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Get a Real Estate License in Illinois

Get a Real Estate License in Illinois2025-04-09T16:47:35-05:00

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.  

Meet IDFPR minimum qualifications

Minimum Age: 18
Minimum Education: High School Diploma or GED
Identification: SSN or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number AND government-issued photo ID

Steps to obtain your license

Those seeking a first-time real estate license in Illinois must take 75 hours of mandatory coursework to sit for the broker licensing exam. Required Illinois Broker Pre-License education includes: 60-hour Broker Pre-License Topics and 15-hour Broker Pre-License Applied Real Estate Principles. Illinois REALTORS® products listed as “75-hour” include both required courses.

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.

Successfully complete the course exams to move on to the next step. 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.

State portion: 40 multiple-choice questions
National portion: 100 multiple-choice questions
Allowed attempts: Four
Exam fee: $58 each attempt
Passing Score Report: passed exam valid for one year

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.

Submit your application to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).

Register: IDFPR’s online portal
Upload:
– Pre-License transcript(s) – valid for two years
– Passing Score Report: passed exam valid for one year
Application fee: $150 application
Confirmation: Managing Broker confirms sponsorship

Questions about this information or obtaining a Residential Leasing Agent or Managing Broker license should be sent to [email protected].

Ready to start your real estate career?

Illinois REALTORS® offers comprehensive education programs to help you obtain your real estate license. Our courses are designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the real estate industry.

Why take Illinois REALTORS® education?

Expert Instructors

Learn from experienced professionals who are experts in the field.

Flexible Learning Options

Choose from online, in-person, or hybrid courses to fit your schedule.

Comprehensive Curriculum

Our courses cover all the essential topics, including real estate principles, laws and practices.

Supportive Community

Join a network of aspiring and established real estate professionals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I don’t pass the licensing exam?2022-08-01T12:49:42-05:00

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 [email protected] for more information on retaking the education.

How do I register for the state and national real estate licensing exam?2022-08-01T12:48:51-05:00

Students must complete the full 75 hours of pre-license education, and have transcripts for both classes, before registering for the State & National licensing exam.

Once deemed eligible by the test administrator, PSI, students then register as CANDIDATES for the exam through PSI’s exam portal. More information is available in the PSI Candidate Handbook.

We recommend the ExamSmart and Leap Online Exam Prep programs. ExamSmart does have a free try before you buy option. Leap offers a National-only portion here or a State-only portion here. They both offer a randomized variety of questions, much like those on the State & National licensing exam.

PSI offers a self-assessment and a sample exam available in the PSI StoreHere is the link to the PSI handbook which answers a lot of the questions regarding the exam layout.

How long does it take to get a real estate license?2022-08-01T11:31:18-05:00

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 exam.

How much will it cost to get my real estate license?2025-04-08T15:05:40-05:00

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:
Online Pre-License Package with ebook – $519
State Examination Fee – $58
Initial License Application Fee – $150

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.

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