How to Get Your Real Estate License in Andover, Illinois

Becoming a real estate agent in Andover, Illinois, starts with completing the state’s required education, passing the Illinois real estate licensing examination, and finding a sponsoring broker. An approved Illinois pre-licensing course can provide the required instruction and help you prepare for the exam through a flexible online format.

Although Andover is a village, real estate professionals serving Andover must meet statewide Illinois licensing requirements. There is no separate village-level real estate license. Your opportunities may include working with buyers, sellers, landlords, and investors in Andover and surrounding communities, depending on your brokerage, service area, and local market knowledge.

Illinois Real Estate License Requirements

Illinois generally licenses entry-level real estate professionals as brokers. To qualify for an Illinois broker license, an applicant must generally:

Be at least 18 years old.
Have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent education.
Complete the required approved pre-license education.
Pass the Illinois real estate licensing examination.
Submit a completed license application and required fee.
Meet the state’s character and background requirements.
Be sponsored by an Illinois sponsoring broker before engaging in licensed activities.

Illinois law lists completion of 75 hours of approved real estate instruction as a broker-license requirement, including required situational and case-study education. IDFPR’s professional-requirements summary also identifies the broker pathway as requiring 75 hours of pre-license education, a state and national examination, and sponsorship by a sponsoring broker.

How Many Education Hours Are Required?

The standard Illinois broker pre-license requirement is 75 hours of approved education.

The curriculum is intended to cover foundational topics such as:

Real estate principles and practices
Illinois real estate laws and rules
Agency relationships
Contracts
Property ownership
Financing
Fair housing
Real estate mathematics
Closings and transactions
Professional responsibilities
Situational and case-study material

At least part of the required education must address situational and case-study content. Illinois law allows this portion to be delivered in a classroom, through a live interactive webinar, or through approved online distance education.

Before enrolling, confirm that the provider and course are approved for Illinois broker pre-license education. Completing a general real estate course that is not approved by IDFPR may not satisfy the licensing requirement.

Can You Take the Course Online?

Yes. Illinois permits approved distance-education options, and some providers offer the required broker education online. Online learning may be useful for residents of Andover who want to study around work, family, or commuting responsibilities.

Online course formats vary. Depending on the provider, you may find:

Self-paced lessons
Online quizzes and practice tests
Instructor support
Live virtual classes
Downloadable study materials
Exam-preparation resources

Before paying for a course, verify its current approval status, total tuition, completion rules, technology requirements, and refund policy. Course tuition is separate from state application fees, examination fees, fingerprinting costs, and other expenses.

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Confirm Your Eligibility

Make sure you meet the age and education requirements. You should also review whether any criminal history, professional discipline, or licensing issue could affect your application.

A prior conviction does not automatically mean an applicant cannot become licensed, but applicants must answer application questions accurately and may need to provide additional documentation. IDFPR evaluates applications under Illinois licensing law and administrative rules.

2. Complete 75 Hours of Approved Education

Enroll in an approved Illinois broker pre-license program and complete all required coursework. Keep your completion documentation because it may be needed during the application process or an audit.

3. Schedule and Pass the Licensing Exam

Illinois broker applicants must pass the licensing examination administered by the state’s testing vendor. The examination includes state and national subject areas.

Study topics commonly include:

Property ownership
Land use and zoning concepts
Valuation and market analysis
Financing
Contracts
Agency
Illinois license law
Consumer protection
Fair housing
Real estate calculations

Use the current candidate handbook and examination instructions when preparing. Testing procedures, scheduling rules, identification requirements, and examination fees can change.

If you do not pass, review the current retesting rules before scheduling another attempt. Additional education or a waiting period may apply depending on the circumstances and current testing policies.

4. Complete the Application

After satisfying the education and examination requirements, submit the Illinois broker license application through the process specified by IDFPR. The current IDFPR broker application instructions identify a $125 application fee.

Application fees are generally nonrefundable. Confirm the amount and payment method on the current IDFPR application materials before submitting payment.

5. Complete Background-Check and Fingerprinting Requirements

Applicants should be prepared for criminal-history and background-review questions. Fingerprinting may be required as part of the state’s background-check process, depending on the application instructions and the applicant’s circumstances.

If IDFPR requires fingerprints, use an authorized vendor and follow the agency’s instructions carefully. Fingerprint costs are typically separate from the license application fee. Do not assume that fingerprints completed for another employer, license, or agency will automatically satisfy the Illinois real estate application.

Disclose requested information completely and consistently. Omitting relevant information can create a separate licensing problem even when the underlying incident might not have prevented licensure.

Sponsoring Broker Requirements

A new Illinois broker generally must be sponsored by a sponsoring broker before practicing real estate.

The sponsoring broker is a licensed professional or brokerage responsible for supervising sponsored licensees and overseeing licensed activities. A new agent should evaluate a brokerage carefully rather than choosing solely on brand recognition.

Questions to ask a prospective sponsoring broker include:

What training is provided to new agents?
Is there mentoring during the first transactions?
How are commissions divided?
Are there desk, technology, transaction, or marketing fees?
What leads, if any, are provided?
Which areas and property types does the brokerage serve?
What are the office, supervision, and communication expectations?
Does the brokerage support online marketing and electronic transactions?
Are there minimum production requirements?

For someone serving Andover, it may be useful to compare brokerages based on their experience in the surrounding region, accessibility for clients, technology, and support structure. Avoid assuming that a brokerage located in Andover is required; Illinois licensing is statewide, and a licensee’s practical service area depends on the brokerage and business model.

How Much Does It Cost?

The total cost varies because some expenses depend on the education provider, testing vendor, fingerprint vendor, and business choices.

