How to Get Your Real Estate License in Highland, Illinois

If you are considering a real estate career in Highland, Illinois, an approved online pre-licensing course can help you complete the required education while studying around work or other commitments. Review the Illinois pre-licensing course before enrolling to confirm that the provider and curriculum meet current Illinois requirements.

Highland is a city in Madison County, and anyone who wants to represent buyers or sellers there must meet Illinois licensing requirements. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, or IDFPR, regulates real estate broker licensing statewide, so the core process is the same in Highland as elsewhere in Illinois.

Illinois Real Estate License Requirements

The entry-level Illinois license is generally a real estate broker license. According to IDFPR’s professional requirements, applicants must generally:

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 process through IDFPR.
Obtain sponsorship from an Illinois sponsoring broker before practicing with an active license.

Applicants with unusual education, legal, or licensing backgrounds may have different requirements or exemptions. Confirm eligibility with IDFPR before paying for a course or scheduling an examination.

Complete the Required 75 Hours of Education

Illinois requires 75 hours of approved pre-license education for a standard broker applicant. The coursework is intended to prepare students for both the national real estate concepts tested on the examination and Illinois-specific laws and practices.

Course topics commonly include:

Real estate principles and practices
License law and regulation
Agency relationships
Contracts
Real estate finance
Property ownership and transfer
Fair housing
Professional responsibilities
Illinois brokerage requirements

Choose a school from the list of education providers approved by IDFPR. Completing a course that is not approved may not satisfy the licensing requirement.

Online Illinois Pre-Licensing Course Options

Online education may be a practical option for Highland residents who prefer flexible scheduling. Depending on the provider, an online program may include self-paced lessons, progress tracking, quizzes, exam preparation, and access to instructors.

Before enrolling, verify:

The school is approved for Illinois real estate education.
The course provides the full 75 hours required for the broker license.
The delivery method satisfies Illinois attendance and testing rules.
The provider explains how course completion is reported or documented.
The tuition, books, exam preparation, and other services included in the price are clearly stated.

An online course does not eliminate the state examination, application, background review, or sponsoring-broker requirement. It simply changes how the education is delivered.

Apply for the Illinois Real Estate Broker License

After completing the required education, you can move forward with the examination and licensing application. IDFPR’s online licensing instructions identify a $125 broker application fee; fees can change, so verify the amount in the current application instructions before submitting payment.

The general application process is:

Confirm that you meet the age and education requirements.
Complete the 75-hour approved pre-license course.
Register for and pass the Illinois real estate broker examination.
Complete any required background check and fingerprinting.
Submit the license application, supporting documentation, and required fee to IDFPR.
Provide sponsorship information from an eligible Illinois sponsoring broker.
Monitor the application until IDFPR issues the license.

The application may require information about previous licenses, criminal history, education, and other professional matters. Answer all questions accurately and disclose information when the application requires it. A prior criminal record does not automatically mean an applicant cannot become licensed, but it can lead to additional review.

Background Check and Fingerprinting

Applicants should expect a background review as part of the Illinois licensing process. Fingerprinting, when required for the application or a particular applicant, must generally be completed through an approved vendor and submitted in the format IDFPR accepts.

Fingerprinting costs and procedures can vary by vendor. Before visiting a fingerprinting location:

Check IDFPR’s current fingerprint instructions.
Confirm that the vendor is approved for Illinois real estate applicants.
Bring the identification and application information the vendor requests.
Keep the receipt or transaction documentation.
Ask how the results will be transmitted to IDFPR.

Applicants with a criminal history should avoid assuming that fingerprint submission alone resolves the issue. IDFPR may request additional documentation or an explanation before making a licensing decision.

Pass the Illinois Real Estate Licensing Exam

The Illinois broker examination includes state and national content. IDFPR’s licensing instructions identify the examination vendor and state that examination results are transmitted to the Division of Real Estate by the testing vendor.

Prepare for both parts of the exam. A strong study plan can include:

Reviewing the course material more than once.
Taking practice questions under timed conditions.
Studying Illinois license law separately from national topics.
Learning real estate calculations, contracts, agency, finance, and property ownership.
Scheduling the examination only after consistently performing well on practice tests.

If you do not pass, follow the examination vendor’s current retake rules. Additional examination attempts may involve another fee and may require a waiting period, so check the current candidate handbook before rescheduling.

Illinois Real Estate License Costs

The total cost of becoming a broker varies. At a minimum, budget for several separate expenses:

Tuition for the approved 75-hour course
Textbooks or digital materials, if not included
Examination registration and testing fees
Fingerprinting and background-check costs, if applicable
The IDFPR broker application fee
Optional exam-preparation materials
Business, association, marketing, transportation, and technology expenses after licensing

The official IDFPR instructions list the broker application fee as $125. Course prices, examination fees, fingerprinting charges, and brokerage expenses can change or vary, so obtain current prices directly from the relevant provider.

How Long Does It Take?

There is no single guaranteed timeline for becoming licensed in Highland. The education portion may take more or less time depending on whether you study full-time, attend scheduled classes, or use a self-paced online format.

Your overall timeline depends on:

How quickly you complete the 75-hour course
Examination appointment availability
Whether you pass on the first attempt
The time required for fingerprinting and background review
How quickly you find a sponsoring broker
IDFPR processing times
Whether your application needs additional documentation

A realistic plan is to treat licensing as a multi-step process rather than assuming it can be completed by a specific date. Confirm current processing estimates with IDFPR and the examination provider.

