How to Get Your Real Estate License in Bourbonnais, Illinois

Becoming a real estate agent in Bourbonnais, Illinois, starts with completing the state’s approved broker pre-licensing education, passing the Illinois licensing examination, and affiliating with a sponsoring broker. An approved Illinois pre-licensing course can provide a structured way to complete the required coursework online while preparing for the licensing exam.

Illinois Real Estate License Requirements

Illinois generally licenses entry-level real estate professionals as brokers rather than using “salesperson” as the initial 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 the required approved pre-license education.
Pass the Illinois broker licensing examination.
Complete the application process through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, or IDFPR.
Complete the required background check and fingerprinting process.
Obtain sponsorship from an active Illinois sponsoring broker.

IDFPR’s professional-requirements materials identify the 75-hour pre-license education requirement, state and national examination, sponsoring-broker requirement, and 45-hour post-license education requirement for new brokers.

Because licensing rules, forms, and procedures can change, applicants should verify the current requirements with IDFPR before enrolling or submitting an application.

Complete 75 Hours of Pre-Licensing Education

Before taking the Illinois broker exam, applicants generally must complete 75 hours of approved pre-license education.

The education is designed to introduce future brokers to topics such as:

Illinois real estate license law.
Agency relationships.
Contracts and disclosures.
Real estate finance.
Property ownership and land use.
Valuation and market analysis.
Leasing and property management.
Real estate brokerage practice.
Federal and state fair-housing requirements.
Professional conduct and consumer protection.

The course must be offered by an education provider approved under Illinois requirements. A certificate of completion or other education documentation is typically needed before an applicant can proceed to the examination and license application stages.

Online Illinois Pre-Licensing Courses

Online education can be a practical option for someone in Bourbonnais who needs flexibility around work, family, or other commitments. Before enrolling, confirm that the course:

Is approved for Illinois broker pre-license education.
Provides the full required number of hours.
Explains attendance, progress, and completion requirements.
Includes exam-preparation materials or practice questions, if desired.
Clearly distinguishes pre-license education from post-license education and continuing education.

Online delivery does not eliminate the state’s examination, application, background-check, or sponsoring-broker requirements. The Illinois broker pre-licensing course is one option to evaluate when comparing approved education providers.

Apply for the Illinois Broker Examination

After completing the required education, the applicant must register for and pass the Illinois broker licensing examination. The examination includes state and national portions, and IDFPR’s licensing instructions state that examination results are transmitted to the Division of Real Estate by the testing vendor.

Testing procedures, scheduling, identification requirements, retake rules, and examination fees can vary by the state’s contracted testing provider. Applicants should review the current examination candidate materials before scheduling.

Prepare for the Exam

A useful study plan may include:

Reviewing all course modules instead of relying only on practice tests.
Focusing on Illinois license law for the state portion.
Studying contracts, financing, agency, calculations, and ownership concepts for the national portion.
Practicing real estate math without overlooking basic concepts such as prorations, commissions, loan-to-value ratios, and property measurements.
Scheduling the exam only after consistently passing practice assessments.
Confirming the testing center or remote-testing requirements in advance.

Passing the course final examination does not necessarily mean an applicant will pass the state licensing examination. They are separate steps.

Complete Fingerprinting and the Background Check

Illinois applicants should expect a criminal background-check process that includes fingerprinting through an approved vendor or procedure identified by IDFPR. The results help the state evaluate an applicant’s eligibility for licensure.

A criminal record does not automatically answer every licensing question. The outcome can depend on the nature of the offense, how long ago it occurred, disclosure requirements, rehabilitation evidence, and applicable Illinois rules. Applicants with concerns should disclose information accurately and contact IDFPR or a qualified licensing professional rather than guessing on the application.

Fingerprinting is usually an additional expense separate from the education, examination, and license-application fees. The amount and approved procedures may change, so confirm the current charge when arranging the background check.

Submit the License Application

Once the education and examination requirements are complete, the applicant can submit the broker license application through the current IDFPR process. The application must be completed accurately and may require documentation showing education completion, examination results, sponsorship, and background-check compliance.

IDFPR’s online licensing instructions list a $125 application fee for a real estate broker license. Applicants should also budget for costs that may be charged separately, including:

Pre-license education.
Textbooks or supplemental exam-preparation materials.
Examination fees.
Fingerprinting and background-check services.
Professional association or local board dues, if voluntarily chosen or required by a brokerage.
Multiple listing service access, if applicable.
Business cards, signs, advertising, transportation, insurance, and technology.

The total cost varies by education provider, testing circumstances, brokerage arrangement, and business choices. The $125 application fee should not be treated as the total cost of entering the profession.

Find a Sponsoring Broker in Bourbonnais or the Kankakee-Area Market

A new Illinois broker generally must be sponsored by an active sponsoring broker before practicing under a brokerage. Sponsorship is not merely a formality: the sponsoring broker or brokerage typically provides supervision, policies, transaction systems, training, and access to the company’s business platform.

When comparing brokerages serving Bourbonnais and nearby communities, ask about:

Commission splits and transaction fees.
Monthly desk, technology, or administrative fees.
Training for new brokers.
Mentorship and supervision.
Lead-generation expectations.
Marketing policies.
Contract review and transaction coordination.
Office, hybrid, or remote-work arrangements.
Whether association, MLS, lockbox, or other fees are paid by the broker or the agent.
Requirements for maintaining an active license.

