Illinois licenses nail technicians through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). You need an Illinois Licensed Nail Technician credential to legally perform manicures, pedicures, and nail enhancement services for compensation anywhere in the state, including Chicago.
Illinois requires 350 hours of approved training at a licensed nail technology or cosmetology school and passing a written examination. There is no practical exam required. The total application and exam fees are approximately $215. Most people complete the full process in 2 to 4 months. Here is exactly how to do it.
Illinois Nail Technician License Requirements at a Glance
| Official License Title | Licensed Nail Technician |
| Governing Agency | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) |
| Minimum Age | 16 years old |
| Education Prerequisite | Beyond compulsory school attendance OR high school diploma/GED |
| Training Hours Required | 350 hours at a licensed school (minimum 8 weeks, maximum 2 years) |
| State Board Exam | Written exam only (75% to pass), no practical exam |
| Exam Provider | Continental Testing Services (CTS) / PSI Services |
| Exam Fee | $185 (paid to CTS, non-refundable) |
| Application Fee | $30 (paid to IDFPR) |
| Total Initial Cost | Approximately $215 (plus school tuition) |
| License Term | 2 years (expires October 31 of even-numbered years) |
| Renewal Fee | $50 |
| Continuing Education | 10 hours per renewal cycle (first renewal exempt) |
| Apply Online | IDFPR Nail Technology |
Step 1: Meet the Minimum Eligibility Requirements
To enroll in an Illinois nail technology program and apply for licensure, you must be at least 16 years old and either be beyond the age of compulsory school attendance or have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent certificate.
Illinois also requires a Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) check as part of the application process. Having a criminal record does not automatically disqualify you, but certain convictions may be reviewed by the Board.
Step 2: Complete Your Training
Illinois requires completion of 350 clock hours of instruction in nail technology from a school licensed by IDFPR. Unlike some other states, Illinois does not offer an apprenticeship pathway for nail technicians—all training must be completed at a licensed school.
Training Requirements
Your program must be completed at a licensed nail technology school or a licensed cosmetology school approved by IDFPR to teach nail technology. The program must span a minimum of 8 weeks but cannot exceed 2 consecutive years.
Curriculum Breakdown (350 Hours)
The Illinois nail technology curriculum includes the following subject areas:
Nail Care History, Hygiene, Ethics, and Safety (50 hours): Personal hygiene, professional ethics, bacteriology, OSHA standards, and sanitation practices.
Body Systems and Client Relations (15 hours): Anatomy of hands and feet, massage theory, and client communication skills.
Nail Technology Procedures (255 hours): Fabric procedures, sculpting procedures, light-cured gels, machines and apparatus, manicures, pedicures, hand and foot massage, artificial nail application, and product knowledge.
Business Skills and Management (30 hours): Salon management, client retention, and business practices.
Tuition at Illinois nail technician schools typically ranges from $2,000 to $6,000 depending on the school and location.
Step 3: Apply for and Pass the Licensing Exam
After completing your 350 hours of training, you must pass a written examination to obtain your license. Illinois does not require a practical (hands-on) exam for nail technicians.
Exam Application Process
Register for the exam through Continental Testing Services (CTS) online at continentaltestinginc.com. Pay the $185 non-refundable exam fee by credit card or mail. Submit your official school transcript showing completion of 350 hours and a passing grade on your school’s final examination.
Pre-Graduation Option: If you have completed at least 280 hours, you may apply to take the exam before graduation by submitting an official preliminary transcript from your school.
After your application is approved, you will receive an Approval to Test (ATT) email from PSI with instructions for scheduling your exam. You have 60 days from the date of this email to schedule and take your exam. If you do not complete your exam within 60 days, your fee is forfeited.
Written Exam Details
| Format | Computer-based, multiple choice |
| Number of Questions | 65 questions |
| Passing Score | 75% |
| Exam Fee | $185 |
| Testing Locations | PSI testing centers throughout Illinois |
The exam covers sanitation and infection control, nail structure and growth, nail disorders and diseases, manicuring and pedicuring, nail enhancements, and Illinois laws and rules.