Find a Sponsoring Broker

Passing the exam does not mean you can immediately operate independently. A new Illinois broker generally must be sponsored by an active Illinois sponsoring broker to practice with an active license.

A sponsoring brokerage can provide:

Supervision and transaction oversight
Training on contracts, disclosures, and brokerage procedures
Access to listing and transaction systems
Guidance on Illinois rules and professional standards
Marketing and administrative support
Opportunities to work with buyers, sellers, landlords, or investors

When comparing brokerages in or around Highland, ask about:

Commission splits and transaction fees
Desk, technology, and marketing charges
Training and mentorship
Lead distribution
Office and remote-work expectations
Contract review and supervision
Insurance and compliance procedures
Whether the brokerage serves the types of clients and properties you want to work with

Compensation structures differ substantially. A higher commission split may come with fewer leads or more expenses, while a lower split may include training and support. Review the independent-contractor agreement carefully and consider obtaining professional advice before signing.

Complete Post-License Education

Illinois requires new brokers to complete 45 hours of post-license education during the first renewal period. This is separate from the initial 75-hour pre-license course.

Post-license education helps new agents develop practical knowledge after entering the profession. Topics may include transaction procedures, risk management, brokerage operations, license law, and professional responsibilities.

Do not wait until the renewal deadline to begin. Confirm the applicable deadline, approved course options, and completion-reporting procedures with IDFPR and your education provider.

Continuing Education and License Renewal

After the first renewal period, Illinois brokers must complete continuing education for each renewal cycle. IDFPR identifies a 6-hour core continuing-education curriculum and separate broker-management education for applicable licensees.

Continuing-education requirements can vary according to license type, renewal period, and changes in Illinois law. Before renewing:

Check the current IDFPR renewal instructions.
Use an approved continuing-education provider.
Complete all required courses before the deadline.
Save certificates and completion records.
Confirm that the provider reported completion correctly.

A licensee who misses a required education deadline may face additional requirements, penalties, or an inability to renew on time.

Potential Earnings for Highland Real Estate Agents

Real estate income is not guaranteed and often varies much more than a conventional hourly or salaried job. Earnings may depend on:

The number and value of completed transactions
Commission arrangements
Brokerage splits and transaction fees
Local housing inventory and market conditions
Prospecting and referral activity
Experience and specialization
Whether the agent works full-time or part-time
Business and marketing expenses

Public wage data may combine real estate sales agents and related occupations or may not reflect commission-only income accurately. For that reason, a statewide or national wage figure should not be treated as a guaranteed salary for a Highland agent.

New agents should create a financial plan that accounts for irregular income, taxes, licensing costs, transportation, marketing, association dues, insurance, and technology. Maintaining another source of income during the early stage may be prudent for individuals without substantial savings.

Career Opportunities in and Around Highland

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

Residential buyer representation
Residential listing sales
Relocation assistance
New-construction sales
Commercial real estate
Land and farm transactions
Leasing and property rentals
Investment-property transactions
Property management, where separately permitted and properly structured
Referral-based real estate work
Long-term advancement toward managing broker licensing

Local relevance does not require choosing a brokerage located inside Highland. Agents may serve clients across Madison County and nearby communities, subject to Illinois law, brokerage policies, competence, and any local or association requirements.

The best initial specialty usually depends on your background, professional network, schedule, and access to training. A new agent can begin broadly and narrow the focus after gaining experience.

A Practical Checklist

Use this checklist to organize the process:

Confirm that you meet Illinois age and education requirements.
Select an IDFPR-approved 75-hour pre-license course.
Complete the course and retain proof of completion.
Review the examination candidate information.
Schedule and pass the state and national examination portions.
Complete fingerprinting or other background-check steps as required.
Submit the broker application and current fee.
Interview prospective sponsoring brokerages.
Obtain sponsorship for an active license.
Complete the required 45-hour post-license education during the first renewal period.
Track continuing-education and renewal deadlines.
Build a budget for start-up and ongoing business expenses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Highland residents take the Illinois real estate course online?

Yes, online education may be available through approved Illinois providers. Confirm that the specific course satisfies IDFPR’s current 75-hour broker education requirement before enrolling.

Is a college degree required?

No. The standard requirements identify a high school diploma or GED rather than a college degree.

How old must I be to become an Illinois real estate broker?

The standard minimum age listed by IDFPR is 18. Applicants should confirm their eligibility under the current application instructions, particularly if they are relying on an exception or special qualification.

Can I work independently after passing the exam?

Generally, no. A new broker must be sponsored by an active Illinois sponsoring broker to practice with an active license.

How much does an Illinois real estate license cost?

The IDFPR online licensing instructions list a $125 broker application fee. Education, examination, fingerprinting, and business costs are additional and may vary.

Do new brokers need more education after licensing?

Yes. Illinois requires 45 hours of post-license education during the first renewal period, followed by continuing-education requirements for later renewals.

Can a criminal record prevent licensure?

A criminal record can lead to additional review, but it does not automatically answer the licensing question in every case. Applicants should disclose information accurately and contact IDFPR if they need guidance about their circumstances.

Authoritative Sources