Below is the information for the nine states in a reciprocal license agreement with the State of Illinois. Click here for the handbook from the licensing exam administrator (PSI) for reference

If you are not, and never have been licensed in these nine states, you will be required to take the full 75 hours of pre-license education mandated for Illinois real estate licensees AND sit for both the State & National portions of the exam. Email [email protected] for detailed non-reciprocal information and links.

Once you have completed the 75 hours, you will be deemed a candidate by PSI to take the Illinois State & National real estate licensing exam. The exam has personal history questions, one of which is, “Have you ever held, or do you currently hold, a real estate license in any other state/jurisdiction?” If your answer is “Yes” you will be required to “submit an official licensing certification (licensure history with the state seal) from each licensing authority.

Please note: some states have a quick and easy online process for obtaining your license history while others do not. We advise requesting your history for the issuing state(s) right away to avoid unnecessary delays once your Illinois licensing exam is passed.

For more details on the licensing process, please review both the Illinois REALTORS® Pre-License Handbook and the PSI Candidate Handbook for questions about the licensing exam.

Please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected] with any licensing questions.

States Sharing Reciprocity with Illinois

Illinois currently has reciprocity with the states listed below. If you hold a real estate license in an Illinois reciprocal state, no classroom or coursework is required. The only requirement will be for you to take the state specific portion of the licensing exam (40 questions). A general overview of the state-specific 40 questions may be found in the Candidate Handbook on the PSI website.

COLORADO
Department of Regulatory Agencies
303-894-2166

CONNECTICUT
Department of Consumer Protection
860-713-7230

FLORIDA
referred to as mutual recognition
Dept of Business & Professional Regulation
850-487-1395

GEORGIA
Real Estate Commission
404-656-3916

INDIANA (Broker Only)
Real Estate Commission
317-234-3009

IOWA
Professional Licensing Bureau
Real Estate Commission
1918 SE Hulsizer Avenue
Ankeny, IA 50021-3941
515-281-3183

How to apply for licensure in Illinois on the basis of reciprocity

Illinois currently has reciprocity with the states listed below. If you hold a real estate license in an Illinois reciprocal state, no classroom or coursework is required. The only requirement will be for you to take the state specific portion of the licensing exam (40 questions). A general overview of the state-specific 40 questions may be found in the Candidate Handbook on the PSI website.

  • You must be actively licensed by examination in the state from which you are applying.

  • Illinois must have a written reciprocal agreement with the state in which you are currently licensed by examination.

  • You must take and pass the Illinois portion of the licensure examination.

  • Your sponsor must have a managing broker license in Illinois. A managing broker can self-sponsor.*

  • For Managing Broker Applicants only: your broker license must have been in an active status during the immediately preceding two years.*

*Indiana and Illinois only share BROKER reciprocity, not Managing Broker.

Illinois REALTORS® suggests using the Leap Online Exam Prep and ExamSmart programs. They offer a randomized variety of questions, much like those on the licensing exam. PSI may also have a one-time practice exam available in the PSI Store. Some students also benefit from purchasing the Modern Real Estate Practice in Illinois textbook or e-book.

To register as a candidate for the real estate exam, you will need to contact PSI directly to schedule. There are also exam prep products on PSI’s site, you can find them by following this link.

Once you have taken and passed the exam and are ready to fill out the Illinois Reciprocity Application. You will also need to request your Certified Licensure History from the state(s) in which you hold a real estate license. Refer to the regulatory agency for your state. We advise you contact the licensing agency in your state immediately to obtain this documentation