How to Get Your Real Estate License in Fairview Heights, Illinois

If you want to become a real estate agent in Fairview Heights, Illinois, the first step is completing an approved Illinois broker pre-licensing course. A structured Illinois pre-licensing course can help you meet the state’s education requirement, prepare for the licensing exam, and understand the application process before you begin working with buyers and sellers.

Illinois real estate agents are licensed as real estate brokers. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, or IDFPR, oversees real estate brokerage licensing throughout the state, including Fairview Heights.

Illinois Real Estate Broker Requirements

To qualify for an Illinois real estate broker license, applicants generally must:

Be at least 18 years old.
Have a high school diploma or GED.
Complete the required approved pre-license education.
Pass the Illinois real estate licensing examination.
Complete the required application.
Submit to a criminal background check and fingerprinting when required.
Obtain sponsorship from an Illinois sponsoring broker before practicing with an active license.

IDFPR’s current professional requirements document lists a minimum age of 18, a high school diploma or GED, 75 hours of pre-license education, passage of the state and national examination, and sponsorship by a sponsoring broker.

Applicants should review the current IDFPR application instructions before enrolling or submitting an application because requirements, forms, fees, and testing procedures can change.

How Many Education Hours Are Required?

The current IDFPR professional requirements document identifies 75 hours of pre-license education for an Illinois real estate broker license.

The education must be completed through an approved Illinois real estate education provider. A qualifying program generally covers subjects such as:

Real estate principles
Illinois license law
Agency relationships
Contracts
Fair housing
Property ownership
Financing
Real estate practice
Ethics and professional responsibilities

Course providers may divide the required hours into multiple classes or learning modules. Before enrolling, confirm that the provider and course are approved for Illinois broker pre-license education.

Some IDFPR documents may display older or different education-hour information, so applicants should rely on the most current broker licensing instructions and confirm any discrepancy directly with IDFPR.

Online Real Estate Courses for Fairview Heights Residents

Illinois allows prospective agents to complete approved real estate education through online options, provided the course and delivery method satisfy IDFPR requirements.

Online study may be useful for Fairview Heights residents because it can allow you to:

Study from home or another convenient location.
Review course material on a flexible schedule.
Avoid regular travel to an in-person classroom.
Progress through lessons at a pace that fits work or family obligations.
Prepare for the national and Illinois portions of the licensing exam.

Before purchasing an online course, verify that it is approved for Illinois broker pre-license education and that it includes the required coursework, assessments, attendance controls, and completion documentation. Completion records are typically needed when applying for the examination or license.

A course such as the Illinois real estate pre-licensing program may provide a convenient starting point, but applicants should independently confirm current approval status and course details before enrolling.

Step-by-Step Licensing Process

1. Complete an Approved Pre-License Course

Enroll in an IDFPR-approved broker pre-license program and complete the required education hours. Keep your completion certificate or transcript because the licensing process may require evidence that the education requirement has been met.

2. Prepare for the Illinois Licensing Exam

Illinois broker applicants must pass both the state and national portions of the real estate examination.

The exam tests knowledge of real estate principles and practices, as well as Illinois-specific laws and regulations. Study materials may include:

Course textbooks and quizzes
Practice examinations
Illinois license-law summaries
National real estate exam preparation
Review of contracts, agency, finance, and property topics

Read the current examination candidate materials carefully before scheduling. Testing vendors, registration procedures, identification rules, and retake policies may change.

3. Complete the Application

After satisfying the education and examination requirements, submit the Illinois broker license application through the process specified by IDFPR.

The application may require:

Personal identifying information
Social Security number or tax identification information
Education documentation
Examination results
Sponsoring broker information
Disclosure of criminal history or professional discipline
Application fee
Supporting documents requested by IDFPR

IDFPR states that examination results are transmitted to the Division of Real Estate by the testing vendor for online broker applications.

4. Complete Fingerprinting and the Background Check

Applicants may need to complete a criminal background check and submit fingerprints through an approved process. Fingerprinting requirements can depend on the application instructions and the applicant’s circumstances.

