If you want to become a real estate agent in Berwyn, Illinois, the usual path is to obtain an Illinois real estate broker license, complete the required education, pass the state and national licensing examination, clear the background-check process, and work under a sponsoring broker. A state-approved Illinois pre-licensing course can provide the required coursework in a structured format and may be a convenient option for Berwyn residents who prefer online study.

Illinois Real Estate License Requirements

Illinois generally licenses entry-level real estate professionals as brokers, rather than using “salesperson” as the primary license category. To qualify for an Illinois broker license, an applicant must generally:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Have a high school diploma or GED.
• Complete 75 hours of approved pre-license education.
• Pass the Illinois real estate licensing examination.
• Complete the application and licensing process through IDFPR.
• Satisfy the background-check and fingerprinting requirements.
• Be sponsored by an Illinois sponsoring broker before practicing real estate.

IDFPR’s professional requirements document identifies the 75-hour education requirement, state and national examination, and sponsoring-broker requirement for a real estate broker license.

Applicants should confirm the latest rules directly with IDFPR because administrative procedures, forms, deadlines, and fees can change.

Complete the 75-Hour Pre-License Education

The required education consists of 75 hours of Illinois-approved broker pre-license coursework. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for both the legal and practical aspects of brokerage, including topics such as:

• Real estate principles.
• Illinois license law and regulation.
• Agency relationships.
• Contracts.
• Property ownership and transfer.
• Fair housing and civil-rights requirements.
• Financing and closing practices.
• Real estate mathematics.
• Professional responsibilities and risk management.

The course must be provided by an education provider approved by the Illinois Division of Real Estate. IDFPR states that only licensed education providers may offer pre-license, post-license, or continuing-education courses that satisfy the Real Estate License Act.

Online Illinois Pre-License Courses

Online education can be useful for people in Berwyn who are balancing work, family, or other commitments. Depending on the provider and course format, students may be able to study on demand or attend live, interactive online classes.

Before enrolling, verify that the course:

• Is approved for Illinois broker pre-license education.
• Clearly provides all 75 required hours.
• Explains attendance, identity-verification, and testing rules.
• Includes instructor or student support.
• States whether textbooks, exam preparation, and practice tests are included.
• Provides documentation of course completion for the licensing application.

An approved Illinois real estate licensing course can help organize the 75-hour requirement, but completing a course does not itself grant a license. You must still pass the examination, complete the application, satisfy the background-check process, and obtain sponsorship.

Submit the Application and Complete Fingerprinting

After completing the required education, applicants generally proceed through the Illinois application process. The exact steps depend on the current application method and IDFPR instructions, but applicants should expect to:

1. Create or access the required IDFPR licensing account.
2. Submit the broker license application.
3. Provide proof of education completion.
4. Pay the applicable application and examination-related fees.
5. Arrange the required fingerprint-based background check through an authorized vendor or process.
6. Schedule and take the licensing examination.
7. Provide any additional information requested by IDFPR.

Background Check and Fingerprinting

Illinois requires applicants to undergo a criminal-history review as part of the licensing process. Fingerprints are submitted through the procedure specified by IDFPR and its approved background-check vendors.

A criminal record does not automatically establish whether an applicant will be licensed. However, applicants should answer disclosure questions completely and accurately. Omissions, inconsistent information, or failure to follow fingerprinting instructions can delay an application or lead to additional review.

Because fingerprinting procedures and vendor instructions may change, use the current IDFPR application materials rather than relying on older course materials or unofficial checklists.

Pass the Illinois Real Estate Licensing Exam

The Illinois broker examination includes state and national portions. The exam tests knowledge of real estate principles, practices, laws, regulations, contracts, agency, financing, calculations, and other topics covered in the approved curriculum.

IDFPR publishes an exam candidate bulletin and examination resources for applicants. Review the current bulletin before scheduling because it contains important information about:

• Registration and scheduling.
• Identification requirements.
• Testing-center rules.
• Examination content.
• Passing standards.
• Retake procedures.
• Score reporting.

A good preparation plan includes completing the course assessments, reviewing Illinois-specific license law, practicing real estate calculations, and taking realistic practice examinations. If you do not pass one portion, determine from the current candidate bulletin whether only that portion must be retaken and what deadlines apply.

Find a Sponsoring Broker in Berwyn or Nearby

An Illinois broker generally must be sponsored by a sponsoring broker to practice. Sponsorship connects the newly licensed broker with a supervising brokerage and allows the broker to conduct licensed activities through that firm.

When comparing brokerages serving Berwyn, consider:

• Training for new brokers.
• Mentorship and supervision.
• Commission structure and transaction fees.
• Desk, technology, marketing, and association fees.
• Lead-generation support.
• Access to listing and transaction-management systems.
• Office culture and communication.
• Geographic coverage in Berwyn, western Cook County, and surrounding communities.
• Expectations for prospecting, open houses, and client service.

A sponsoring broker is more than a place to hang a license. For a new agent, the quality of training, contract review, compliance support, and transaction supervision can significantly affect the early career experience.

How Much Does It Cost?

The total cost varies by applicant, education provider, examination needs, fingerprinting vendor, and brokerage. A realistic budget should account for:

• The pre-license course.
• Required books or digital materials, if not included.
• Examination registration and testing fees.
• Fingerprinting and background-check charges.
• The initial license application fee.
• Possible retest costs.
• Local REALTOR® association or multiple-listing-service fees, if applicable.
• Brokerage, technology, marketing, and transaction fees.
• Transportation, insurance, and business expenses.

The state fees and procedures should be confirmed using the current IDFPR fee schedule and application instructions. Course prices and brokerage charges are not set by one statewide amount, so avoid relying on an advertised “total cost” unless it identifies every included and excluded charge.

How Long Does It Take?

