IL
Illinois Licensing Requirements
Burden Rank: #3 of 51 High Burden
97
Professions Licensed
1,522
Avg Education Hours
$197
Avg Initial Fee
31.0
Burden Score
Agriculture
| Profession | Edu. Hours | Exam | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arborist / Tree Surgeon | — | Yes | $50 | — | 3 yrs |
| Pesticide Applicator (Commercial) | — | Yes | $50 | — | 3 yrs |
| Water Well Driller | — | Yes | $50 | — | 3 yrs |
Animal Care
| Profession | Edu. Hours | Exam | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Breeder | — | No | $50 | — | 2 yrs |
| Farrier / Horseshoer | — | No | $50 | — | 2 yrs |
| Veterinarian | 5,838 | Yes | $468 | $376 | 2 yrs |
| Veterinary Technician | 2,419 | Yes | $234 | $188 | 2 yrs |
Construction
| Profession | Edu. Hours | Exam | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrician | 7,676 | Yes | $232 | $186 | 1 yr |
| Elevator Installer | 7,676 | Yes | $326 | $280 | 2 yrs |
| Fire Sprinkler Installer | — | Yes | $150 | — | 2 yrs |
| General Contractor | — | Yes | $466 | $374 | 2 yrs |
| Glazier | — | Yes | $150 | — | 2 yrs |
| HVAC Technician | 5,676 | Yes | $186 | $140 | 2 yrs |
| Land Surveyor | — | Yes | $150 | — | 2 yrs |
| Locksmith | — | Yes | $150 | — | 2 yrs |
| Mobile Home Installer | — | Yes | $150 | — | 2 yrs |
| Painter (Contractor) | — | Yes | $150 | — | 2 yrs |
| Pest Control Applicator | 37 | Yes | $186 | $163 | 3 yrs |
| Plumber | 7,676 | Yes | $278 | $232 | 1 yr |
| Roofer | — | Yes | $150 | — | 2 yrs |
| Security Alarm Installer | — | Yes | $150 | — | 2 yrs |
| Septic System Installer | — | Yes | $150 | — | 2 yrs |
Cosmetology
| Profession | Edu. Hours | Exam | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barber | 1,459 | Yes | $150 | $76 | 2 yrs |
| Body Piercer | 1,500 | Yes | $75 | — | 2 yrs |
| Cosmetologist | 1,551 | Yes | $173 | $85 | 2 yrs |
| Electrologist | 1,021 | Yes | $186 | $140 | 2 yrs |
| Esthetician | 940 | Yes | $154 | $71 | 2 yrs |
| Funeral Director / Embalmer | 1,500 | Yes | $75 | — | 2 yrs |
| Hair Braider | 1,500 | Yes | $75 | — | 2 yrs |
| Massage Therapist | 946 | Yes | $187 | $94 | 2 yrs |
| Nail Technician | 655 | Yes | $135 | $66 | 2 yrs |
| Tattoo Artist | 1,500 | Yes | $75 | — | 2 yrs |
Design
| Profession | Edu. Hours | Exam | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interior Designer | — | Yes | $326 | $234 | 2 yrs |
| Landscape Architect | — | Yes | $374 | $282 | 2 yrs |
Education
| Profession | Edu. Hours | Exam | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Childcare Center Director | 110 | No | $186 | $140 | 2 yrs |
| Elementary School Teacher | — | Yes | $233 | $141 | 5 yrs |
| School Counselor | — | Yes | $279 | $187 | 5 yrs |
| School Librarian / Media Specialist | 2,000 | Yes | $100 | — | 5 yrs |
| Secondary School Teacher | — | Yes | $233 | $141 | 5 yrs |
| Substitute Teacher | 2,000 | Yes | $100 | — | 5 yrs |
Engineering
| Profession | Edu. Hours | Exam | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Engineer (PE) | — | Yes | $466 | $374 | 2 yrs |
| Professional Geologist | — | Yes | $200 | — | 2 yrs |
Finance
| Profession | Edu. Hours | Exam | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certified Public Accountant (CPA) | — | Yes | $464 | $372 | 2 yrs |
| Debt Collector | — | Yes | $100 | — | 2 yrs |
| Insurance Agent | 75 | Yes | $231 | $185 | 2 yrs |
| Mortgage Loan Originator | 20 | Yes | $692 | $462 | 1 yr |
| Tax Preparer | — | Yes | $100 | — | 2 yrs |
Food & Hospitality
| Profession | Edu. Hours | Exam | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bartender / Alcohol Server | 15 | Yes | $69 | $46 | 3 yrs |
| Food Handler / Food Safety Certification | 15 | Yes | $46 | $37 | 3 yrs |
Healthcare
| Profession | Edu. Hours | Exam | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer | 3,419 | Yes | $234 | $188 | 2 yrs |
