If you are considering a real estate career in Hillside, Illinois, an approved online pre-licensing course can help you complete the required education on a flexible schedule while preparing for the state exam. Illinois pre-licensing course options may be especially convenient for Hillside residents balancing work, family, or other commitments.

Illinois licenses real estate sales professionals as brokers rather than using the term “salesperson.” To become a broker, you must meet the state’s eligibility requirements, complete approved education, pass the licensing examination, submit an application, complete a background check, and work under an Illinois sponsoring broker.

Illinois Real Estate Broker Requirements

Before beginning the licensing process, confirm that you meet the basic Illinois requirements:

• You must be at least 18 years old.
• You must have a high school diploma or GED.
• You must complete the required pre-license education through an approved provider.
• You must pass the Illinois real estate broker licensing examination.
• You must satisfy the state’s criminal-history and fingerprinting requirements.
• You must obtain sponsorship from an Illinois sponsoring broker before practicing under an active broker license.

A criminal record does not automatically mean an applicant will be denied. However, applicants should disclose information accurately and follow IDFPR instructions. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, or IDFPR, evaluates licensing issues individually.

Complete 75 Hours of Approved Education

Illinois currently requires 75 hours of broker pre-license education before an applicant takes the licensing exam. The curriculum includes real estate principles, Illinois-specific license law, brokerage practices, and applied or situational learning.

The education must come from an approved Illinois real estate education provider. Course providers may offer the required instruction in different formats, including:

• Online distance education
• Live, interactive online classes
• Traditional classroom instruction
• Hybrid programs combining online and live learning

Not every real estate course qualifies for Illinois licensing. Before enrolling, verify that the school and course are approved by IDFPR and that the program satisfies the current broker curriculum.

Online Real Estate Classes in Hillside

Hillside residents do not necessarily need to attend a physical school in Hillside or travel to a downtown Chicago classroom. Approved online courses can allow students to study from home, provided the course meets Illinois requirements.

When comparing online programs, look for:

• IDFPR approval
• Clear confirmation that the course provides all 75 required hours
• Access to Illinois-specific study materials
• Practice questions and exam preparation
• Technical support
• A defined process for reporting course completion
• Transparent tuition and refund policies

Online convenience does not eliminate course obligations. Students may still need to complete attendance checks, quizzes, identity verification, final exams, or other provider requirements.

Apply for the Illinois Broker License

After completing the required education and passing the exam, submit the broker license application through the state’s licensing system or by following the current IDFPR application instructions.

The application process generally requires you to:

1. Create or access an IDFPR online services account.
2. Complete the Illinois real estate broker application.
3. Provide education and examination information.
4. Complete the required background-check and fingerprinting process.
5. Pay the applicable application fee.
6. Identify or obtain sponsorship from an Illinois sponsoring broker.
7. Respond promptly if IDFPR requests additional documents or explanations.

The online licensing instructions currently list a $125 application fee, while another IDFPR publication lists a different broker fee. Because fees can change and official materials may be updated at different times, confirm the amount shown in the current IDFPR application portal before submitting payment.

Application fees are generally nonrefundable. Separate expenses may include tuition, fingerprinting, examination attempts, preparation materials, and any payment-processing charges.

Background Check and Fingerprinting

Illinois real estate applicants must complete a criminal-history background check using the process specified by IDFPR. Fingerprints are typically collected through an authorized vendor or location approved for Illinois licensing applicants.

The exact procedure can change, so follow the current instructions from:

• IDFPR
• The testing or application vendor
• The approved fingerprinting provider

Do not assume that fingerprints submitted for another profession, employer, or state will automatically satisfy the Illinois real estate requirement. Keep any receipt or transaction number because it may be needed to document completion.

Pass the Illinois Real Estate Exam

The Illinois broker examination includes state and national real estate content. Applicants must successfully pass the examination administered through the state’s designated testing vendor.

