How to Get Your Real Estate License in Des Plaines, Illinois

If you are considering a real estate career in Des Plaines, the first step is completing Illinois-approved pre-licensing education. An online Illinois pre-licensing course can provide a flexible way to complete the required coursework while balancing work, family, or other commitments. After education, applicants must pass the state licensing examination, complete the application process, satisfy fingerprinting and background-check requirements, and affiliate with an Illinois sponsoring broker.

Illinois Real Estate License Requirements

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

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, including the state and national portions.
Complete the application and licensing process through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, or IDFPR.
Obtain sponsorship from an Illinois sponsoring broker before practicing real estate.

These are statewide requirements, so a Des Plaines applicant follows the same rules as an applicant elsewhere in Illinois.

Complete the Required 75 Hours of Education

Illinois requires 75 hours of broker pre-license education. The curriculum includes:

60 hours of broker pre-license topics.
15 hours of applied real estate principles, which must involve interactive instruction or an approved equivalent format.

The coursework typically covers subjects such as:

Illinois real estate law.
Agency relationships.
Contracts.
Property ownership and interests.
Financing.
Leasing.
Fair housing.
Real estate mathematics.
Professional conduct.
Brokerage operations and responsibilities.

Education must come from a provider and course approved by the Illinois Division of Real Estate. Before enrolling, confirm that the provider is currently authorized to offer the required Illinois broker curriculum.

Online Real Estate Courses for Des Plaines Residents

Online education can be a practical option for people in Des Plaines who prefer studying at home rather than attending a traditional classroom. Depending on the provider and course approval, students may be able to complete coursework through online distance education or live, interactive webinar instruction.

Before choosing a course, check:

Whether the provider is approved by IDFPR.
Whether the course includes the complete 75-hour curriculum.
Which portions require live or interactive participation.
How attendance, identity verification, and final exams are handled.
Whether course access is self-paced, instructor-led, or limited to a specific enrollment period.
Whether the provider offers technical support and exam preparation.

Completing an online course does not eliminate the licensing examination, application, fingerprinting, or sponsoring-broker requirements. It only changes how the required education is delivered.

Apply for the Illinois Broker Examination

After completing the required education, the next step is to apply for and schedule the Illinois broker licensing examination through the examination vendor designated by IDFPR.

The examination includes both:

A national portion covering general real estate principles and practices.
An Illinois portion covering state-specific laws, rules, and procedures.

Candidates should review the current examination candidate handbook and application instructions before scheduling. Testing procedures, identification rules, retake policies, and examination charges can change, so applicants should rely on the current official instructions rather than older course materials.

How to Prepare for the Exam

A practical study plan may include:

Finish all 75 hours and retain the course completion documentation.
Review Illinois-specific license law and agency rules.
Practice real estate calculations.
Use realistic practice questions covering both national and Illinois topics.
Schedule the examination only after consistently meeting a passing score on practice tests.
Review the retake rules if the examination is not passed on the first attempt.

Passing the course final examination and passing the state licensing examination are separate steps. Completing the education requirement does not guarantee a passing score on the licensing test.

Background Check and Fingerprinting

Applicants should expect a criminal-history review as part of the Illinois licensing process. Fingerprints may be required through an IDFPR-approved process or vendor, depending on the application instructions in effect when the application is submitted.

Applicants should:

Follow the current fingerprinting instructions provided by IDFPR.
Use an authorized fingerprint vendor or method.
Keep the receipt or tracking information.
Disclose information accurately when asked on the application.
Avoid assuming that an old fingerprint submission will satisfy a new application.

A criminal record does not automatically mean an applicant cannot become licensed, but the department may review criminal history and other issues when determining eligibility. Because individual circumstances differ, anyone with a prior conviction or licensing problem should obtain professional advice and provide complete, truthful information.

Submit the License Application

Once the education and examination requirements are complete, submit the Illinois broker license application using the current IDFPR process.

The application process generally involves:

Confirming eligibility.
Providing education and examination information.
Completing required disclosures.
Submitting fingerprinting and background-check information when required.
Paying the applicable state and examination charges.
Identifying or obtaining sponsorship from an Illinois sponsoring broker.
Responding promptly to any IDFPR request for additional documentation.

Application and examination fees are subject to change. Because the available official materials do not establish a single permanent fee amount for every applicant and transaction, verify the current charges directly through IDFPR and the examination provider before budgeting.

Find a Sponsoring Broker

An Illinois broker generally must be sponsored by a sponsoring broker before conducting licensed activities. The sponsoring broker supervises the licensee and provides the brokerage relationship needed to begin practicing.

When comparing brokerages serving Des Plaines and surrounding communities, ask about:

Commission splits and transaction fees.
Monthly desk, technology, or administrative fees.
Training for new brokers.
Mentorship and transaction supervision.
Lead-generation programs.
Marketing and advertising support.
Office, hybrid, and remote-work expectations.
Areas served, including residential, rental, commercial, or investment property.
Contract review and compliance procedures.
Insurance and risk-management practices.

The highest commission split is not necessarily the best choice for a new broker. Training, supervision, lead support, and predictable costs may matter more during the first year.

How Long Does It Take?