Do not assume that a prior background check, employment screening, or fingerprint submission will satisfy the licensing requirement. Follow the current IDFPR instructions and use an approved fingerprint vendor if one is required.

A criminal record does not automatically mean an applicant cannot obtain a license. However, applicants should disclose information accurately and provide any explanations or court documents requested by IDFPR. Omitting or misrepresenting information can create additional licensing problems.

5. Obtain Sponsorship From a Broker

A new Illinois real estate broker generally needs sponsorship from an actively licensed Illinois sponsoring broker to practice with an active license.

The sponsoring broker is typically the managing professional responsible for supervising the brokerage activities of affiliated brokers. When comparing brokerages serving Fairview Heights and the surrounding St. Louis metro area, consider:

Training for new agents
Commission structure
Transaction and technology fees
Desk or monthly fees
Mentoring and supervision
Lead-generation support
Marketing resources
Brokerage culture
Procedures for compliance and transaction review

Do not choose a sponsoring broker solely on the commission split. A lower-cost or higher-support arrangement may be more valuable during the first year, particularly while developing clients and learning Illinois transaction procedures.

Illinois Real Estate License Costs

The total cost of becoming a broker includes more than the state license fee. Typical expenses may include:

Pre-license education
Textbooks or course materials
Examination fee
Fingerprinting and background-check fee, if applicable
Initial license application fee
Transportation or technology costs
Association or multiple-listing-service expenses, if applicable
Brokerage fees
Marketing and business expenses

IDFPR’s licensing and education brochure lists an initial real estate broker license fee of $150. However, another IDFPR online broker instruction document lists a $125 application fee. Because official documents can be updated at different times or apply to different application procedures, confirm the current fee shown in the applicable IDFPR application before submitting payment.

Fees may be nonrefundable. Budget for the full licensing process rather than relying only on the state application fee.

How Long Does It Take?

The timeline depends on several factors:

How quickly you complete the pre-license course
When examination appointments are available
Whether you pass the exam on the first attempt
How promptly fingerprints and background materials are processed
Whether the application is complete
How quickly you select a sponsoring broker
Whether IDFPR requests additional documentation

A motivated student may complete the education requirement relatively quickly, while someone studying part time may take longer. No fixed timeline should be assumed because testing, background review, application processing, and brokerage selection can vary.

Post-License Education

Illinois requires a new real estate broker to complete 45 hours of post-license education during the first renewal period.

This requirement is separate from the initial pre-license course. The post-license curriculum is intended to help new brokers transition from exam preparation to actual real estate practice.

Plan for the post-license requirement early. Waiting until the renewal deadline can make it difficult to find an appropriate approved course and complete all assignments on time.

Continuing Education After the First Renewal

After the initial post-license period, Illinois brokers must complete continuing education for each renewal period.

Illinois law has also included continuing education requirements for broker license renewals, including a six-hour broker management continuing education course in applicable renewal periods. The exact course mix, deadline, and renewal schedule can change, so licensees should check the current IDFPR renewal instructions and approved-course information.

Continuing education may cover topics such as:

Illinois license law
Fair housing
Agency and fiduciary duties
Ethics
Risk management
Contracts
Brokerage operations
Recent legal or regulatory developments

Maintain completion records and confirm that every course is approved for the correct license and renewal period.

Potential Earnings for Fairview Heights Real Estate Agents

Real estate income is not guaranteed and can vary substantially. Many agents are paid through commissions tied to completed transactions rather than a fixed salary. Income may depend on:

Number of closed transactions
Property prices
Commission arrangements
Brokerage splits and fees
Referral activity
Repeat and past-client business
Lead generation
Market conditions
Business expenses
Whether the agent works full time or part time

New agents may have limited income while building a client base and learning the business. They should maintain savings or another source of income during the early stages.

Public wage data may not fully represent an individual real estate agent’s commission income, especially when agents are self-employed or work under independent-contractor arrangements. Treat online salary estimates as general reference points rather than guaranteed local earnings.

