Illinois
Real Estate License
The Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation’s (IDFPR) Division of Real Estate issues real estate broker licenses to individuals meeting the criteria below. There is no “salesperson” or “agent” license in Illinois. Those who wish to conduct the business of buying and selling real estate must complete the steps listed on this guide.
Questions about this information or obtaining a Residential Leasing Agent or Managing Broker license should be sent to Education@IllinoisRealtors.org.
Minimum Requirements
Minimum Age: 18
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Complete 75 required hours of Broker Pre-License coursework
Those seeking a first-time real estate license in Illinois must take the 75 hours of mandatory coursework to sit for the broker licensing exam. Our coursework can be purchased in a 75-hour package or individually and can be completed online and/or in a classroom. After completion of the coursework, and passing the exam, the license is issued by IDFPR.
Required Illinois Broker Pre-License education includes: 60-hour Broker Pre-License Topics and 15-hour Broker Pre-License Applied Real Estate Principles. Products listed as “75-hour” include both required courses.
Illinois REALTORS® online courses offer you the flexibility of self-guided, online education. Students use their individual log in information to access the 60-hour Topics & 15-hour Interactive courses. Our D2L platform offers a choice of text/eBook and scheduled 15-hour webinars with an instructor while the Leap Learning platform is 100% self-paced learning with no scheduled times, dates, or text/eBook for either course.
For Discounted Rate Online Courses (up to 50% Off) Click Here
Illinois REALTORS® has more than 20 pre-license branches in Illinois offering LIVE instruction in both in-person and virtual classrooms. Use the “Details” and registration information on each of our calendar posts to enroll in a class at one of our licensed branches. There are several options for 75 hours of live instruction and hybrid classes that include live instruction as well as assigned, online coursework.
There are several scholarships available for real estate financial assistance. Veterans using GI Bill® benefits may take LIVE classes through any Illinois REALTORS® branch. For more information on these programs, click here.
Step 2: Pass State & National Licensing Exam (administered by PSI)
Within two years of completing your pre-license education, register for and take the real estate licensing exam with PSI (the license exam administrator). It is recommended that you thoroughly review the Illinois Real Estate Examination Program Candidate Handbook before registering. Click here for instructions to register for your PSI Student ID.
State portion: 40 multiple-choice questions
You can prepare for the state exam using simulated exam and study tools provided by our learning partners: Exam Prep Edge and ExamSMART.
Step 3: Complete IDFPR online application process
Register: IDFPR’s online portal at online-dfpr.micropact.com/
Step 4: IDFPR confirms information and issues license
If you have any questions in regards to the issuance of your license, please contact IDFPR at (800) 560-6420 or by email at fpr.realestate@illinois.gov.
Step 4: Obtain Managing Broker sponsorship (Join a Brokerage)
Illinois brokers work under the sponsorship and supervision of a managing broker, so you will need to ask a managing broker to sponsor your license before you submit your application.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: How much will it cost me to get my Real Estate License?
Illinois REALTORS® provides cost-effective paths to get an Illinois real estate broker license. Your individual costs will depend upon which courses you choose whether you select add-on products such as exam preparation tools, and how many exam fees you must pay.
Example:
** Be prepared for additional start-up costs and the ongoing expenses of doing business such as membership fees, ad costs, license renewal fees, and other operating expenses.
Q: How long does it take to get a real estate license?
You can apply for a real estate license after completing your pre-license education and passing the state and national licensing exam. Education options range from 2-week accelerated classes to 6 months online, self-guided learning.
Pre-License courses expire 180 days from the date of purchase.
If you do not pass the state exam after completing your courses, you may retake the exam three times. If you do not pass the exam on the fourth attempt, you must retake the pre-license coursework before registering again for the ex_am.
Q: What happens if I don't pass the exam?
If you do not pass the licensing exam after completing your courses, you may retake the exam up to three times (on different days). If you do not pass the exam on the fourth attempt, you must retake the pre-license coursework before registering again for the exam.
Email education@illinoisrealtors.org for more information on retaking the education.
Iowa Reciprocal States
Reciprocal states for licensing refers to agreements between states allowing a licensed real estate professional in one state to obtain a license in another state without retaking the full pre-licensing education or exam.
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