Illinois makes it tough for poor to become barbers, makeup artists, manicurists

Personal care services such as cutting hair can be one of the more welcoming professions for those stuck in poverty. But Illinois imposes a heavy burden before they can get to work.

One of the worst things about being unemployed and living in poverty is the sense of powerlessness it can bring, but selling goods or services that do not require a costly education or significant up-front costs can be a path to prosperity.

When it comes to setting off on your own without going into student loan debt, becoming a barber, a hairstylist, manicurist or other personal care professional might be some of the first professions that come to mind, especially because you can learn the skills on your own, or from a friend or family member. Licenses in these fields have become a path to gainful employment and away from poverty.

The median salary for manicurists and pedicurists is over $31,000 per year and over $33,000 for hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists, according the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The median salary for a barber is just under $35,000 per year. Any of these salaries alone is capable of lifting a family of four above the federal poverty line.

A barber’s, hairstylist’s, or manicurist’s license can be a ticket off the streets and towards prosperity, but the state puts barriers along that path.

According to a report by the Institute for Justice, barbers, cosmetologists and makeup artists are some of the professions most heavily burdened by occupational licensing in Illinois. Out of the 102 low-income professions the Institute of Justice surveyed, Illinois requires licenses for 41 of them. And out of the 41 professions that Illinois licenses, barber ranks ninth, cosmetologist 10th and manicurist 17th in terms of the burden of getting a license.

To become a barber in Illinois, a candidate must first have a 12th-grade education, pay $156, pass an exam, and is estimated to lose 350 calendar days in education and experience requirements. It is easier to get a barber’s license in 34 other states.

To be a cosmetologist in Illinois, a candidate must pay a $230 fee, pass an exam and is estimated to lose 350 calendar days in education and experience requirements.

Meanwhile, a manicurist must pay $215, pass an exam, and is estimated to lose 82 calendar days in education and experience requirements. It is easier to get a manicurist license in 22 other states than it is to get one in Illinois.

And while quality control is one of the rationales for licensing these professions, innovations such as online review sites make it easier for consumers to make informed decisions. A barber that gives a bad haircut will also get bad reviews and will quickly go out of business.

These requirements pose just another burden to those trying to find employment and a way out of poverty. The state should work to reduce or even eliminate these burdens and allow residents to forge their own paths to prosperity.