Who needs a salon or shop registration in Illinois?

Issued by Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, at step 4 of 6 in the opening sequence: get the permits for your kind of business.

3 of the 20 kinds of business in Illinois

Required before the shop opens, one per location, for cosmetology, esthetics, hair braiding and nail salons and barber shops. Mobile salons register too.

Checked Oct 17, 2026 against the agency’s page.

Step 4 of 6: Get the permits for your kind of business

  1. Set up the business
  2. Register for tax
  3. Approve the space
  4. Get the permits for your kind of business
  5. Alcohol permits
  6. Before the first hire

Issued by Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

Sources and dates

IDFPR salon and shop registration instruction sheet and qualifications for licensure (April 2025). Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.

Questions about opening here.