Barber License Renewal in Illinois (2026)

Barber license renewal in Illinois is handled by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Professional Regulation, which requires Barbers to renew every 24 months. Below are the renewal deadline rule, continuing-education (CE) hours, fees, and a direct link to the official renewal page — last verified 2026-06-01. This is an unofficial guide; always confirm the details with the board before you file.

Illinois Barber renewal at a glance

Renewal cycle	24 months
Deadline rule	Illinois barber licenses expire July 31 of every odd-numbered year and must be renewed every two years. Licenses may be renewed in the period leading up to that expiration date.
CE hours required	None required
Renewal fee	$50.00
Online renewal	Yes
Governing body	Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Professional Regulation

Go to the official Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Professional Regulation renewal page →

Last verified 2026-06-01 from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Professional Regulation. automated research workflow (official illinois barber board), confidence high.

Continuing-education requirements for Barbers in Illinois

No continuing education is required to renew a standard Illinois barber license. (CE requirements apply to cosmetologists under the same Act, but not to barbers.)

Need approved hours? Compare Illinois Barber CE courses (some links are affiliate links).

How to renew your Barber license in Illinois

Confirm your renewal deadline and current status on the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Professional Regulation portal.
Submit the renewal application and pay the current fee online.
Keep proof of CE and your renewal confirmation for your records.

Good to know: Barbers are regulated under the Illinois Barber, Cosmetology, Esthetics and Nail Technology Act of 1985, administered by IDFPR's Division of Professional Regulation (no separate standalone barber board). The administrative fee rule (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1175.100) sets the renewal fee at $25 per year; across the 2-year cycle this equals $50. Rather than a flat late fee, a license lapsed/inactive for under 5 years is restored by contacting IDFPR; the code sets a restoration fee of $50 plus all lapsed renewal fees, not to exceed $200. A license inactive/non-renewed for 5+ years requires a formal restoration application (with a 250-hour refresher course, exam, or proof of out-of-state practice). IDFPR migrated to the new CORE online licensing system (launched Oct 30, 2024); online renewal is available.

Barber license renewal in Illinois: frequently asked questions

How often do I renew my Barber license in Illinois?

Illinois Barber licenses renew every 24 months. Illinois barber licenses expire July 31 of every odd-numbered year and must be renewed every two years. Licenses may be renewed in the period leading up to that expiration date.

How many CE hours are required to renew an Barber license in Illinois?

Illinois does not require continuing-education hours to renew a standard Barber license. No continuing education is required to renew a standard Illinois barber license. (CE requirements apply to cosmetologists under the same Act, but not to barbers.) Confirm the current rule with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Professional Regulation.

Can I renew my Illinois Barber license online?

Yes — Illinois offers online renewal through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Professional Regulation. Use the official link on this page.

What happens if I let my Illinois Barber license expire?

Practicing on an expired license is generally prohibited and can carry penalties. Late or reactivation fees may apply. Contact the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Professional Regulation promptly if your license has lapsed.

Renew the same license in another state

All states: Barber renewal