Do not choose a sponsoring broker solely because of a high advertised commission split. For a new agent, practical support, compliance guidance, and access to training may be more valuable than a nominally favorable split.

Complete the 45-Hour Post-License Education

New Illinois brokers must complete 45 hours of post-license education during the first license term. The curriculum consists of three 15-hour courses covering applied brokerage principles, risk management and discipline, and transactional issues.

Each course requires its own provider-administered 50-question final examination.

The 45-hour requirement generally must be completed before the first renewal deadline. If the initial license is issued within the 180 days before the first renewal deadline, the deadline may extend to the second renewal deadline under Illinois rules.

The post-license requirement is different from the initial 75-hour pre-license course. It focuses more directly on applying real estate concepts in actual brokerage practice.

Maintain the License Through Continuing Education

After the initial post-license period, Illinois brokers must complete continuing education for license renewal. Illinois law generally requires 12 hours of continuing education during each two-year license term, subject to applicable exceptions and special requirements.

The continuing-education structure includes:

A core curriculum.
An elective curriculum.
At least two hours of fair-housing training within the core requirement.

The 45-hour post-license curriculum satisfies the continuing-education requirement for the initial broker license term, so a new broker generally does not complete an additional 12 hours during that same initial term.

Renewal rules and deadlines can change. Brokers should track their renewal date and complete approved education before submitting a renewal application.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Bourbonnais Real Estate Agent?

There is no single guaranteed timeline. The process depends on:

How quickly the applicant completes the 75-hour course.
Course scheduling and completion policies.
Exam availability.
Whether the applicant passes the first time.
Fingerprint and background-check processing.
Application processing.
The time required to find a sponsoring broker.

A full-time student may move through the process more quickly than someone studying part time, but applicants should avoid relying on an advertised “fast license” timeline. The safest approach is to verify each current deadline and processing step with the education provider, testing vendor, and IDFPR.

Potential Earnings and Career Opportunities

Real estate income is variable and commonly depends on completed transactions, commission arrangements, brokerage splits, expenses, market conditions, experience, and the amount of time devoted to the business. New agents may have irregular income while developing a client base, and licensing does not guarantee sales or a particular salary.

Potential career directions include:

Residential buyer representation.
Residential listing services.
Relocation assistance.
New-construction sales.
Leasing and rental representation.
Property management, when properly authorized and structured.
Commercial real estate.
Land and agricultural property transactions.
Investment-property services.
Real estate referrals.
Progression toward an Illinois managing broker license.

Bourbonnais-based agents may choose to build relationships within the village and surrounding Kankakee-area communities, but local success depends on individual networking, service quality, market knowledge, compliance, and business development. Applicants should research local competition and brokerage models without assuming that national income claims apply to the Bourbonnais market.

Is Real Estate a Good Career in Bourbonnais?

Real estate can suit people who enjoy sales, negotiation, relationship-building, organization, and self-directed work. It may offer flexibility and multiple specialties, but it also involves marketing costs, unpredictable income, continuing education, legal compliance, and a long-term need to generate business.

Before enrolling, consider:

Whether variable income fits your financial situation.
How you will cover expenses during the first several months.
Whether you prefer residential, commercial, leasing, or another specialty.
How much time you can devote to prospecting and client service.
Which brokerage provides the supervision and training you need.
Whether you understand the difference between gross commission income and take-home income.

A realistic business plan is more useful than relying on broad claims about average agent earnings.

FAQ

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

No college degree is identified as a general entry requirement. Illinois requires applicants to be at least 18 and to have a high school diploma or GED, along with the required education, examination, application, background-check, and sponsorship steps.

How many education hours are required before the Illinois real estate exam?

The current IDFPR professional-requirements material identifies 75 hours of approved broker pre-license education.

Can I complete the Illinois real estate course online?

Online options may be available through approved education providers. Confirm that the provider and course satisfy current Illinois requirements before enrolling.

How much does an Illinois real estate license cost?

IDFPR’s licensing instructions list a $125 broker application fee. Education, examination, fingerprinting, background-check, and business expenses are additional and may vary.

Do new Illinois brokers need a sponsoring broker?

Yes. A new broker generally must be sponsored by an active Illinois sponsoring broker to practice under a brokerage.

What education is required after receiving the license?

New brokers must complete 45 hours of post-license education, generally consisting of three 15-hour courses with a separate 50-question final examination for each course.

Is continuing education required after the first renewal period?

Yes. Illinois generally requires 12 hours of approved continuing education during each two-year license term, subject to applicable exceptions.

Can I work only in Bourbonnais?

An Illinois license is issued at the state level, but the sponsoring-broker relationship, brokerage policies, and business strategy determine where and how an agent practices. An agent may focus on Bourbonnais while also serving nearby communities if permitted by the brokerage and applicable rules.

Authoritative Sources

Illinois Real Estate License Requirements

Be at least 18 years old.
Have a high school diploma or GED.
Complete the required approved pre-license education.
Pass the Illinois broker licensing examination.
Complete the application process through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, or IDFPR.
Complete the required background check and fingerprinting process.
Obtain sponsorship from an active Illinois sponsoring broker.

Because licensing rules, forms, and procedures can change, applicants should verify the current requirements with IDFPR before enrolling or submitting an application.