How to Get Your Real Estate License in Girard, Illinois

If you are considering a real estate career in Girard, Illinois, an approved Illinois pre-licensing course can help you complete the required education and prepare for the state licensing exam. The process is administered statewide, so Girard residents follow Illinois requirements rather than a separate city licensing system.

Illinois Real Estate License Requirements

Most people entering residential or commercial real estate in Illinois apply for a real estate broker license. Illinois generally requires applicants to meet these basic conditions:

Be at least 18 years old.
Have a high school diploma or GED.
Complete 75 hours of approved broker pre-license education.
Pass the Illinois real estate licensing examination.
Complete the required application and background-check process.
Obtain sponsorship from an Illinois sponsoring broker before practicing.

A broker license allows a licensee to perform real estate activities under the supervision of a sponsoring broker. It is different from an Illinois managing broker license, which has additional experience and education requirements.

Complete the 75-Hour Pre-License Education

The Illinois broker pre-license curriculum requires 75 hours of approved education. The coursework is designed to introduce future licensees to topics such as:

Real estate principles and practices
Illinois real estate law
Agency relationships
Contracts
Property management
Financing
Fair housing
License law and professional responsibilities
Real estate calculations and transactions

Choose a school and course that are approved for Illinois broker pre-license education. Before enrolling, verify that the provider’s curriculum is currently approved and that its completion certificate will be accepted for the Illinois licensing application.

Online Real Estate Courses for Girard Residents

Girard residents do not necessarily need to attend classes in a large city or travel to a physical school. Illinois permits approved real estate education through online distance education, although course providers may impose attendance, identity-verification, progress-tracking, testing, or other completion rules.

An online course may be useful if you:

Work full-time
Need a flexible study schedule
Live outside a major metro area
Prefer to review lessons more than once
Want to study from home in Girard

Before purchasing an online program, confirm that it is approved for the Illinois 75-hour broker pre-license requirement. Also check whether the course includes exam preparation, instructor support, practice questions, and clear instructions for obtaining proof of completion. An Illinois-approved pre-licensing program can help organize the education portion of the process, but completing a course does not itself issue a license.

Apply for the Illinois Real Estate Exam

After completing the required education, applicants generally register for the Illinois broker licensing examination through the state’s authorized examination vendor and follow the current candidate-application instructions.

The exam includes state and national portions, and applicants must pass the required examination components before moving forward with licensure. Candidates should review the current examination handbook for:

Registration procedures
Identification requirements
Testing locations
Permitted and prohibited items
Rescheduling rules
Retake procedures
Score reporting

Testing availability can vary by location. A Girard applicant may need to select a testing center in another nearby community if an examination appointment is not available locally.

Background Check and Fingerprinting

Illinois real estate applicants must complete the required criminal-history background-check process, which generally involves submitting fingerprints through an authorized vendor. Fingerprinting procedures, approved locations, identification requirements, and processing timelines can change, so applicants should use the current instructions issued by IDFPR and the examination or application vendor.

A criminal record does not automatically mean an application will be denied. However, applicants should answer all disclosure questions accurately and provide any explanations or documentation requested by the Department. Omissions or inaccurate answers can create additional licensing problems.

Submit the License Application

After satisfying the education and examination requirements, submit the Illinois broker license application according to the current IDFPR instructions. The application process may require documentation such as:

Proof of education completion
Examination results
Background-check or fingerprinting information
Personal identification
Required disclosures
Sponsoring-broker information
The applicable application fee

Application forms, procedures, and fees may be revised. Confirm the current requirements on the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation real estate webpage before filing.

Find a Sponsoring Broker

A newly licensed Illinois broker generally must be sponsored by a sponsoring broker before conducting licensed real estate activities. Sponsorship connects the new broker with a real estate company or managing broker responsible for supervision and compliance.

When comparing brokerages serving Girard and the surrounding area, consider:

Commission structure and transaction fees
Training for new agents
Mentorship and supervision
Desk, technology, and marketing fees
Lead-generation support
Office and showing procedures
Availability of local or regional transaction support
Whether the brokerage handles primarily residential, commercial, land, or investment property

Do not choose a brokerage solely because of a high advertised commission split. A lower split with strong training and consistent support may be more useful during the first year.

Illinois Real Estate Licensing Costs

The total cost of becoming a real estate broker varies. Common expenses include:

Pre-license education
Study materials or exam preparation
Examination fees
Fingerprinting and background-check fees
License application fees
Possible transportation costs to a testing center
Business, marketing, technology, or association expenses after joining a brokerage

Because fees can change and education providers set their own prices, there is no single total cost that applies to every Girard applicant. Review the current IDFPR fee schedule and examination instructions, then request a complete price breakdown from the education provider and prospective sponsoring broker.

