages on request. To be a barber teacher, you must be 18+, hold a barber or cosmetologist license, complete specified teacher training (for example, 500 hours plus 3 years’ experience or 1,000 hours), and pass the exam.
Hair braider training and renewals
Hair braiders must be 16+, finished with compulsory school, complete at least 300 clock hours, and pay the fee. The 300 hours include 35 hours basic training, 35 hours related concepts, 200 hours practices and procedures, and 30 hours business practices. Experienced braiders with at least two consecutive years of practice may get a license under special rules within two years of the law’s effective date. For renewal, braiders need 10 hours of CE every two years and teachers need 20 hours. The first renewal must include one hour on domestic violence and sexual assault awareness; the Department may waive CE for hardship.
Nail tech training, exams, and renewals
Nail technicians must be 16+, finish a 350-hour approved program (8 weeks to 2 years), and pass the exam. You may take the nail tech exam after 280 hours. The Department offers at least four exam dates a year and can test in Spanish and other languages; missing an exam without an excuse forfeits the fee. After three exam failures, extra training is required (60 hours for technicians, 80 for teachers), and after a fourth failure you must complete the full original program. To teach nails, you must be 18+, hold a cosmetologist or nail license, complete 500 hours plus two years’ experience or 625 hours, and pass the exam; you may keep the teacher license without keeping a tech license. For renewal, technicians need 10 hours of CE every two years and teachers need 20 hours (with at least 10 hours on teaching skills); the first renewal must include one hour on domestic violence and sexual assault awareness. You may place a nail license on inactive status to skip renewal fees, but you cannot practice; to restore, pay the current fee and complete required CE. In certain cases, applicants who have filed and met all other requirements may practice or teach for up to six months before passing.
Renewals, CE, inactive status, military relief
For renewal, cosmetologists need 14 CE hours every two years; cosmetology teachers/clinic teachers need 24 hours; estheticians need 10; esthetics teachers need 20. The first renewal must include one hour on domestic violence and sexual assault awareness, and the Department may waive CE for hardship, military service, illness, caregiving, or lack of access. Starting August 9, 2024, a Department-approved course on abnormal skin growth (including melanoma) is required for original applications filed on or after January 1, 2026, and for first renewals or restorations filed on or after January 1, 2026. You may place a license on inactive status and skip renewal fees, but you cannot practice; to restore, pay the current fee and complete required CE. If your license expired during qualifying federal service, you can restore it without paying lapsed renewal or reinstatement fees by applying within two years after service ends (not dishonorable) and filing an affidavit.
Sunset dates for licensing laws
Many Illinois professional licensing laws are repealed on January 1, 2026. Separately, the 1985 Barber and Cosmetology Act is repealed on January 1, 2031. These dates change the legal framework for affected licensees, schools, and shops on those days.
Enforcement, citations, and hearing rights
Salons and licensees must display licenses and the Department sign where clients enter or wait; mobile workers must show proof on request. Unlicensed practice can draw civil penalties up to $5,000 per offense, due in 60 days, enforceable like a court judgment. The Department can issue citations for listed violations with penalties up to $500 per violation; you have 30 days to request a hearing, and any fee or fine is due within 30 days of the final order. The Department investigates verified complaints, gives at least 30 days’ hearing notice, and requires a sworn answer within 20 days; notice may be by personal service, certified mail, or email to your address of record. The Department pays for a stenographer to keep an official record at discipline hearings; you may request records for the usual fee. You get 20 days after the Board’s report to seek a rehearing (time waiting for a transcript you ordered does not count). The Secretary may appoint hearing officers, and if the Board does not act in 60 days the Secretary issues an order. The Secretary may temporarily suspend a license without a hearing if there is imminent danger (a hearing must start within 30 days). A court’s involuntary-admission finding automatically suspends a license until the court and Board clear the person to return to practice.