Career Opportunities in and Around Fairview Heights

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

Residential buyer representation
Residential listing services
Relocation assistance
New-construction sales
Leasing and rental transactions
Commercial real estate
Property investment sales
Land transactions
Referral-based real estate services
Property management-related work, subject to applicable laws and licensing rules

Fairview Heights agents may choose to focus on the local community, nearby municipalities, or a broader Southwestern Illinois service area. A local business strategy may include learning neighborhood-level property characteristics, transportation patterns, schools, public services, housing types, and local market practices without making unsupported claims about current prices or sales activity.

Over time, an active broker may pursue additional responsibilities and eventually qualify for an Illinois managing broker license. IDFPR’s professional requirements document states that managing broker applicants generally need to be at least 20, hold a high school diploma or GED, and have been licensed as a broker for two consecutive years out of the preceding three years, along with additional education and examination requirements.

How to Choose a Sponsoring Brokerage

Before affiliating with a brokerage, ask each prospective sponsor:

What training is provided during the first 90 days?
Is there a formal mentor or managing broker available?
What is the commission split?
Are there transaction, technology, desk, or marketing fees?
Who pays for signs, photography, lockboxes, and advertising?
How are leads distributed?
Are there minimum production requirements?
What transaction-management systems are used?
How are compliance questions handled?
Can the brokerage support the type of real estate work you want to pursue?

Request a written explanation of fees and policies. The best fit depends on your experience, financial situation, preferred business model, and desired level of supervision.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Enrolling in a course that is not approved for Illinois broker licensing.
Relying on outdated education-hour or fee information.
Scheduling the exam without understanding the state and national components.
Failing to disclose criminal or disciplinary history accurately.
Assuming fingerprinting is optional when current instructions require it.
Choosing a brokerage without reviewing the fee structure.
Waiting until the last minute to complete post-license education.
Treating projected commission income as guaranteed salary.
Advertising real estate services before the license is active and properly sponsored.
Ignoring continuing education and renewal deadlines.

FAQ

Can I become a real estate agent at 18 in Illinois?

Yes. The current IDFPR professional requirements document lists 18 as the minimum age for an Illinois real estate broker license, along with a high school diploma or GED.

Do I need a college degree?

No college degree is listed as a general requirement for an Illinois real estate broker license. Applicants generally need a high school diploma or GED and the required approved education.

Can I take the Illinois real estate course online?

Online education may be available through approved providers. Confirm that the specific course and delivery method satisfy current IDFPR requirements before enrolling.

Do I need a sponsoring broker?

A new broker generally must be sponsored by an Illinois sponsoring broker to practice with an active license.

How much does an Illinois real estate license cost?

IDFPR materials list different broker application fees, including $150 in one current brochure and $125 in another online instruction document. Confirm the applicable fee in the current application before paying.

Is fingerprinting required?

Applicants should follow the current IDFPR background-check and fingerprinting instructions. Requirements and procedures can vary, so do not rely on an old fingerprint submission or another employer’s background check.

What happens after I receive my license?

You must practice in accordance with Illinois law under the appropriate sponsoring-broker arrangement, complete the required 45 hours of post-license education during the first renewal period, and satisfy continuing education requirements for later renewals.

Can I work part time?

A part-time real estate career is possible, but client service, availability, prospecting, training, transaction deadlines, and brokerage obligations still require consistent attention. Earnings are variable and are not guaranteed.

Final Checklist for Fairview Heights Applicants

Confirm the current IDFPR broker requirements.
Complete the required approved pre-license education.
Save your course completion records.
Register for and pass the state and national examination.
Follow current fingerprinting and background-check instructions.
Submit a complete application and the correct fee.
Select an Illinois sponsoring broker.
Complete the 45-hour post-license requirement during the first renewal period.
Track continuing education and license-renewal deadlines.
Build a realistic budget for education, brokerage, marketing, and business expenses.

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