IDFPR intends to issue guidance in the next few weeks to new broker licensees doing their first renewal relating to education they will need in order to renew their initial license on or before April 30, 2020, Illinois REALTORS® has learned.

The guidance, which stems from recent revisions to the state’s Real Estate License Act, is expected to show that each broker licensee who is approaching their license renewal, will fall into one of three categories:

  • Group 1:  If a licensee has completed their 90-hour pre-license education and obtained a broker’s license prior to Aug. 9, 2019 (the effective date of the amended License Act) the licensee will need to complete the existing 30-hour post-license course on or before April 30, 2020 in order to renew their license.
  • Group 2:   If a licensee has completed their 90-hour pre-license education prior to Aug. 9, 2019, and was issued a broker license between Aug. 9, 2019 and Nov. 1, 2019, the new licensee will be expected to complete the new 45-hour post-license course by April 30, 2020.IDFPR anticipates that a new 45-hour course consisting of three, 15-hour modules, will be available for licensees before the April 30, 2020 deadline.However, IDFPR has recognized that it’s possible it won’t be possible to meet this deadline, and as a result the department may exercise its discretion and allow new licensees extra time (until Nov. 1, 2020) to complete the required 45-hour curriculum, if necessary.The possibility of extra time to complete the post-license course work is not guaranteed.If there is a 45-hour post-license curriculum available on time, new licensees will be expected to complete this education on or before April 30, 2020.  As a result, it is very important to stay tuned to developments on this topic.
  • Group 3: If a licensee has completed the 90-hour pre-license education (until the new 75-hour pre-license curriculum is available) on or after Nov. 2, 2019, the licensee will need to complete the 45-hour post-license curriculum on or before April 30, 2022.

IDFPR has indicated it will accept the 90-hour pre-license course until there is an approved 75-hour pre-license course available to new broker licensees. The department  is expected to publish its guidance on these transition provisions in the next couple weeks.

As soon as the department provides more information, Illinois REALTORS® will immediately update its RELA Rewrite webpage. (Login required).