Here’s a practical, step-by-step guide to choosing a barber school in Illinois near you, plus a checklist of what to look for and questions to ask so you can pick the best program for your needs.

1. Know the licensing/regulatory starting point

• Check the Illinois barber licensing authority (Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, IDFPR) for current requirements (training hours, exam content, application process). Requirements can change, so confirm before you commit.
• Decide if you want a barber license (straight barbering) or cosmetology-style training — programs and hours may differ.

2. Narrow the area and program type

• Decide how far you’re willing to commute and whether you want full-time, part-time, evening, or weekend classes.
• Consider program length you prefer (months vs. longer), and whether you want an apprenticeship option versus school-based training.

3. Check accreditation and state approval

• Confirm the school is licensed/approved by the Illinois licensing board or state education authority. State approval means the curriculum is intended to meet licensing requirements.
• If the school is accredited by a recognized accreditor, that’s a plus for transferability and financial aid access.

4. Compare curriculum and clinical hours

• Look for programs that teach the full set of barber skills: cutting men’s hair, fades, straight-razor shaving, beard design, sanitation, scalp treatments, basic chemical services if offered, and business/retail skills.
• Ensure the program provides the number of supervised hands-on/clinic hours required by IDFPR (or more). Hands-on practice on real clients is essential.

5. Instructor qualifications and class size

• Ask about instructor licenses, years of experience, and their teaching credentials.
• Smaller class sizes mean more hands-on time and personalized instruction. Ask student-to-instructor ratio for practical sessions.

6. Facilities, tools, and student clinic

• Visit the school to inspect stations, tools, sanitation practices, and whether students work in a public student clinic (real client experience).
• Check if students are trained on current industry tools and technologies.

7. Job placement and externships

• Ask for job placement or placement assistance statistics: Do they have relationships with local barbershops or salons? Do they host interviews or externships?
• Follow-up request: ask to speak to recent graduates or see employment outcomes.

8. Licensing exam preparation and pass rates

• Ask whether the school provides formal prep for the Illinois barber exam (written and practical) and what their exam pass rates are.
• Higher pass rates and structured exam prep are good indicators of program quality.

9. Cost, financial aid, and refund policies

• Get a clear itemized list of tuition, fees, kit/tool costs, books, uniforms, and any extra charges.
• Ask about available financial aid, payment plans, veteran benefits, and scholarship opportunities.
• Understand the school’s refund and withdrawal policy in writing.

10. Schedule flexibility and continuing education

• Check options for make-up hours, repeat practicals, and whether the school supports continuing education or advanced classes (e.g., advanced fades, business courses).

11. Reputation and reviews

• Read online reviews (Google, Facebook) and check complaints with the Better Business Bureau or the state licensing board.
• Talk to local barbershops — they often know which schools produce well-trained grads.

12. Red flags to avoid

• Schools that guarantee jobs (no legitimate program can guarantee employment).
• Extremely low tuition paired with poor facilities or lack of clinical hours.
• Reluctance to provide documentation on licensing approval, pass rates, or a clear contract.
• No opportunities for hands-on practice on real clients.

13. Visit and evaluate in person (or virtually) When you visit, bring a list of questions (see suggested list below). Observe a class if possible and watch sanitation practices, instructor-student interactions, and how the student clinic is run.

Suggested questions to ask on a visit

• Are you state-approved/licensed? Can I see documentation?
• How many total clock hours does the program include? How many are hands-on?
• What are your current barber exam pass rates for the last 1–2 years?
• What is the student-to-instructor ratio for practical training?
• Do you provide a student kit? What’s included and what’s the cost?
• What job placement or externship opportunities do you provide?
• What is your tuition, fees, payment plans, and refund policy?
• Can I speak with recent graduates or observe the student clinic?

14. Make your decision based on fit

• Prioritize: state approval and adequate hands-on hours, strong instructors, and good exam pass rates.
• Balance cost with quality — the cheapest program isn’t always best; the most expensive isn’t always necessary if the school meets the above criteria.

If you’d like, I can:

• Look up currently approved barber schools near you in Illinois and pull contact info and program details (I’ll need your city or ZIP code), or
• Pull the current Illinois barber licensing requirements from IDFPR.

Which would you prefer?