Prairie State Wire

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) has expanded its new online licensing system, CORE (Comprehensive Online Regulatory Environment), to include 21 additional professions. This expansion is part of the successful completion of Phase 2.1 of CORE, with further phases expected to roll out in the coming weeks.

IDFPR Secretary Mario Treto, Jr. stated, “The expansion of CORE means increased accessibility for applicants, ensuring more qualified professionals can obtain their licenses in a timely and efficient manner.” He added that this step brings them closer to making CORE available for all license types, benefiting both consumers and professionals across Illinois.

Phase 2 targets professions currently limited to paper applications, aiming to streamline the process by integrating these into the digital platform. Among the newly added professions are acupuncturists, private security contractors, athletic trainers, respiratory care practitioners, audiologists, speech-language pathologists and assistants, dietitian nutritionists, funeral directors and embalmers, massage therapy CE sponsors, naprapaths, private alarm contractors and detectives.

As it stands now, 28 initial professional license applications are accessible through CORE. The subsequent phases will incorporate all application methods—renewals, reinstatements—and additional license types.

CORE's implementation is structured as follows:

- **Phase 1**: Three pilot professions were integrated on October 30, 2024.

- **Phase 1.1**: Four more license types were added by January 21, 2025.

- **Phase 2**: Focuses on healthcare professions with manual or paper processes.

- **Phase 3**: Full regulatory transition for Division of Professional Regulation (DPR).

- **Phase 4**: Transition for the Division of Real Estate.

- **Phase 5**: Transition for the Division of Banking.

- **Phase 6**: Transition for the Division of Financial Institutions.

Full implementation is anticipated by August 2026. IDFPR will provide ongoing updates about significant developments during CORE's rollout along with enhancements to existing licensing procedures.

For more details visit IDFPR's website at https://idfpr.illinois.gov/.