Esthetician Schools in Illinois
If you hope to become an esthetician in Illinois, there's no time like the present to begin your journey. In recent years, the field of esthetics has seen explosive growth. Illinois, the sixth most populous state in the U.S. and home to Chicago, the nation's third-largest city, is at the forefront of many of the latest trends in esthetics.
Browse our directory of esthetician schools in Illinois, or skip ahead to learn about the state's esthetician licensing requirements and job outlook.
Browse All Esthetician Schools in Illinois
For School Owners
Don't see your school listed? Want to discuss becoming a featured school in the directory? Contact us to learn more.
700 East Terra Cotta Avenue
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
1037-1043 Curtiss Street
Downers Grove, IL 60515
602 West Glen Avenue
Peoria, IL 61602
202 East University Street Suite H I J
Urbana, IL 61801
ABC School of Cosmetology and Nail Technology
Lake In The Hills, IL 60156
Paul Mitchell The School Bradley – Accredited
Bourbonnais, IL 60914
Paul Mitchell The School Normal – Accredited
Normal, IL 61761
You must attend a school that meets any licensure requirements as defined by your state. Most states require that you graduate from an accredited or state-approved school.
Related Beauty Careers
Not sure this is the right fit for you? Learn more about other career options in the beauty industry. Related specializations include:
Esthetician Schools Near Me
Check out the Esthetics/Skin Care schools these cities in Illinois have to offer.
How to Become a Esthetician in Illinois
- 750 education hours are required to become licensed.
- You must renew your license every 2 years.
- 10 continuing education hours are required to renew your license.
- The average for estheticians in Illinois is $53,490 ($25.72/hour).
- There is a predicted 6% job increase between 2018 - 2028 for estheticians.
According to the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR), you must meet the following requirements to become an esthetician in Illinois:
A cosmetology license, which requires 1,500 hours of training, may allow you to practice as an esthetician in Illinois. In contrast, an esthetician's license only allows you to work as an esthetician.
Illinois Esthetics Careers
Average yearly salary for esthetics in Illinois
Estheticians (also called skincare specialists) tend to earn slightly higher salaries than cosmetologists. In Illinois, estheticians earned a mean salary of $53,490 per year ($25.72 per hour) as of 2021, while cosmetologists earned $42,660.
In Illinois, esthetician jobs are expected to grow by 6% between 2018-2028.
The highest-paying metro areas for estheticians in Illinois are:
Data from CareerOneStop (2022)
State License Requirements
Required to earn a esthetics license
Estheticians in Illinois are qualified to perform cosmetic treatments; they're restricted from treating the deeper skin layers. Their work includes beautifying, massaging, cleansing, exfoliating, and stimulating the outer layer of skin. They may also apply makeup or eyelashes and remove unwanted hair.
Estheticians in Illinois aren't licensed to perform in-depth medical procedures, including Botox.
Though graduates of cosmetology programs may perform esthetic services, cosmetology licensure requires a total of 1,500 hours and includes hair and nail care.
If you're interested in working only with skin as an esthetician, the state law says you may earn an esthetician license with only 750 hours of training from a state-approved esthetics program.
Classes must cover, at a minimum, the following topics:
Can I Apprentice as an Esthetician in Illinois?
Illinois has no apprenticeship pathway to earning an esthetician's license.
Illinois Esthetician Licensing Requirements
If you meet the age and educational requirements, you can apply to take the esthetics licensure exam.
This 90-minute written exam, administered by the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC), costs $30 to take. The exam divides the required subjects listed above into two umbrellas, with the following amounts of focus:
You have three chances to pass the exam with at least a 75% score—if that doesn't happen, the state will require you to take an additional 125 hours of remedial esthetician training before you can apply to take the exam again.
Illinois Esthetician Licensure Reciprocity
If you have an esthetician license in another state and want to work in Illinois, the state offers licensure by endorsement.
For an endorsement to be possible, your state's licensure requirements must be similar to those of Illinois, or you need to have worked as a licensed esthetician for a certain amount of time. A full year of employment generally equals 150 hours of training.
In addition to proving your training meets or exceeds Illinois' requirements, you need to submit an application package to the IDFPR. The package must include official proof of licensure, proof of any name change (if applicable), and a $45 fee.
Esthetician Specialties in Illinois
If you want to offer specialized services in Illinois but don't want to obtain additional licensure, consider researching popular types of spas, salons, and treatments in your community.
In Illinois, many esthetics programs and salons/spas emphasize green practices, including the use of sustainable, natural products. While this is not a licensure specialty, it may be possible to study green or eco-friendly esthetics in your program or through continuing education.
You may also be able to earn additional certifications or undergo training related to specific treatments, products, or equipment. While programs must cover introductory practices for many of these specialties, additional training can set you apart.
For example, certifications or continuing education may be available in eyelash extensions, corrective esthetics, or lymph drainage.
Some spas and salons offer on-the-job training programs for certain treatments or products they may use.
While there isn't a license for medical estheticians, these professionals may perform all treatments estheticians can—plus a little more. They often work in locations traditional estheticians often can't, like dermatologists' offices. While some places may hire you and train you on the job, taking courses independently could give you a leg up on the competition.
Esthetician License Renewal in Illinois
License renewal period
Continuing education required
Your esthetician license in Illinois is good for two years, at which point you must renew your license. All licenses expire on September 30 of each odd-numbered year.
During the two years between expiration dates, you must complete 10 hours of continuing education units (CEUs), five of which can be completed online, to qualify for renewal.
All beauty professionals in Illinois must complete a one-hour CEU over domestic violence and sexual assault awareness. Estheticians are especially well-positioned to recognize signs of abuse due to their work on various parts of the body, allowing them to notice things like scars and bruises others may not see.
Contact the Illinois State Board of Esthetics
- 100 West Randolph, 9th Floor Chicago, IL 60601
- Website: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
- Call: 888-473-4858
Here are some additional resources for estheticians in Illinois.
America's Beauty Show
Headquartered in Chicago, IL, this U.S. chapter of CIDESCO provides members with access to industry news, policy advocacy, continuing education opportunities, networking, insider access to products and supplies, and more.
Chicago Magazine
This lifestyle publication highlights the best of the Chicago area, from news and politics to food and drink, culture, and style, including features on makeup, skincare, and other beauty-related subjects.