Illinois bill opens beauty career apprenticeships

Illinois could soon expand career pathways for barbers, cosmetologists, nail technicians, and hair braiders through a new apprenticeship-based licensing system.

According to a June 8 report, Illinois is currently one of only five states that offer a single pathway to licensure for those professions. Aspiring cosmetologists in the state must complete 1,500 hours of unpaid training at a registered institution before qualifying for a license.

That requirement is among the highest in the country and is three times greater than the training hours required in New York.

House Bill 3460, which has passed the Illinois General Assembly and is awaiting Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s signature, would create apprenticeship pathways for workers seeking licenses in the beauty industry. Under the proposal, participants would receive hands-on training through state-approved programs while earning wages.

Supporters say the legislation would provide a lower-cost alternative to traditional cosmetology schools, where tuition can reach $20,000 or more.

Patrick Andriesen, senior writer at the Illinois Policy Institute, said the bill would help remove barriers for people seeking careers in the industry.

Apprenticeships are a proven path for career training for cosmetologists that have already been adopted by 28 states. This bill expands the opportunity for those with low-income backgrounds and a limited formal education. Current regulations are expensive and present unnecessary barriers to employment, not measures of quality control. Gov. Pritzker should sign this into law as soon as possible.”

The report also noted that other professions require significantly fewer training hours than cosmetology. Emergency medical technicians need 150 hours of instruction, while tattoo artists do not require state licensing.

For many cosmetology students, the required 1,500 hours take about a year to complete. The training is unpaid, and students are not allowed to accept tips while working in school clinics.

If Pritzker does not act on House Bill 3460 within 60 days of receiving it, the measure will automatically become law.

The legislation is being framed as part of a broader effort to modernize Illinois’s occupational licensing system and expand access to careers that could help more residents move above the federal poverty line.

The Illinois Policy Institute, which issued the report, is an independent nonprofit think tank based in Chicago. The organization focuses on policy issues in Illinois, including fiscal responsibility, government reform, education, and workforce access.