PocketLaw | Illinois Compiled Statutes | Cosmetology, Esthetics, Hair

Cosmetology, Esthetics, Hair Braiding, and Nail Technology Schools

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(225 ILCS 410/Art. IIIB heading)

ARTICLE IIIB. BARBER, COSMETOLOGY, ESTHETICS, HAIR BRAIDING, AND NAIL TECHNOLOGY SCHOOLS

(225 ILCS 410/3B-1) (from Ch. 111, par. 1703B-1)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026)

Sec. 3B-1. Application. The provisions of this Article are applicable only to barber, cosmetology, esthetics, hair braiding, and nail technology schools regulated under this Act.

(Source: P.A. 98-911, eff. 1-1-15.)

(225 ILCS 410/3B-2) (from Ch. 111, par. 1703B-2)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026)

Sec. 3B-2. Investigations by Department upon its own motion or upon complaint; opportunity for corrections. The Department may upon its own motion and shall upon the complaint in writing of any person setting forth facts which if proved would constitute grounds for refusal or revocation under this Act, investigate the actions of any applicant or any person or persons holding or claiming to hold a license.

Any student or employee of a school approved by this Act who believes he has been aggrieved by a violation of this Act shall have the right to file a written complaint within one year of the alleged violation. The Department shall acknowledge receipt of such written complaint, commence an investigation of the alleged violation, and forward to the Attorney General and any appropriate State's Attorney's office copies of complaints as required by Section 3B-3. The Department shall inform the chief operating officer of the school cited in the complaint of the nature or substance of the complaint and afford the school an opportunity to either resolve the complaint to the satisfaction of the complainant or submit a written response to the Department.

However, before proceeding to a hearing on the question of whether a license shall be refused or revoked, the Department may issue a letter granting the school in question 30 days to correct the deficiency or deficiencies. The letter shall enumerate the deficiencies and state the action on the part of the school that will remediate the deficiency or deficiencies. During the time designated to remedy deficiencies the Department may order the school to cease and desist from all marketing and student enrollment activities.

(Source: P.A. 99-427, eff. 8-21-15.)

(225 ILCS 410/3B-3) (from Ch. 111, par. 1703B-3)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026)

Sec. 3B-3. (a) The following acts or omissions by an owner, operator or authorized agent of a school shall constitute violations of this Act and unlawful practices pursuant to the "Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act", as now or hereafter amended:

1. False or misleading statements, misrepresentations or false promises which have the tendency or capacity to influence or induce persons to enroll in the course of instruction offered by such school.

2. Failure or refusal of the school to make the disclosures in the enrollment agreement required by this Act; or the making of false or inaccurate statements in such disclosures.

3. Failure or refusal of the school to refund fees and unearned tuition, in accordance with the refund policy prescribed by this Act, to any student who cancels his enrollment agreement.

4. Failure or refusal of the school to employ course instructors certified by the Department and to provide the equipment, facilities or services necessary to implement the course of instruction.

(b) Whenever the Attorney General or a state's attorney receives a complaint against a school which alleges one or more of the violations enumerated in subsection (a), he may conduct an investigation to determine the validity of such complaint and, if a violation or violations are found, may use any or all of the remedies, penalties or authority granted to him by the "Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act" to correct such violations and enforce the provisions of this Act. Within 10 business days of receipt, the Department shall transmit to the Attorney General and the appropriate state's attorney copies of complaints filed in its office which allege one or more of the violations enumerated in subsection (a).

(Source: P.A. 85-1382.)

(225 ILCS 410/3B-4) (from Ch. 111, par. 1703B-4)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026)

Sec. 3B-4. Except for the violations enumerated below, any owner, operator or authorized agent of a school who knowingly violates any provision of this Act shall be guilty of a business offense.

Any owner, operator or authorized agent of a school who commits any of the following offenses shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor for the first offense and a Class 4 felony for the second or subsequent offense:

1. Knowingly, and for the purpose of influencing or inducing a person to enroll in the course of instruction offered by the school, makes any false or misleading statements, misrepresentations or false promises to such person regarding opportunities upon graduation from the school for (a) employment in a business, industry or trade, (b) admission to an institution of higher learning, or (c) admission to an occupational licensing examination.

2. Knowingly, and with intent to defraud, retains in excess of the school's refund policy prescribed in this Act any unearned tuition or fees paid by a student who has cancelled his enrollment agreement and is entitled to a refund.

