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

Illinois generally licenses entry-level real estate professionals as brokers rather than using “salesperson” as the primary license category. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) identifies the basic broker requirements as being at least 18 years old, having a high school diploma or GED, completing 75 hours of pre-license education, passing the state and national examination, and obtaining sponsorship from a sponsoring broker.

Illinois Real Estate License Requirements

To apply for an Illinois real estate broker license, an applicant generally must:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Hold a high school diploma or GED.
• Complete 75 hours of approved pre-license education.
• Pass the Illinois real estate licensing examination, including the state and national portions.
• Complete the required application and licensing steps through IDFPR.
• Satisfy the state’s criminal-history and fingerprinting requirements.
• Be associated with a sponsoring broker before practicing under the license.

The requirements can change through legislation, administrative rules, or IDFPR procedures. Applicants should confirm the current checklist and application instructions before enrolling or submitting an application.

Step 1: Complete 75 Hours of Pre-License Education

Illinois requires 75 hours of approved broker pre-license education. State law specifies that the curriculum includes instruction in real estate subjects and requires 15 hours of situational and case-study education delivered in an approved classroom, live interactive webinar, or online distance-education format.

The education is intended to cover concepts such as:

• Real estate law and Illinois license law
• Agency relationships and disclosures
• Contracts and transaction procedures
• Property ownership and interests
• Real estate finance
• Fair housing and civil-rights requirements
• Valuation and market principles
• Leasing and property management concepts
• Professional responsibilities and risk management

The precise course structure, examinations, attendance rules, and delivery method depend on the approved education provider.

Online Illinois Pre-License Courses

Online education may be available through approved providers, including online distance education and live interactive webinar formats. Before registering, confirm that the provider and course are approved for Illinois broker pre-license credit and that the format satisfies current IDFPR requirements.

A quality online course should offer:

• The full 75 hours required for broker pre-licensing
• Illinois-specific law and rules
• Progress tracking and completion records
• Practice questions or exam preparation
• Clear instructions for required quizzes or final examinations
• Customer support and access to course materials

For applicants in Burbank, online study can reduce commuting and provide scheduling flexibility. It does not eliminate the need to satisfy every state education and examination requirement.

Step 2: Submit the License Application

After completing the required education, the applicant must follow IDFPR’s current process for applying for the broker examination and license. The application process may involve submitting education documentation, personal information, identity information, required attestations, and applicable fees.

The exact sequence can depend on the applicant’s education provider and IDFPR’s current testing and licensing procedures. Use the Department’s current real estate forms and instructions rather than relying on an older checklist.

Applicants should keep copies of:

• Course completion certificates
• Examination confirmations and score reports
• Fingerprinting or background-check documentation
• Application receipts
• Communications from IDFPR or the testing vendor

If an application includes a criminal conviction, disciplinary history, or another potentially reportable matter, answer the questions completely and provide any documentation requested. A prior issue does not automatically establish the licensing outcome, but withholding required information can create additional problems.

Step 3: Complete Fingerprinting and the Background Check

Illinois broker applicants may need to complete a criminal background check through the state-approved fingerprinting process. Fingerprinting is separate from the real estate examination and should be completed according to the current IDFPR instructions.

Because fingerprint vendors, submission procedures, and acceptable documentation can change, applicants should verify:

• Whether fingerprinting is required for the specific application
• Which vendors or formats are currently accepted
• How long the results remain valid
• Where the results must be sent
• Whether a receipt or transaction number must accompany the application

Do not wait until the last moment if the application instructions require background-check results before licensure.

Step 4: Pass the Illinois Real Estate Exam

Illinois requires broker applicants to pass both the national and state portions of the real estate examination. The exam tests general real estate knowledge as well as Illinois-specific laws, rules, and practices.

Preparation commonly includes:

• Reviewing the course textbook and state-law materials
• Taking timed practice examinations
• Memorizing key definitions and formulas
• Studying agency, contracts, finance, disclosures, and fair housing
• Reviewing Illinois license law and regulatory requirements
• Scheduling additional preparation if one portion is unsuccessful

The testing vendor’s current candidate handbook should be consulted for registration, identification, scheduling, score reporting, retesting, and test-center rules. Passing the exam alone does not authorize independent practice.

Step 5: Choose a Sponsoring Broker

A new Illinois broker must be sponsored by a sponsoring broker before practicing real estate. In practical terms, the sponsoring broker is the managing brokerage under which the new agent performs licensed activities.

When comparing brokerages serving Burbank and the surrounding Chicago area, ask about:

• Commission splits and transaction fees
• Monthly desk, technology, or administrative fees
• Training and mentorship
• Lead distribution
• Required office or team fees
• Marketing support
• Transaction coordination
• Availability of managing brokers
• Geographic coverage and client-service expectations
• Independent-contractor policies and expenses

The highest advertised commission split is not always the lowest-cost or best-supported option. New agents should compare the complete compensation and support structure in writing.

Illinois Real Estate License Costs

The total cost of becoming an Illinois broker varies. Typical expense categories may include:

• Pre-license education
• Course materials
• Examination fees
• Fingerprinting and background-check fees
• License application and issuance fees
• Brokerage-related business expenses
• Association, lockbox, marketing, insurance, and technology costs, if applicable

Fees can change, and some are paid to different organizations. IDFPR’s current fee schedule and application instructions should be checked before budgeting. Course and brokerage costs also vary, so quoting a single total without confirming the applicant’s circumstances would be unreliable.