Rules to open and run schools
You must be licensed to run a paid barber, cosmetology, esthetics, hair braiding, or nail school. Applications must include a floor plan, a one‑year lease or ownership proof (public schools may get some waivers), corporate and ownership papers, proof you can operate for three months, teacher lists with license numbers, curricula, the enrollment agreement, and fees. The Department can inspect with or without notice, and you must pass a final Department inspection and get fire approval before classes start. The Department reviews schools, can investigate complaints and give 30 days to correct issues, and may order you to stop marketing and enrollment during fixes. Schools face fines up to $5,000 per violation and license action for listed causes (including a 25% or higher first‑time exam failure rate); you must keep records for withdrawn students at least seven years and keep graduate transcripts forever. The Secretary may waive certain operational rules for correctional or certain public secondary schools, but they still must be licensed.
Who is exempt from licensing
The Act does not cover some groups and settings. These include private association education not open to the public, nurses acting within nursing scope, film or stage work, and approved inmate work while incarcerated.
Nonrefundable exam fees and deadlines
Exam and screening fees are nonrefundable. If you miss your exam without an approved excuse, you lose the fee. After you pass, you have one year to apply for your license or you must retake the exam. Endorsement and restoration applicants have three years to finish the process or forfeit the fee.
Clearer citation and hearing rules
A citation must be issued within six months after a violation is reported. The Department may serve citations by certified mail or by email to your address of record. Courts can order witnesses and records to appear for hearings. For court review, the plaintiff must pay the Department’s record‑certification costs or the case may be dismissed; exhibits are certified for free. The Act adopts state administrative hearing rules and says mailed or emailed notices count. The Department can still take more action for repeat or ongoing violations.
How to apply or transfer your license
To get a license, you apply on Department forms, prove your qualifications, swear to the application, and pay the fee. If you already hold a license in another state or country, the Department may license you in Illinois without an exam under its rules. You must give a mailing address and an email, and report any change within 14 days. If a payment to the Department is returned, you owe the amount plus a $50 fine and must pay by certified check or money order within 30 days or the license can be ended or an application denied. To restore a license after termination for nonpayment, you must pay all fees and fines and any restoration processing fee.
State oversight of beauty licenses
The Department runs exams, sets licensing and school rules, inspects salons and schools, collects fees, and sets health and sanitation standards. An 11‑member board with set terms and limits advises the Department and helps guide the system.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Suzy Glowiak Hilton
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
Bob Morgan
Democratic • House
Jawaharial Williams
Democratic • House
Kimberly A. Lightford
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/22/2025
Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed
Yes: 113 • No: 0
House vote • 4/23/2025
Do Pass / Short Debate Health Care Licenses Committee;
Yes: 13 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/9/2025
Third Reading - Passed;
Yes: 56 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/19/2025
Do Pass Licensed Activities;
Yes: 6 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0153
8/1/2025SenateEffective Date January 1, 2026; Some Provisions
8/1/2025SenateEffective Date August 1, 2025; Some Provisions
8/1/2025SenateGovernor Approved
8/1/2025SenateSent to the Governor
6/20/2025SenatePassed Both Houses
5/22/2025SenateThird Reading - Short Debate - Passed 113-000-000
5/22/2025HousePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
5/16/2025HouseSecond Reading - Short Debate
5/16/2025HousePlaced on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate
4/23/2025HouseDo Pass / Short Debate Health Care Licenses Committee; 013-000-000
4/23/2025HouseAdded Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Jawaharial Williams
4/23/2025HouseAssigned to Health Care Licenses Committee
4/17/2025HouseReferred to Rules Committee
4/9/2025HouseFirst Reading
4/9/2025HouseChief House Sponsor Rep. Bob Morgan
4/9/2025HouseArrived in House
4/9/2025HouseThird Reading - Passed; 056-000-000
4/9/2025SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading
4/9/2025SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading **
4/4/2025SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Kimberly A. Lightford
4/4/2025SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading April 1, 2025
3/20/2025SenateSecond Reading
3/20/2025SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading March 20, 2025
3/19/2025SenateDo Pass Licensed Activities; 006-000-000
3/19/2025Senate
Bill Text
Engrossed
Enrolled
Introduced