3. Knowingly, and with intent to defraud, misrepresents that any student who has cancelled his enrollment agreement is presently enrolled in the school, has completed the course of instruction or has graduated from the school.

4. Knowingly uses or attempts to use students in any commercial or manufacturing activity related to the operation of the school and to the school's advantage and profit; except to the extent that the school provides the student with practical experience supplemental to the course of instruction or except in the case of students who are employed by the school and compensated for such employment.

(Source: P.A. 85-1382.)

(225 ILCS 410/3B-5) (from Ch. 111, par. 1703B-5)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026)

Sec. 3B-5. Injunction. Upon application of the Department, the Attorney General or any State's Attorney, the Circuit Court of each county in which a violation of this Act or the Rules and Regulations has occurred, shall have jurisdiction to enjoin any violation thereto.

(Source: P.A. 85-1382.)

(225 ILCS 410/3B-6) (from Ch. 111, par. 1703B-6)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026)

Sec. 3B-6. Private right of action. Any person who suffers damages as a result of a violation described or enumerated in this Article committed by any school or its representative may bring an action against such school. The court in its discretion may award actual damages, treble actual damages if fraud is proved, injunctive relief, and any other relief which the court deems proper.

Such action may be commenced in the county in which the school is located, has its principal place of business, or in the county where the transaction or any substantial portion thereof occurred.

In any action brought by a person under this Section, the court may award, in addition to the relief provided in this Section, reasonable attorney's fees and costs to the prevailing party.

Either party to an action under this Section may request a trial by jury.

(Source: P.A. 85-1382; 86-1356.)

(225 ILCS 410/3B-10)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026)

Sec. 3B-10. Requisites for ownership or operation of school. No person, firm, or corporation may own, operate, or conduct a school of barbering, cosmetology, esthetics, hair braiding, or nail technology for the purpose of teaching barbering, cosmetology, esthetics, hair braiding, or nail technology for compensation unless licensed by the Department. A licensed school is a postsecondary educational institution authorized by the Department to provide a postsecondary education program in compliance with the requirements of this Act. An applicant shall apply to the Department on forms provided by the Department, pay the required fees, and comply with the following requirements:

1. The applicant must submit to the Department for approval:

a. A floor plan, drawn to a scale specified on the floor plan, showing every detail of the proposed school; and
b. A lease commitment or proof of ownership for the location of the proposed school; a lease commitment must provide for execution of the lease upon the Department's approval of the school's application and the lease must be for a period of at least one year.
c. (Blank).

2. An application to own or operate a school shall include the following:

a. If the owner is a corporation, a copy of the Articles of Incorporation or, if the owner is a limited liability company, a copy of the articles of organization;
b. If the owner is a partnership, a listing of all partners and their current addresses;
c. If the applicant is an owner, a completed financial statement showing the owner's ability to operate the school for at least 3 months;
d. A copy of the official enrollment agreement or student contract to be used by the school, which shall be consistent with the requirements of this Act and rules;
e. A listing of all teachers who will be in the school's employ, including their teacher license numbers;
f. A copy of the curricula that will be followed;
g. The names, addresses, and current status of all schools in which the applicant has previously owned any interest, and a declaration as to whether any of these schools were ever denied accreditation or licensing or lost accreditation or licensing from any governmental body or accrediting agency;
h. Each application for a certificate of approval shall be signed and certified under oath by the school's chief managing employee and also by its individual owner or owners; if the applicant is a partnership or a corporation, then the application shall be signed and certified under oath by the school's chief managing employee and also by each member of the partnership or each officer of the corporation, as the case may be;
i. A copy of the school's official transcript; and
j. The required fee.

3. Each application for a license to operate a school shall also contain the following commitments:

a. To conduct the school in accordance with this Act and the standards, and rules from time to time adopted under this Act and to meet standards and requirements at least as stringent as those required by Part H of the Federal Higher Education Act of 1965.
b. To permit the Department to inspect the school or classes thereof from time to time with or without notice; and to make available to the Department, at any time when required to do so, information including financial information pertaining to the activities of the school required for the administration of this Act and the standards and rules adopted under this Act;
c. To utilize only advertising and solicitation which is free from misrepresentation, deception, fraud, or other misleading or unfair trade practices;
d. To screen applicants to the school prior to enrollment pursuant to the requirements of the school's regional or national accrediting agency, if any, and to maintain any and all records of such screening. If the course of instruction is offered in a language other than English, the screening shall also be performed in that language;
e. To post in a conspicuous place a statement, developed by the Department, of student's rights provided under this Act.

