Kane County Reporter

State Representative Dan Ugaste highlighted the introduction of a new online licensing system by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). He said that the system is now accessible for "clinical psychologists, nail technicians, and music therapists."

"The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation launched its new online licensing system yesterday for the first set of IDFPR-licensed professionals (clinical psychologists, nail technicians, and music therapists," said Ugaste, according to Facebook.

According to a report by WCIA, the simplified professional licensing system, known as the Comprehensive Online Regulatory Environment (CORE), will be available to those requiring professional licensure in Illinois. The initial phase allows new applications from clinical psychologists, nail technicians, and music therapists to test the system's functionality. The remaining professions currently using manual or paper processes for licensing will be integrated in the second phase, with healthcare professionals being prioritized.

Screenshot of State Rep. Dan Ugaste's Oct. 31 Facebook post | State Representative Dan Ugaste's Facebook page

To develop CORE, IDFPR collaborated with Tyler Technologies. WCIA reports that CORE aims to streamline processes for both licensees and IDFPR itself. Enforcement actions are also expected to transition to this new system.

"Everyone wanting to earn a living in Illinois in the 21st century should have tools of the times available so they can be licensed and get to work as soon as possible," said Mario Treto Jr., IDFPR Secretary, in an October 30 news release from IDFPR. Treto added that combined with efforts to streamline current processes, CORE demonstrates their commitment to fulfilling this mission for Illinois' betterment. He expressed anticipation for fully transitioning services to this new system over the next two years.

IDFPR plans to announce the completion of each implementation phase—six in total—which includes full regulatory transitions for various divisions such as DPR (Division of Professional Regulation), Division of Real Estate, Division of Banking, and Division of Financial Institutions.

Ugaste has represented Illinois' 65th House District since 2018. A former attorney and shareholder at Nyhan, Bambrick, Kinzie & Lowry, he specialized in workers' compensation defense and related litigation. Ugaste has served as President of the Lake Forest College Alumni Board and held leadership roles in several bar associations and committees. He graduated from Lake Forest High School and Lake Forest College and holds a Juris Doctorate degree from DePaul University.