PSI testing centers are located in Carbondale, Champaign, downtown Chicago, East Peoria, Peoria, Galesburg, Glen Ellyn, Springfield, and Westmont. Some centers are proctored by on-site personnel, while others use remote proctoring with video cameras and microphones.
Getting Your Results
You will receive a preliminary score report on-screen immediately after completing your exam. An official CTS letter will be mailed to you within one to two weeks confirming your results.
If you pass, the letter will include an application for licensure with instructions on how to complete it. If you fail, your score report will include a diagnostic breakdown showing which areas need improvement.
Retaking the Exam
If you fail, you must wait 30 days before reapplying. You can retake the exam up to three times. If you fail the fourth time, you must complete an additional 350 hours of instruction before taking the exam again.
Step 4: Apply for Your Nail Technician License
After passing the exam, submit your application for licensure to IDFPR.
Apply online through the IDFPR CORE Portal with the $30 application fee. Include any required documentation as specified in your CTS results letter.
New Requirement (Effective January 1, 2026): All applicants for original licensure must submit proof of completion of an IDFPR-approved course in abnormal skin growth education, including training on identifying melanoma. The approved course “Skinny on Skin” by Impact Melanoma, Inc. can be completed online.
Applications are active for three years from the date of receipt. Allow several weeks for processing.
License Renewal
Illinois nail technician licenses must be renewed every two years. Your license expires on October 31 of even-numbered years (2026, 2028, etc.).
| Renewal Fee | $50 |
| Continuing Education | 10 hours per renewal cycle |
| Renewal Cycle | Every 2 years |
| Expiration Date | October 31 of even-numbered years |
| Renew Online | IDFPR License Renewal |
Continuing Education Requirements
First renewal: You are NOT required to complete continuing education for your first license renewal.
Subsequent renewals: You must complete 10 hours of board-approved continuing education during each two-year renewal period.
The 10 hours must include:
Instructor-Led Hours (5 hours minimum): At least half of your CE hours must be completed in an instructor-led format (in-person classroom courses).
Distance Learning (5 hours maximum): Up to half of your CE hours may be completed through distance learning options, including online courses.
Domestic Violence Training (1 hour, one-time): A one-hour, one-time continuing education course on domestic violence awareness is required. This course is typically completed during your first renewal that requires CE.
All courses must be from IDFPR-approved continuing education sponsors. View the list of approved CE sponsors on the IDFPR website.
Recent Update: On May 30, 2025, IDFPR issued a statewide variance allowing cosmetology professionals (including nail technicians) to complete all CE hours fully online.
Transferring an Out-of-State Nail Technician License to Illinois (Endorsement)
If you hold a current nail technician license from another state, you may apply for Illinois licensure by endorsement. Illinois does not have formal reciprocity agreements, but evaluates each endorsement application individually.
Endorsement Requirements
You must hold a current, active license in good standing from another U.S. state or territory. Your license must be the same or substantially similar to the Illinois nail technician license. You must provide official certification of licensure from your original jurisdiction and from any state where you are currently licensed and practicing.
If your original training was less than 350 hours, you may complete up to 50 additional hours at a licensed Illinois nail technology or cosmetology school to meet the requirement.
You may be asked to provide school transcripts and/or verification of work experience to demonstrate your qualifications are substantially similar to Illinois requirements.
The endorsement application fee is $45.
Important: Illinois does not accept licenses obtained solely through reciprocity from another state. Licenses must have been originally earned through education and examination.
States Without Reciprocity
Illinois does not have reciprocity agreements with Connecticut, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, New Jersey, New Mexico, Rhode Island, or Utah. Applicants from these states may need to meet additional requirements or pass the Illinois examination.
Foreign Endorsement
If you are licensed as a nail technician in a foreign country, you must submit official documentation from the government agency in your original jurisdiction, official transcripts from your school showing individual subject areas and hours completed, and evidence that you have practiced nail technology for at least 3 years (but within 5 years preceding your application). You may be required to take additional coursework and/or pass the examination.
What Can You Do with an Illinois Nail Technician License?
Under the Illinois Barber, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Hair Braiding, and Nail Technology Act of 1985, a nail technician license authorizes you to perform:
Manicures: Cleaning, shaping, and polishing fingernails; cuticle care; hand and arm massage.