4. The applicant shall establish to the satisfaction of the Department that the owner possesses sufficient liquid assets to meet the prospective expenses of the school for a period of 3 months. In the discretion of the Department, additional proof of financial ability may be required.
5. The applicant shall comply with all rules of the Department determining the necessary curriculum and equipment required for the conduct of the school.
6. The applicant must demonstrate employment of a sufficient number of qualified teachers who are holders of a current license issued by the Department.
7. A final inspection of the barber, cosmetology, esthetics, hair braiding, or nail technology school shall be made by the Department before the school may commence classes.
8. A written inspection report must be made by the State Fire Marshal or a local fire authority approving the use of the proposed premises as a barber, cosmetology, esthetics, hair braiding, or nail technology school. (Source: P.A. 98-238, eff. 1-1-14; 98-911, eff. 1-1-15; 99-427, eff. 8-21-15.)

(225 ILCS 410/3B-11)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026)

Sec. 3B-11. Periodic review of barber, cosmetology, esthetics, hair braiding, and nail technology schools. All approved schools and courses of instruction are subject to review by the Department. The review shall include consideration of a comparison between the graduation or completion rate for the school and the graduation or completion rate for the schools within that classification of schools. Consideration shall be given to complaints and information forwarded to the Department by the Federal Trade Commission, Better Business Bureaus, the Illinois Attorney General's Office, a State's Attorney's Office, other State or official approval agencies, local school officials, and interested persons. The Department shall investigate all complaints filed with the Department about a school or its sales representatives.

A school shall retain the records, as defined by rule, of a student who withdraws from or drops out of the school, by written notice of cancellation or otherwise, for any period longer than 7 years from the student's first day of attendance. However, a school shall retain indefinitely the transcript of each student who completes the program and graduates from the school.

(Source: P.A. 98-911, eff. 1-1-15; 99-427, eff. 8-21-15.)

(225 ILCS 410/3B-12)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026)

Sec. 3B-12. Enrollment agreements.

(a) Enrollment agreements shall be used by barber, cosmetology, esthetics, hair braiding, and nail technology schools licensed to operate by the Department and shall include the following written disclosures:

(1) The name and address of the school and the addresses where instruction will be given;
(2) The name and description of the course of instruction, including the number of clock hours in each course and an approximate number of weeks or months required for completion;
(3) The scheduled starting date and calculated completion date;
(4) The total cost of the course of instruction including any charges made by the school for tuition, books, materials, supplies, and other expenses;
(5) A clear and conspicuous statement that the contract is a legally binding instrument when signed by the student and accepted by the school;
(6) A clear and conspicuous caption, "BUYER'S RIGHT TO CANCEL" under which it is explained that the student has the right to cancel the initial enrollment agreement until midnight of the fifth business day after the student has been enrolled; and if notice of the right to cancel is not given to any prospective student at the time the enrollment agreement is signed, then the student has the right to cancel the agreement at any time and receive a refund of all monies paid to date within 10 days of cancellation;
(7) A notice to the students that the cancellation must be in writing and given to the registered agent, if any, or managing employee of the school;
(8) The school's refund policy for unearned tuition, fees, and other charges;
(9) The date of the student's signature and the date of the student's admission;
(10) The name of the school employee or agent responsible for procuring, soliciting, or enrolling the student;
(11) A clear statement that the institution does not guarantee employment and a statement describing the school's placement assistance procedures;
(12) The graduation requirements of the school;
(13) The contents of the following notice, in at least 10 point bold type: "NOTICE TO THE STUDENT"

"Do not sign this contract before you read it or if it contains any blank space. You are entitled to an exact copy of the contract you sign."

(14) A statement either in the enrollment agreement or separately provided and acknowledged by the student indicating the number of students who did not complete the course of instruction for which they enrolled for the past calendar year as compared to the number of students who enrolled in school during the school's past calendar year;
(15) The following clear and conspicuous caption: "COMPLAINTS AGAINST THIS SCHOOL MAY BE REGISTERED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATION", set forth with the address and telephone number of the Department's Complaint Intake Unit.