How Long Does It Take?

The timeline depends on the student’s schedule, course format, exam availability, application processing, fingerprinting, and whether the applicant passes both exam portions on the first attempt.

A realistic planning approach is to:

1. Select an approved 75-hour course.
2. Complete the education and provider examinations.
3. Follow IDFPR’s current application and examination instructions.
4. Complete fingerprinting if required.
5. Pass both the national and Illinois portions of the exam.
6. Select a sponsoring broker.
7. Finish the licensing and sponsorship steps before practicing.

Applicants should treat any advertised completion time as an estimate rather than a guaranteed state processing period.

Post-License Education

New Illinois brokers must complete 45 hours of post-license education during the initial licensing period. The required education consists of three 15-hour courses addressing:

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

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

The post-license education must generally be completed before the first renewal deadline. A special timing rule applies when the initial broker license is issued within 180 days before the next broker renewal deadline; in that situation, the deadline may extend to the second renewal deadline.

The 45-hour post-license requirement is not simply optional continuing education. New brokers should track the deadline carefully and retain completion records.

Continuing Education for Illinois Brokers

After the initial post-license period, Illinois brokers generally must complete 12 hours of approved continuing education during each license term. New brokers who complete the required 45-hour post-license education during their first license term do not need to complete additional continuing education for that same term.

Continuing education requirements, renewal dates, exemptions, and course formats can vary by license status and rule changes. Before renewing, confirm the current requirements with IDFPR and use approved courses that match the applicable license term.

Potential Earnings in Burbank

Real estate income is highly variable. A broker’s earnings may depend on transaction volume, commission agreements, brokerage fees, market conditions, client referrals, specialization, experience, and the amount of time spent prospecting and serving clients.

New agents should also plan for periods with little or no commission income. Expenses may continue even when transactions do not close, including transportation, marketing, technology, licensing, association, and professional-service costs.

Public salary estimates should be treated cautiously because many real estate professionals are paid through commissions rather than a fixed salary, and national or metropolitan estimates may not represent Burbank specifically. The most useful local comparison is often a written explanation of the brokerage’s commission plan, fees, support, and typical business expenses rather than a single advertised income figure.

Career Opportunities for Licensed Brokers

An Illinois broker license can support several real estate career paths, depending on experience, training, and brokerage structure:

• Residential buyer representation
• Residential listing and sales
• Rental and leasing services
• Relocation services
• New-construction sales
• Commercial real estate
• Investment-property transactions
• Property management-related work, where separately permitted
• Real estate teams and referral businesses
• Future advancement toward managing broker licensure

A managing broker license is a later-stage credential. IDFPR lists a minimum age of 20, at least two years licensed as a real estate broker during the preceding three years, additional education, and a separate examination among the managing broker requirements.

A Practical Burbank Launch Plan

For someone entering the profession in Burbank, a practical plan is:

• Confirm the current IDFPR broker requirements.
• Enroll in an approved Illinois 75-hour course.
• Use Illinois-focused practice tests and law materials.
• Complete fingerprinting according to current instructions.
• Apply and schedule the state and national exam.
• Interview several sponsoring brokerages before choosing one.
• Build a budget that includes both licensing and ongoing business expenses.
• Create a plan for local networking, referrals, open houses, and follow-up.
• Complete the 45-hour post-license education before the required deadline.
• Track future renewal and continuing-education obligations.

Local knowledge can help with client service, but an applicant should avoid representing an area, property type, or transaction category beyond the applicant’s training and brokerage supervision.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No college degree is identified as a basic Illinois broker requirement. The state’s listed minimum education requirement is a high school diploma or GED.

Can I complete the Illinois pre-license course online?

Illinois permits approved education through online distance education and live interactive webinar formats, subject to the applicable curriculum and provider requirements. Confirm the provider’s current approval before enrolling.

Do I need a sponsoring broker before taking the exam?

The licensing process includes both examination and sponsorship requirements. Because the exact timing can depend on the current IDFPR application procedure, follow the Department’s current instructions and discuss sponsorship with brokerages before completing the final licensing steps.

How much does an Illinois real estate license cost?

There is no single universal total. Education, examination, fingerprinting, application, and brokerage expenses may be charged separately, and fees can change. Check the current IDFPR fee schedule and each provider’s pricing.

What happens after I pass the exam?

Passing both exam portions is only one part of the process. You must complete the remaining IDFPR licensing steps and practice through a sponsoring broker before conducting licensed real estate activity.

When must I complete post-license education?

New Illinois brokers generally must complete 45 hours of post-license education before the first renewal deadline, subject to the state’s special rule for licenses issued shortly before that deadline.

Is real estate a salaried career?

Many real estate brokers earn income primarily through commissions, although compensation arrangements differ by brokerage and role. Income is not guaranteed and may vary substantially from one year to another.

Authoritative Sources

• Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation — Real Estate Brokerage
• IDFPR Professional Requirements for Licensure
• Illinois Compiled Statutes — Real Estate License Act, Section 5-50
• Illinois Administrative Code — Broker Post-License Education
• Illinois Administrative Code — Broker Continuing Education
• Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation — Division of Real Estate
• Illinois broker pre-license course information