Potential expenses include:

Pre-license course tuition
Required textbooks or study materials
Licensing examination fee
Illinois broker application fee
Fingerprinting or background-check fee, if required
Transportation or technology costs
Post-license education
Association or multiple-listing-service fees, if applicable
Brokerage, marketing, insurance, and transaction expenses

The current IDFPR broker application instructions list the application fee as $125. The state’s official materials should be checked for current examination, fingerprinting, and other charges because these amounts and procedures may change.

A realistic budget should also include several months of personal living expenses. Real estate income is often commission-based, and a new agent may not receive compensation immediately after obtaining a license.

How Long Does It Take?

There is no single guaranteed timeline for becoming licensed in Illinois. The process depends on:

How quickly you complete the 75-hour course
Exam availability
Whether you pass on the first attempt
Application-processing time
Background-check or fingerprinting requirements
How quickly you select a sponsoring broker

A self-paced online student may complete education on a different schedule from someone taking a live class. The safest approach is to plan around the actual course calendar, testing availability, and current IDFPR processing instructions rather than relying on a fixed number of weeks.

Post-License Education

New Illinois brokers must complete 45 hours of post-license education during the first license term.

The post-license requirement consists of three 15-hour courses covering subjects such as:

Applied brokerage principles
Risk management and discipline
Transactional issues

Each course includes an examination administered by the education provider. The required post-license education must generally be completed before the first renewal. Brokers who complete the 45-hour post-license education during the first license term are not required to complete the regular continuing education requirement for that same term.

New licensees should track the first renewal deadline carefully. A license issued close to a renewal deadline may be subject to special timing rules, so confirm the applicable deadline with IDFPR.

Continuing Education After the First Renewal

After the initial post-license period, Illinois brokers must complete continuing education for each renewal period. Current Illinois rules require 12 hours of continuing education during the current license term for brokers, subject to applicable exceptions.

Continuing education may include required core and elective content. Requirements can be updated by statute or administrative rule, so licensees should use current IDFPR renewal guidance and approved-course information.

Failing to complete education by the applicable deadline can delay renewal or create compliance problems. Keep certificates and course records in case IDFPR audits your license.

Potential Earnings in Illinois Real Estate

Real estate agent income is not guaranteed. Compensation usually depends on completed transactions, commission arrangements, brokerage splits, expenses, market conditions, experience, and the amount of time devoted to the business.

Public wage data can provide broad occupational context, but it may not represent the income of a newly licensed commission-based agent in Andover. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports wage information for real estate sales agents nationally and by state, but individual results can vary substantially.

New agents should plan for:

Uneven monthly income
Prospecting and marketing expenses
Unpaid time spent on training and client development
Transaction delays or cancellations
Taxes and self-employment obligations
Brokerage and technology fees

Before leaving another job, consider building a financial reserve and creating a written business plan. Discuss commission splits, fees, and independent-contractor arrangements with the prospective brokerage and a qualified tax professional.

Career Opportunities for Licensed Agents

An Illinois broker license can support several real estate career paths, depending on experience, brokerage policies, and additional training. Potential opportunities include:

Residential buyer representation
Residential listing representation
Leasing and rental services, where permitted
New-construction sales
Commercial real estate
Land and farm transactions
Investment-property services
Relocation assistance
Property management-related work, subject to applicable laws and licensing requirements
Real estate transaction coordination or administrative roles

Some activities require additional expertise, brokerage supervision, or separate legal and regulatory analysis. A broker should not assume that an Illinois real estate license authorizes every property-related service.

For an Andover-focused practice, local knowledge can be valuable. Learn the communities you intend to serve, understand property types in the region, develop reliable communication systems, and build relationships with lenders, inspectors, attorneys, contractors, and other professionals without making unsupported claims about local market conditions.

How to Choose an Illinois Pre-License Course

A suitable course should be approved for Illinois broker pre-license education and clearly explain what is included in the tuition.

Compare providers on:

IDFPR approval
Complete 75-hour curriculum
Online or live delivery format
Course access period
Instructor availability
Practice examinations
Completion verification
Refund policy
Technical support
Additional materials and fees

An approved Illinois real estate pre-licensing program can help organize the education phase before you apply for the exam and license.

FAQ

Is there a separate real estate license for Andover?

No. Andover does not issue a separate municipal real estate-agent license. Agents practicing there generally need the appropriate Illinois license and must comply with state law and sponsoring-broker requirements.

Can I get an Illinois broker license at age 18?

Illinois law identifies 18 as the minimum age for a broker applicant, along with other eligibility requirements. Confirm the current application instructions because administrative materials and pathways can contain additional details.

Do I need a college degree?

No general college degree is listed as a standard requirement for the Illinois broker license. Applicants generally need a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent and must complete the approved pre-license education.

Can I take the 75-hour course online?

Approved online distance education is available, and Illinois law permits required situational and case-study instruction through approved online distance education or live interactive formats. Verify that the specific provider and course are currently approved.

Do I need a sponsoring broker?

Yes. IDFPR identifies sponsorship by a sponsoring broker as part of the standard Illinois broker licensing pathway. A new broker should arrange sponsorship before performing activities that require an active sponsored license.

How much is the Illinois license application fee?

The current IDFPR broker application instructions list a $125 application fee. Other expenses, including education, examination, and possible fingerprinting charges, are separate and may change.

What education is required after I receive the license?

A new broker generally must complete 45 hours of post-license education during the first license term. After that, continuing education is required for renewals, with current rules listing 12 hours per license term for brokers, subject to exceptions.

How much money can a new agent make?

There is no guaranteed income level. Earnings depend on transactions, commission arrangements, expenses, experience, and market conditions. State and national wage data can offer general context but should not be treated as a promise of income in Andover.

Authoritative Sources