| Certified Nurse-Midwife | 1,000 | Yes | $100 | — | 2 yrs |
| Dental Assistant | 1,000 | Yes | $100 | — | 2 yrs |
| Dental Hygienist | 3,419 | Yes | $328 | $188 | 2 yrs |
| Dietetic Technician | 1,000 | Yes | $100 | — | 2 yrs |
| Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) | 194 | Yes | $163 | $140 | 2 yrs |
| Hearing Aid Specialist | 1,000 | Yes | $100 | — | 2 yrs |
| Home Health Aide | 1,000 | Yes | $100 | — | 2 yrs |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | 1,459 | Yes | $190 | $142 | 2 yrs |
| Medical Assistant | 1,000 | Yes | $100 | — | 2 yrs |
| Medical Lab Technician | 1,000 | Yes | $100 | — | 2 yrs |
| Occupational Therapist | 3,919 | Yes | $282 | $236 | 2 yrs |
| Optician (Dispensing) | 1,000 | Yes | $100 | — | 2 yrs |
| Optometrist | 4,919 | Yes | $466 | $374 | 2 yrs |
| Paramedic | 1,935 | Yes | $234 | $188 | 2 yrs |
| Pharmacist | 5,378 | Yes | $330 | $284 | 2 yrs |
| Pharmacy Technician | 1,000 | Yes | $100 | — | 2 yrs |
| Phlebotomist | 1,000 | Yes | $100 | — | 2 yrs |
| Physical Therapist | 3,919 | Yes | $328 | $282 | 2 yrs |
| Physician Assistant | 4,378 | Yes | $376 | $330 | 2 yrs |
| Radiologic Technologist | 2,443 | Yes | $234 | $188 | 2 yrs |
| Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist | — | Yes | $280 | $234 | 2 yrs |
| Registered Nurse | 2,919 | Yes | $236 | $165 | 2 yrs |
| Respiratory Therapist | 2,419 | Yes | $234 | $188 | 2 yrs |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | 3,919 | Yes | $328 | $236 | 2 yrs |
| Surgical Technologist | 1,000 | Yes | $100 | — | 2 yrs |
Legal & Security
| Profession | Edu. Hours | Exam | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Armed Security Guard | 74 | No | $232 | $139 | 2 yrs |
| Court Reporter / Stenographer | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs |
| Notary Public | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs |
| Private Investigator | 5,517 | Yes | $372 | $326 | 2 yrs |
| Process Server | 37 | No | $232 | $186 | 2 yrs |
Mental Health
| Profession | Edu. Hours | Exam | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) | 3,919 | Yes | $236 | $190 | 2 yrs |
| Licensed Professional Counselor | 3,419 | Yes | $235 | $189 | 2 yrs |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | 3,419 | Yes | $282 | $236 | 2 yrs |
| Psychologist | 6,838 | Yes | $468 | $376 | 2 yrs |
Miscellaneous
| Profession | Edu. Hours | Exam | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amusement Ride Operator | — | No | $50 | — | 2 yrs |
| Athletic Agent | — | No | $50 | — | 2 yrs |
| Auctioneer | 190 | Yes | $278 | $186 | 2 yrs |
| Casino/Gaming Dealer | — | No | $50 | — | 2 yrs |
| Sign Language Interpreter | — | No | $50 | — | 2 yrs |
Real Estate
| Profession | Edu. Hours | Exam | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Inspector | 187 | Yes | $372 | $280 | 2 yrs |
| Real Estate Agent / Salesperson | 169 | Yes | $278 | $228 | 2 yrs |
| Real Estate Broker | 253 | Yes | $372 | $303 | 2 yrs |
Transportation
| Profession | Edu. Hours | Exam | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chauffeur / Limousine Driver | 37 | Yes | $139 | $94 | 4 yrs |
| Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) | 307 | Yes | $185 | $94 | 4 yrs |
| School Bus Driver | 114 | Yes | $139 | $94 | 4 yrs |
| Taxi/Ride-Share Driver | — | Yes | $50 | — | 4 yrs |
| Tow Truck Operator | — | Yes | $50 | — | 4 yrs |
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice. Verify current requirements with Illinois licensing authorities.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
Data sourced from official state occupational-licensing board records and federal interstate compacts. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCredential Editorial
| Publisher | Kiznis Studio |
| Sources | Public state occupational-licensing board records and federal interstate compacts |