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

• How quickly you complete the 75-hour course.
• Whether the course is self-paced or scheduled.
• Exam appointment availability.
• Whether you pass on the first attempt.
• Fingerprint and background-check processing.
• Application completeness.
• IDFPR processing time.
• How quickly you select a sponsoring broker.

A motivated student may complete the education relatively quickly, but the entire process can take longer if an application is incomplete, the exam must be retaken, or additional background information is requested. Check current IDFPR and testing-provider instructions for processing estimates rather than assuming a fixed number of days or weeks.

Post-License Education

New Illinois brokers must complete 45 hours of post-license education during the applicable first renewal period. IDFPR identifies the requirement as three 15-hour courses covering:

• Applied brokerage principles.
• Risk management and discipline.
• Transactional issues.

Each course has its own final examination, according to the Illinois Real Estate License Act materials published by IDFPR.

The deadline can depend on when the broker license was first issued and the applicable renewal cycle. IDFPR’s current continuing-education fact sheet explains that brokers newly licensed during the current cycle must complete 45 hours of post-license education by the applicable renewal deadline.

Post-license education is not optional professional development. Failure to complete it can affect renewal eligibility, so track the deadline from the beginning of your first license period.

Continuing Education and License Renewal

After the initial post-license period, Illinois brokers must complete continuing education before renewing their licenses. The exact number and composition of hours depend on the broker’s initial license date and the renewal cycle.

IDFPR’s current materials state that continuing education and post-license education must be completed through an IDFPR-approved real estate education provider. Requirements may include core subjects, elective education, and sexual-harassment-prevention training, depending on the applicable cycle.

Before renewing:

• Check the current IDFPR renewal instructions.
• Confirm which education category applies to your license.
• Complete courses before submitting the renewal.
• Keep completion records.
• Confirm that your provider is approved.
• Do not assume that an older CE rule applies to your license.

You can use Illinois-approved real estate education to begin your licensing education, but later post-license and CE courses must also meet the applicable IDFPR approval requirements.

Potential Earnings for Berwyn Real Estate Agents

Real estate income can vary substantially. Many agents are paid through commissions tied to completed transactions rather than a fixed salary, and some work part time or have uneven income during the first years.

Potential earnings depend on:

• Number and type of transactions closed.
• Property prices and transaction terms.
• Commission agreements.
• Brokerage splits and transaction fees.
• Lead-generation and marketing expenses.
• Experience and repeat business.
• Local competition and market conditions.
• Whether the agent works full time or part time.

Public wage data can provide a broad occupational reference, but it may not reflect the actual income of an individual commission-based real estate professional. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports wage information for real estate brokers and sales agents, but its figures should be interpreted carefully because self-employed and commission-based earnings may not be fully comparable with traditional salaries.

Do not treat a salary estimate as a guarantee. A new Berwyn agent should prepare for variable income, maintain adequate savings, and understand the brokerage’s commission and expense structure before joining.

Career Opportunities in and Around Berwyn

An Illinois broker license can support several career paths, including:

• Residential buyer representation.
• Residential listing services.
• Rental and leasing assistance, subject to applicable rules.
• New-construction sales.
• Commercial real estate.
• Investment-property transactions.
• Relocation services.
• Property management-related work where separately permitted.
• Real estate referrals.
• Brokerage administration and operations.
• Later advancement to managing broker.

Berwyn-based agents may serve clients throughout the near-west suburbs and the wider Chicago-area market, provided they follow Illinois licensing, advertising, agency, fair-housing, and brokerage-supervision rules. Local expertise can develop through neighborhood research, open houses, community involvement, continuing education, and consistent client service—but no particular level of demand or income should be assumed without current market evidence.

Practical Steps for a Berwyn Applicant

A simple action plan is:

1. Review the current IDFPR broker requirements.
2. Enroll in a state-approved 75-hour Illinois pre-license course.
3. Complete the course and retain proof of completion.
4. Study for the state and national examination.
5. Complete fingerprinting and the background-check process.
6. Submit the application and required fees.
7. Schedule and pass the examination.
8. Interview sponsoring brokerages serving Berwyn and surrounding communities.
9. Activate or practice under the appropriate sponsorship arrangement.
10. Complete the required 45-hour post-license education.
11. Track continuing education and renewal deadlines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a college degree to become a real estate agent in Illinois?

No. The Illinois broker requirements identify a high school diploma or GED as the minimum education credential; a college degree is not listed as a requirement.

How many hours of education are required before the Illinois exam?

Applicants generally need 75 hours of approved broker pre-license education.

Can I take the Illinois real estate course online?

Online options may be available, but the course must satisfy Illinois requirements and be offered by an IDFPR-approved education provider.

Do I need a sponsoring broker?

Yes. An Illinois real estate broker must generally be sponsored by a sponsoring broker to practice.

Is fingerprinting required?

Applicants should expect a fingerprint-based background check as part of the licensing process and must follow the current IDFPR instructions.

What happens after I pass the exam?

Passing the exam is only one part of licensing. You must complete the application process, satisfy background-check requirements, and arrange the required sponsorship before practicing.

What is the first post-license education requirement?

New brokers generally must complete 45 hours of post-license education during the applicable first renewal period. The requirement consists of three 15-hour courses.

How much can a Berwyn real estate agent earn?

There is no guaranteed amount. Income depends on transactions, commission agreements, brokerage expenses, experience, and whether the agent works full time or part time. Public wage data should be treated as a broad occupational reference rather than a personal earnings promise.

Authoritative Sources

• Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation — Real Estate Brokerage
• IDFPR Professional Requirements for Licensure
• IDFPR Real Estate License Act materials
• IDFPR 2026 Real Estate Broker Continuing Education Fact Sheet
• IDFPR 45-Hour Broker Post-License Curriculum