How Long Does It Take?

The timeline depends on how quickly you complete the 75-hour course, schedule the exam, obtain fingerprints, submit a complete application, and secure sponsorship. Some applicants study on a full-time schedule, while others complete the education over several weeks or months.

Potential delays include:

Waiting for an examination appointment
Needing to retake an exam portion
Incomplete application information
Background-check processing
Missing documentation
Delays in finding a sponsoring broker

A realistic plan is to budget enough time for the education, exam, application, and brokerage-selection stages rather than assuming the license will be issued on a fixed schedule.

Post-License Education

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

Each course requires its own 50-question final examination administered by the education provider. The education must generally be completed before the first renewal deadline. If the initial license is issued within 180 days of that deadline, special timing rules may allow completion by the second renewal deadline.

The 45-hour post-license requirement replaces the ordinary continuing-education requirement for the initial license term in the circumstances described by Illinois law.

Continuing Education After the First Renewal

After the initial post-license period, Illinois brokers generally must complete 12 hours of approved continuing education during each license term. The curriculum includes required core content, including fair-housing training, and approved elective education.

Continuing education helps licensees remain current on:

Illinois license law
Agency and disclosure duties
Fair housing
Contracts and transactions
Risk management
Ethics and professional practice
Changes affecting real estate consumers

The exact renewal schedule and course requirements should be checked with IDFPR because renewal rules and course requirements can be updated.

Potential Earnings in Girard

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

Number and value of closed transactions
Commission agreements
Brokerage splits and fees
Part-time or full-time work
Local housing demand
Referral and repeat business
Specialization in residential, land, commercial, or investment property
Marketing and operating expenses

There is no reliable basis for promising a specific salary for a new agent in Girard. National, state, and online compensation figures may not reflect a small-market agent’s actual income, and gross commissions are not the same as take-home pay.

New agents should plan for an uneven first year, maintain adequate savings, and understand that commissions may not be paid until a transaction closes. A written review of brokerage fees, commission policies, and independent-contractor expenses can help set realistic expectations.

Career Opportunities for Illinois Brokers

A Girard-area real estate license can support several career directions, including:

Residential sales
Buyer representation
Listing and marketing properties
Land and farm-property transactions
New-construction sales
Commercial real estate
Leasing and property-related services
Real estate investment support
Relocation referrals
Property management-related work, subject to applicable laws and brokerage policies

A broker who gains experience may later pursue an Illinois managing broker license. The managing broker pathway requires additional eligibility, including minimum age, prior broker experience, and additional education.

Practical Steps for Girard Applicants

A straightforward plan is:

Confirm that you meet the age and education requirements.
Enroll in an approved 75-hour Illinois broker pre-license course.
Complete the coursework and retain proof of completion.
Register for and pass the state and national examination portions.
Complete fingerprinting and the required background-check process.
Submit the Illinois broker license application and applicable fee.
Interview prospective sponsoring brokerages serving Girard and nearby communities.
Complete the required 45-hour post-license education.
Maintain the license through continuing education and timely renewal.

FAQ

Do I need to live in Girard to get an Illinois real estate license?

No. Illinois issues the license at the state level. A Girard resident must meet Illinois requirements, regardless of the city where the applicant intends to work.

Can I complete the Illinois pre-license course online?

Approved education providers may offer online distance education. Confirm that the specific course is approved for the Illinois 75-hour broker curriculum and review the provider’s completion and testing rules.

How many hours of education are required before the exam?

The Illinois broker pre-license requirement is 75 hours.

Do I need a sponsoring broker?

Yes, a new broker generally must be sponsored by an Illinois sponsoring broker to practice real estate.

Is fingerprinting required?

Applicants should expect to complete the state-required background-check and fingerprinting process and should follow the current instructions from IDFPR and the authorized vendor.

What happens after I pass the exam?

Passing the exam is only one part of the process. You must complete the application, background-check requirements, and other IDFPR steps, then obtain sponsorship before practicing.

How much money can a new real estate agent make?

Income varies widely and cannot be predicted reliably for an individual Girard agent. Commission splits, transaction volume, expenses, experience, and local conditions all affect take-home earnings.

What education is required after getting the license?

New Illinois brokers generally must complete 45 hours of post-license education before the applicable first renewal deadline. Later renewals generally require 12 hours of approved continuing education per license term.

Authoritative Sources