Illinois is one of the most fashion-forward states in the Midwest, thanks to major cities like Chicago and Springfield.
As a nail technician in this state, you can work in busy metropolitan areas or upscale suburbs to give clients beautiful nails and build your skills
Nail Tech Schools in ChicagoThe next step in getting a nail technician license in Illinois is taking your licensing exams. This includes a written test and a hands-on practical exam. When you apply for your exams, you must also pay a $210 fee to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. After you pass your exams and they approve your application, you may get your IL nail tech license and start your career.
How do you get your foot in the door in this field? Of course, it all comes down to training. At a licensed nail tech program in Illinois, you can learn from nail technicians with years or decades of experience. As you learn new techniques, you practice them on mannequin hands to strengthen your skills. You also get to work with real clients, which helps you learn how to communicate with customers and make your work more efficient. In Illinois, applicants need at least 350 hours of training to qualify for licensure. Required course topics are listed below.
Courses Taught at Illinois Nail Tech Schools
- Nail care history
- Ethics
- Bacteriology and sanitation
- Body systems
- Massage theory
- Client communication
- Sculpting procedures
- Light-cured gels
- Machines and apparatus
- Manicuring
- Pedicuring
- Massaging the hands, arms, feet, and legs
- Product knowledge
- Salon management
Like most states, Illinois requires nail technician training and licensure to work legally in this state. If you have a goal to work in nails, then you will need to complete a minimum 350-hour training program, and then go through the initial license application process. Once you receive your nail technician license in Illinois, you will need to renew before September 30th in even-numbered years. The fee for renewal is $25. Illinois also requires 14 continuing education units between each renewal period. Be sure to ask each beauty school in your area how they help students prepare for this process.
When its time to start your nail technology career, you can figure out if you fit in at a high-end hair salon, a luxurious resort spa, or a small nail salon. No matter where you work, you can look forward to spending your days applying artificial nails, beautifying natural nails, and softening skin with manicures and pedicures. In Illinois, demand for nail professionals is growing. Between 2014 and 2024, job openings may increase 8% throughout the state (O*Net, 2016). The average salary for an Illinois manicurist is $22,480 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2016).
Nail art and professional nail care services have become increasingly popular within the past decade, which has increased the demand for nail technologists. Nail technologist jobs are projected to grow at a rate of 10% through the year 2024, which is slightly faster than the average growth rate for all other professions. Consumer interest in quicker and mobile nail care services is driving the bulk of the demand, but the need to replace retiring and transitioning nail technologists will also open up new job opportunities for manicurists. Some of the most popular salons in Illinois are:
- Kinzie Nails & Spa - Chicago, IL
- Glitter Nail Salon - Oak Park, IL
- Magic Nails Salon - Willowbrook, IL
Illinois Dept. of Professional RegulationBarber, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Hair Braiding, and Nail Technology Board
320 W. Washington St., 3rd Fl.
Springfield, IL 62786
100 W. Randolph Street, 9th Fl.
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone Number: 1-888-473-4858
The Illinois State Board of Cosmetology can help you with replacing a lost cosmetology license, updating change of name or change of address information, and acquiring out-of-state and other useful forms, as well as answer additional questions about obtaining an Illinois state cosmetology license.
