Prairie State Wire

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) has announced the completion of Phase 2 in the rollout of its new online licensing system, known as CORE (Comprehensive Online Regulatory Environment). With this milestone, 25 additional license types are now available for application through the digital platform. This brings the total number of license types accessible on CORE to 95.

The newly added licenses include a range of continuing education sponsors across various professions, such as athletic trainers, optometrists, barbers, cosmetologists, dental hygienists, dietitians/nutrition counselors, professional counselors, psychologists, respiratory care practitioners, social workers, marriage and family therapists, naprapaths, nursing home administrators; as well as specific roles like canine handler training course providers, prescribing psychologist clinical rotations programs, environmental health practitioners, sex offender treatment evaluators and providers (including associate level), geologists, hair braiders and teachers, surgical assistants and technologists, temporary genetic counselors among others.

"Today, we celebrate the completion of CORE’s Phase 2, and we remain dedicated to building a more efficient and accessible regulatory environment for professionals seeking to work in Illinois,” said IDFPR Secretary Mario Treto, Jr. “By embracing technology, we are empowering our workforce, enhancing public safety, and ensuring everyone can thrive in Illinois.”

Phase 2 focused on transitioning license types that previously required paper applications—often resulting in longer processing times—to the online system. The department encourages individuals applying for their first professional license in any of these categories to use the new system.

CORE's implementation is being carried out in multiple phases. Earlier stages included pilot testing with clinical psychologists, nail technicians and music therapists beginning October 30th 2024; four more license types were added by January 21st 2025. Several sub-phases under Phase 2 concluded between June and July 2025.

Future phases will continue until August 2026. These will expand online services to include all remaining license types as well as renewals and other application methods. The transition will also eventually cover regulatory processes for divisions overseeing real estate transactions (Phase 4), banking (Phase 5), and financial institutions (Phase 6).

For further information about IDFPR’s licensing process or updates regarding future phases of CORE implementation visit https://idfpr.illinois.gov/.