(b) If the enrollment is negotiated orally in a language other than English, then copies of the above disclosures shall be tendered in the language in which the contract was negotiated prior to executing the enrollment agreement.

(c) The school shall comply with all applicable requirements of the Retail Installment Sales Act in its enrollment agreement or student contracts.

(d) No enrollment agreement or student contract shall contain a wage assignment provision or a confession of judgment clause.

(e) Any provision in an enrollment agreement or student contract that purports to waive the student's right to assert against the school, or any assignee, any claim or defense he or she may have against the school arising under the contract shall be void.

(f) Two copies of the enrollment agreement shall be signed by the student. One copy shall be given to the student and the school shall retain the other copy as part of the student's permanent record.

(Source: P.A. 98-911, eff. 1-1-15; 99-427, eff. 8-21-15.)

(225 ILCS 410/3B-13)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026)

Sec. 3B-13. Rules; refunds. Schools regulated under this Section shall issue refunds based on the following schedule. The refund policy shall provide that:

(1) Schools shall, when a student gives written notice of cancellation, provide a refund in the amount of at least the following:

(a) When notice of cancellation is given within 5 days after the date of enrollment, all application and registration fees, tuition, and any other charges shall be refunded to the student.
(b) When notice of cancellation is given after the fifth day following enrollment but before the completion of the student's first day of class attendance, the school may retain no more than the application and registration fee, plus the cost of any books or materials which have been provided by the school and retained by the student.
(c) When notice of cancellation is given after the student's completion of the first day of class attendance but prior to the student's completion of 5% of the course of instruction, the school may retain the application and registration fee and an amount not to exceed 10% of the tuition and other instructional charges or $300, whichever is less, plus the cost of any books or materials which have been provided by the school.
(d) When a student has completed 5% or more of the course of instruction, the school may retain the application and registration fee and the cost of any books or materials which have been provided by the school but shall refund a part of the tuition and other instructional charges in accordance with the requirements of the school's regional or national accrediting agency, if any, or rules that the Department shall promulgate for purposes of this Section.

(2) Applicants not accepted by the school shall receive a refund of all tuition and fees paid.
(3) Application and registration fees shall be chargeable at initial enrollment and shall not exceed $100. All fees must be disclosed in the student contract.
(4) Deposits or down payments shall become part of the tuition.
(5) The school shall mail a written acknowledgement of a student's cancellation or written withdrawal to the student within 15 calendar days of the date of notification. Written acknowledgement is not necessary if a refund has been mailed to the student within the 15 calendar days.
(6) If the school cancels or discontinues a course, the student shall be entitled to receive from the school such refund or partial refund of the tuition, fees, and other charges paid by the student or on behalf of the student as is provided under rules promulgated by the Department.
(7) Except as otherwise provided by this Act, all student refunds shall be made by the school within 45 calendar days after the date of notice of the student's cancellation or the date that the school determines that the student has officially or unofficially withdrawn.
(8) A student shall give notice of cancellation to the school in writing. The unexplained absence of a student from a school for more than 30 consecutive calendar days shall constitute constructive notice of cancellation to the school. For purposes of cancellation, the cancellation date shall be the last day of attendance.
(9) A school may make refunds which exceed those required by this Section.
(10) Each student and former student shall be entitled to receive from the school that the student attends or attended an official transcript of all hours completed by the student at that school for which the applicable tuition, fees, and other charges have been paid, together with the grades earned by the student for those hours, provided that a student who withdraws from or drops out of a school, by written notice of cancellation or otherwise, shall not be entitled to any transcript of completed hours following the expiration of the 7-year period that began on the student's first day of attendance at the school. A reasonable fee, not exceeding $2, may be charged by the school for each transcript after the first free transcript that the school is required to provide to a student or former student under this Section.

(Source: P.A. 99-427, eff. 8-21-15.)

(225 ILCS 410/3B-14)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026)

Sec. 3B-14. Notice of accreditation problems. A school shall provide the Department with a copy of any notice of warning or suspension or revocation received from any accrediting agency within 15 days of receipt of the notice. The school shall also notify the Department of any loss or withdrawal of accreditation. The school shall at the same time inform the Department in writing on actions being taken to correct deficiencies cited.

(Source: P.A. 89-387, eff. 1-1-96.)