The timeline depends on several variables:

How quickly the applicant completes the 75-hour course.
Whether the course is self-paced or scheduled.
How soon an examination appointment is available.
Whether the applicant passes on the first attempt.
How quickly fingerprints, documentation, and application materials are processed.
How long it takes to select a sponsoring broker.
Whether IDFPR requests additional information.

A motivated student may complete the education relatively quickly, but no fixed timeline should be promised. Build extra time into the plan for examination retakes, fingerprinting appointments, application processing, and broker selection.

Typical Costs to Budget For

The total cost of becoming a broker includes more than the course tuition. Potential expenses include:

Pre-license education.
Course materials or technology fees.
State examination charges.
Fingerprinting and background-check charges.
The initial license application fee.
Brokerage onboarding or administrative fees.
Association or multiple-listing-service expenses, if applicable.
Marketing, transportation, professional clothing, and business technology.
Continuing and post-license education.

Course prices vary by provider, while state and examination charges can change. Confirm every current fee before enrolling or submitting an application. A brokerage may also deduct transaction, marketing, technology, or administrative charges from commissions, so request a written explanation of the compensation arrangement.

Post-License Education

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

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

Each course has its own final examination. The post-license education must be completed through an IDFPR-approved education provider.

The applicable deadline can depend on when the broker license was first issued. For example, IDFPR’s current renewal information distinguishes between licensees based on the date their first broker license was issued. Check the current IDFPR renewal guidance rather than relying on a general calendar date.

Continuing Education and Renewals

After the initial post-license period, Illinois brokers must complete continuing education for later renewal periods. The exact requirement depends on the license issue date and the renewal cycle.

IDFPR’s current materials identify different requirements for brokers based on when the license was first issued. They also state that education must be completed through an approved provider and that applicants must certify compliance when renewing.

Continuing education may include:

Core legal and regulatory topics.
Elective real estate subjects.
Sexual-harassment-prevention training where required.
Other courses specified for the applicable renewal period.

Track course certificates and renewal deadlines carefully. Failure to complete required education can delay renewal or create a licensing problem.

Potential Earnings as a Des Plaines Real Estate Agent

Real estate income is usually commission-based rather than a fixed salary. Earnings can vary substantially based on:

Number and value of completed transactions.
Commission agreements.
Brokerage splits and fees.
Lead sources.
Market conditions.
Experience and specialization.
Time devoted to prospecting and client service.
Whether the broker focuses on residential sales, rentals, commercial property, or investment transactions.

New brokers may have uneven income while developing a client base, and a transaction can take weeks or months to close. Budgeting for business expenses and maintaining another income source during the early stage may be prudent.

Public wage data can also be difficult to apply directly to individual agents because government wage surveys may classify real estate professionals differently and may not capture commission structure or self-employment. Treat online salary estimates as broad reference points, not guarantees. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics provides occupational information for real estate brokers and sales agents, but local results may differ from statewide or national figures.

Career Opportunities in and Around Des Plaines

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

Residential buyer representation.
Residential listing representation.
Rental and leasing services.
New-construction sales.
Relocation services.
Commercial real estate.
Industrial and office properties.
Property investment sales.
Property management-related roles, subject to applicable legal requirements.
Real estate team, brokerage, or transaction-coordination positions.

Des Plaines professionals may choose to build business through referrals, online marketing, community networking, repeat clients, open houses, geographic farming, or specialization in a particular property type. Local knowledge can help, but licensees must still follow Illinois agency, advertising, fair-housing, disclosure, and recordkeeping requirements.

A Practical Road Map

Use this sequence to organize the process:

Confirm that you meet the age and education requirements.
Enroll in an IDFPR-approved 75-hour broker pre-license course.
Complete the required education and course examination.
Review the current Illinois examination instructions.
Complete fingerprinting and background-check steps as directed.
Apply for and pass the state and national examination portions.
Submit the broker license application and required fees.
Select an Illinois sponsoring broker.
Complete the 45-hour post-license education during the applicable first renewal period.
Complete ongoing continuing education before each later renewal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone in Des Plaines take the Illinois course online?

Yes, online distance education and live, interactive webinar formats may be available through approved providers. Confirm the provider’s current IDFPR approval and any attendance or participation requirements before enrolling.

Is a college degree required?

No. The basic Illinois broker requirement identifies a high school diploma or GED, not a college degree.

How many hours of pre-license education are required?

Illinois requires 75 hours of approved broker pre-license education.

Do I need a sponsoring broker?

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

What happens after I pass the exam?

Passing the examination is only one part of the process. Complete the application, fingerprinting and background-check requirements, licensing steps, and sponsoring-broker affiliation required by IDFPR.

Can a criminal record prevent licensure?

It can affect the department’s review, but a criminal record does not automatically answer every applicant’s eligibility question. Disclose information accurately and seek qualified advice for a fact-specific situation.

How much will the license cost?

The total varies based on course tuition, examination charges, fingerprinting, state application fees, and business or brokerage expenses. Verify current charges with IDFPR, the examination provider, and the brokerage before committing funds.

Is real estate income guaranteed?

No. Real estate earnings depend on transactions, commissions, expenses, experience, and market conditions. New brokers should plan for irregular income while developing their business.

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