Pedicures: Cleaning, shaping, and polishing toenails; cuticle care; callus care; foot and lower leg massage.
Artificial Nails: Application of acrylic nails, gel nails (including light-cured gels), silk wraps, fiberglass wraps, nail tips, and sculptured nail enhancements.
Nail Art: Decorative designs and embellishments.
Electric Filing: Use of electric files and machines for nail preparation and shaping.
Services NOT Included (Out of Scope)
Nail technicians cannot perform hair cutting, coloring, or styling (requires Cosmetologist license); facials, skincare, or makeup application (requires Esthetician or Cosmetologist license); waxing or hair removal beyond the hands and feet (requires Esthetician or Cosmetologist license); or any service that involves cutting into living tissue.
Note: If you hold an Illinois Cosmetologist license, you can perform all nail services without needing a separate nail technician license.
Illinois Nail Technician Salary
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024), the national median hourly wage for manicurists and pedicurists was $14.93 per hour (approximately $31,050 annually). In the Chicago metropolitan area, nail technicians can earn significantly higher wages, with some sources reporting averages of $50,000 to $74,000 annually for experienced technicians.
Tips can significantly increase total compensation, often adding 15-25% to base earnings. Employment of manicurists and pedicurists is projected to grow 10 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a licensed nail technician in Illinois?
Most people complete the process in 2 to 4 months through the school pathway. A full-time 350-hour program takes a minimum of 8 weeks. After completing training, allow additional time for exam scheduling (you have 60 days to take the exam after approval) and application processing.
Does Illinois require a practical exam for nail technicians?
No. Illinois only requires a written exam for nail technicians. There is no hands-on practical exam.
Is there an apprenticeship option for nail technicians in Illinois?
No. Unlike some other states, Illinois does not offer an apprenticeship pathway for nail technicians. All 350 training hours must be completed at a licensed nail technology or cosmetology school.
Can I transfer my out-of-state nail technician license to Illinois?
Yes. Illinois offers endorsement for out-of-state license holders on a case-by-case basis. Your license must be substantially similar to the Illinois license. If your original training was less than 350 hours, you may need to complete additional hours (up to 50 hours) in Illinois. The endorsement fee is $45.
Does Illinois require continuing education for nail technicians?
Yes, but not for your first renewal. After your first renewal, you must complete 10 hours of board-approved continuing education every two years, including a one-time 1-hour domestic violence awareness course. At least 5 hours must be instructor-led (though recent variances allow 100% online completion).
What if I fail the exam?
You can retake the exam after waiting 30 days. You can retake up to three times. If you fail the fourth time, you must complete an additional 350 hours of training before retaking.
What is the new abnormal skin growth education requirement?
Effective January 1, 2026, all new applicants for original licensure must complete an IDFPR-approved course on abnormal skin growth education, including melanoma identification. The approved course “Skinny on Skin” by Impact Melanoma, Inc. can be completed online.
For a comparison of nail technician licensing requirements across all states, including training hours, exam formats, fees, and reciprocity rules, see our complete nail technician license guide.
Official Resources
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
Chicago Office: 555 West Monroe Street, 5th Floor, Chicago, IL 60661
Springfield Office: 320 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor, Springfield, IL 62786
Phone: 1-888-473-4858
TTY/TDD: 1-866-325-4949
Website: IDFPR Nail Technology
Apply for a Nail Technician License:
IDFPR CORE Portal
Nail Technician Requirements for Licensure:
Qualifications for Licensure (PDF)
Exam Registration:
Continental Testing Services – Nail Technician Exam
Candidate Study Guide:
NIC Testing – Study Resources
License Renewal:
IDFPR Online License Renewal
Approved CE Sponsors:
BCENT CE Sponsor List
Domestic Violence CE Sponsors:
Domestic Violence CE Sponsor List
License Verification:
IDFPR License Lookup
Print My License:
Print License
Barber, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Hair Braiding, and Nail Technology Act of 1985:
225 ILCS 410
Administrative Rules (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1175):
Part 1175 Rules