(225 ILCS 410/3B-15)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026)

Sec. 3B-15. Grounds for disciplinary action. In addition to any other cause herein set forth the Department may refuse to issue or renew and may suspend, place on probation, or revoke any license to operate a school, or take any other disciplinary or non-disciplinary action that the Department may deem proper, including the imposition of fines not to exceed $5,000 for each violation, for any one or any combination of the following causes:

(1) Repeated violation of any provision of this Act or any standard or rule established under this Act.
(2) Knowingly furnishing false, misleading, or incomplete information to the Department or failure to furnish information requested by the Department.
(3) Violation of any commitment made in an application for a license, including failure to maintain standards that are the same as, or substantially equivalent to, those represented in the school's applications and advertising.
(4) Presenting to prospective students information relating to the school, or to employment opportunities or opportunities for enrollment in institutions of higher learning after entering into or completing courses offered by the school, that is false, misleading, or fraudulent.
(5) Failure to provide premises or equipment or to maintain them in a safe and sanitary condition as required by law.
(6) Failure to maintain financial resources adequate for the satisfactory conduct of the courses of instruction offered or to retain a sufficient and qualified instructional and administrative staff.
(7) Refusal to admit applicants on account of race, color, creed, sex, physical or mental disability unrelated to ability, religion, or national origin.
(8) Paying a commission or valuable consideration to any person for acts or services performed in violation of this Act.
(9) Attempting to confer a fraudulent degree, diploma, or certificate upon a student.
(10) Failure to correct any deficiency or act of noncompliance under this Act or the standards and rules established under this Act within reasonable time limits set by the Department.
(11) Conduct of business or instructional services other than at locations approved by the Department.
(12) Failure to make all of the disclosures or making inaccurate disclosures to the Department or in the enrollment agreement as required under this Act.
(13) Failure to make appropriate refunds as required by this Act.
(14) Denial, loss, or withdrawal of accreditation by any accrediting agency.
(15) During any calendar year, having a failure rate of 25% or greater for those of its students who for the first time take the examination authorized by the Department to determine fitness to receive a license as a barber, barber teacher, cosmetologist, cosmetology teacher, esthetician, esthetician teacher, hair braider, hair braiding teacher, nail technician, or nail technology teacher, provided that a student who transfers into the school having completed 50% or more of the required program and who takes the examination during that calendar year shall not be counted for purposes of determining the school's failure rate on an examination, without regard to whether that transfer student passes or fails the examination.
(16) Failure to maintain a written record indicating the funds received per student and funds paid out per student. Such records shall be maintained for a minimum of 7 years and shall be made available to the Department upon request. Such records shall identify the funding source and amount for any student who has enrolled as well as any other item set forth by rule.
(17) Failure to maintain a copy of the student record as defined by rule.

(Source: P.A. 98-911, eff. 1-1-15; 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)

(225 ILCS 410/3B-16)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026)

Sec. 3B-16. Department of Corrections. The Secretary may waive any requirement of this Act or of the rules enacted by the Department pursuant to this Act pertaining to the operation of a barber, cosmetology, esthetics, hair braiding, or nail technology school owned or operated by the Department of Corrections and located in a correctional facility to educate inmates that is inconsistent with the mission or operations of the Department of Corrections or is detrimental to the safety and security of any correctional facility. Nothing in this Section 3B-16 exempts the Department of Corrections from the necessity of licensure.

(Source: P.A. 98-911, eff. 1-1-15.)

(225 ILCS 410/3B-17)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026)

Sec. 3B-17. Sale of school. Any school licensed under this Act that is subsequently sold to another party shall notify the Department in writing of the sale at least 30 days in advance of the effective date of the transfer of ownership. Upon filing of this notice with the Department, the new owner may continue to operate the school under the previously issued license provided that the new owner submits an application for licensure to the Department in accordance with the requirements of this Act within 30 days after the effective date of the transfer of ownership. The new owner may continue to operate the school under the previous license after submitting such application until the Department issues a new license or denies issuance of a license, whichever occurs first. The Department shall provide for administration of this Section by rule.

(Source: P.A. 99-427, eff. 8-21-15.)

(225 ILCS 410/3B-18)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026)

Sec. 3B-18. Internship. A school may offer an internship program as part of its curriculum subject to the rules of the Department.

(Source: P.A. 99-427, eff. 8-21-15.)

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