Short answer — here’s what you can expect if you enroll in a barbering course in Illinois (what you’ll be taught, how long it takes, practical requirements, and the licensing/exam rules).

Key facts (requirements)

• Minimum program length: 1,500 clock hours (or a 50‑credit hour equivalency). Programs are a mix of classroom theory and hands‑on/practical experience. (law.cornell.edu)
• You may be allowed to sit for the state barber exam earlier: Illinois law allows applicants who have completed 1,200 hours to take the examination. (If you don’t pass multiple times there are additional remedial-hour rules.) (ilga.gov)
• Online/theory hours: schools may provide some theory online, but online hours are limited (administrative rules limit online hours to a small percentage — e.g., 10% for many portions). Internship or externship credit is allowed but limited (internship credit limited to a set number of hours and has supervision rules). (law.cornell.edu)

Typical curriculum / topics you’ll cover

• Basic sciences and safety: bacteriology, infection control, sanitation, anatomy/physiology, skin/hair/scalp disorders and their treatment. (law.cornell.edu)
• Tools and techniques: use and care of implements, clipper/scissor cutting, tapering/fading, razor and straight‑razor shaving, facial and scalp massage. (law.cornell.edu)
• Chemical/advanced services: basic chemical services, hair treatments, temporary hairpieces (many schools include color/chemical basics). (SSC.edu)
• Business and shop skills: salon/shop operations, recordkeeping, inventory, client consultation, professional ethics and state law. (ilga.gov)
• Practical clinic time: hands‑on cutting, shaving and client services in a student clinic under instructor supervision (schools often run public student clinics so you log practical hours). (law.cornell.edu)

Practical / program structure you should expect

• Lots of supervised hands‑on work: the majority of the 1,500 hours are practical lab/clinic work.
• Internship/externship option: some programs let you do a supervised internship in a registered shop after meeting minimum school hour/grade requirements — limited to set hours and the student cannot be paid while receiving school credit. (law.cornell.edu)
• Teacher training (if you want to become a barber instructor) has its own curriculum and hour requirements (e.g., 1,000 hours or 500 hours for some post‑grad teachers). (ilga.gov)

Licensing & exam basics

• State licensing is issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). Schools prepare you to apply for and sit the state exam. (idfpr.illinois.gov)
• Passing score: administrative rules set a passing grade (typically 75). Exam administration and retake/remediation rules are specified in the barber rules (including extra training required after multiple failed attempts). (ilrules.elaws.us)

What to expect practically (time, costs, outcomes)

• Length/timeline: 1,500 hours typically takes many months — full‑time programs commonly run 8 months to 18 months depending on schedule. (Illinois rules also reference minimum timeframes for some pathways.) (law.cornell.edu)
• Costs: tuition and fees vary by school (community college vs. private barber college). Expect tuition, kit/supplies, books, state exam and application fees, and possibly uniform/clinic fees.
• Outcome: when you complete the program and pass the state exam you receive an Illinois barber license and can work in shops, start your own chair, or pursue teacher credentials or advanced specialties.

Practical tips before you enroll

• Confirm the school is licensed/approved by IDFPR and meets the 1,500‑hour curriculum. IDFPR publishes licensed schools and requirements. (idfpr.illinois.gov)
• Ask the school for a sample curriculum/syllabus, clinic schedule, student‑to‑instructor ratios, graduate pass rate on the state exam, average time to completion, and refund/enrollment agreement terms.
• Budget for supplies and factor in commuting/clinic hours; build a portfolio (before/after photos) as you practice.
• If you already hold barber experience or a license from another state, check IDFPR endorsement/credit rules — some work/licensure in other states can count for hours/credit. (law.cornell.edu)

Sources (for rules and program requirements)

• Illinois Administrative Code, Part 1175 — Curriculum requirements and internship rules for barber schools. (law.cornell.edu)
• Illinois Administrative Code — Examination and retake/remediation requirements (passing grade, refresher hours, etc.). (ilrules.elaws.us)
• IDFPR — Barber licensing overview and resources (applications, school approval, licensing portal). (idfpr.illinois.gov)

If you want, I can:

• look up approved barber schools near your city in Illinois, or
• pull a sample school syllabus or estimated tuition ranges for community colleges vs private barber colleges in Illinois.

Which would you like next?