The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) has expanded its online licensing system, CORE (Comprehensive Online Regulatory Environment), to include 24 additional professions. This expansion marks the completion of Phase 2.3, with the final part of Phase 2 expected this summer. The department will announce the completion of Phase 2 and the addition of more professions to CORE.
Phase 2 aims to transition license types from paper applications to the online system, reducing processing times. Individuals seeking licensure in newly added professions should use CORE for their applications. The new license types available on CORE include:
– Barber School
– Interior Designer
– Canine Instructor
– Landscape Architect
– Cemetery Authority
– Nail Technician School
– Cemetery Exempt
– Nonresident Mail-Order Ophthalmic Provider
– Cemetery Partially Exempt
– Nurse Continuing Education Sponsor
– Continuing Medical Education Sponsor
– Occupational Therapy Continuing Education Sponsor
– Cosmetology School
– Orthotist
– Cosmetology School (Public)
– Pedorthist
– Electrologist
– Physical Therapy Continuing Education Sponsor
– Environmental Health Practitioner Continuing Education Sponsor
– Podiatry Continuing Education Sponsor
– Esthetician School
– Prosthetist
– Hair Braiding School
– Public Accountant Continuing Education Sponsor
Currently, 70 initial professional license applications are available on CORE. Future phases will add all application methods and additional license types.
Phase 1 included three pilot professions: clinical psychologists, nail technicians, and music therapists, completed on October 30, 2024. Phase 1.1 added four more license types by January 21, 2025.
Phase 2 focuses on adding remaining Division of Professional Regulation (DPR) professions that still use manual or paper processes, prioritizing healthcare professions. Sub-phases have been completed as follows:
Phase 2.1 – June 10, 2025
Phase 2.2 – June 26, 2025
Phase 2.3 – July 15, 2025
Future phases will involve full regulatory transitions for DPR and other divisions such as Real Estate, Banking, and Financial Institutions.
Full implementation of CORE is planned for August 2026. IDFPR will provide updates on significant developments throughout this process.
For more information: https://idfpr.illinois.gov/