Exam preparation should cover:

• Property ownership and land-use controls
• Contracts and agency
• Financing and settlement
• Real estate calculations
• Fair housing and consumer protection
• Illinois license law and administrative rules
• Brokerage relationships and licensee duties
• Illinois-specific advertising and transaction requirements

If you do not pass, review the current retesting rules and scheduling instructions before registering again. Examination fees, score requirements, waiting periods, and retake procedures can change, so confirm them with the current testing vendor rather than relying on an old study guide.

Find an Illinois Sponsoring Broker

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

A sponsoring broker may provide:

• Brokerage supervision
• Training and transaction guidance
• Access to listing and transaction systems
• Office or virtual-work resources
• Marketing support
• Compliance policies
• Opportunities to work with buyers, sellers, landlords, or tenants

When interviewing brokerages serving Hillside and the surrounding western Chicago suburbs, ask about:

• Commission splits and transaction fees
• Desk, technology, and administrative fees
• Training for new brokers
• Mentorship and supervision
• Lead-generation expectations
• Required office time
• Marketing rules
• Contract and compliance support
• Whether the brokerage specializes in residential, commercial, leasing, or investment transactions

Commission structures vary widely, and the highest advertised split may not provide the best overall support for a new broker.

Complete Post-License Education

New Illinois brokers must complete 45 hours of post-license education during the applicable initial renewal period. IDFPR’s curriculum describes three 15-hour courses addressing applied brokerage principles, risk management and discipline, and transactional issues.

The post-license requirement is different from ordinary continuing education. Confirm the deadline that applies to your license issuance date and complete the courses through an IDFPR-approved provider.

The 45-hour curriculum also includes required sexual-harassment-prevention content under the applicable Illinois education requirements.

Continuing Education After the First Renewal Period

After the initial post-license period, Illinois brokers must complete continuing education for each renewal period. The number and composition of required hours can depend on the license cycle and the date the broker license was first issued.

For example, IDFPR renewal guidance distinguishes between brokers who were first licensed during different periods and may require either post-license education or a specified continuing-education package.

Because Illinois renewal rules and course requirements can change:

• Check the current IDFPR renewal factsheet.
• Use an IDFPR-approved education provider.
• Confirm whether core, elective, and sexual-harassment-prevention requirements apply.
• Complete education before the renewal deadline.
• Keep course completion records.

Failing to complete required education can affect renewal or the ability to practice.

How Much Does It Cost to Become a Real Estate Broker in Illinois?

The total cost varies by provider, testing needs, fingerprinting arrangements, and application charges. A realistic budget should account for:

• Pre-license course tuition
• Textbooks or digital materials, if not included
• Exam registration and retake charges
• Fingerprinting and background-check costs
• The IDFPR application fee
• Optional exam-preparation products
• Brokerage-related startup expenses
• Continuing education and renewal costs

The state’s online broker instructions list a $125 application fee, but IDFPR publications have displayed different fee amounts. Verify the current fee directly in the application system before paying.

No single total cost should be treated as guaranteed because schools and vendors set some charges independently of IDFPR.

How Long Does Licensing Take?

The process may take several weeks or longer, depending on course completion, exam availability, fingerprint processing, application review, and the time required to secure a sponsoring broker.

The fastest route is usually to:

1. Select an approved education provider.
2. Complete the 75-hour course efficiently.
3. Schedule the exam as soon as you are eligible.
4. Submit fingerprints and application materials promptly.
5. Begin interviewing sponsoring brokerages before passing the exam.
6. Respond quickly to any IDFPR request for additional information.

Applicants with application complications, incomplete records, exam retakes, or criminal-history disclosures may need additional time.

Potential Earnings for Hillside Real Estate Brokers

Real estate income is not guaranteed. Many brokers are paid primarily through commissions, and earnings can vary based on transactions closed, commission agreements, market conditions, brokerage splits, business expenses, experience, specialization, and the amount of time devoted to the business.

New brokers may experience uneven income while building a client base. Expenses can include marketing, transportation, association or MLS access, insurance, technology, licensing renewals, and brokerage fees.

National and state compensation figures can be useful for broad career research, but they should not be treated as a prediction for an individual broker in Hillside. Public sources may also report employee wages rather than the net income of independent commission-based professionals. Before choosing real estate as a full-time career, create a personal budget that assumes income may be irregular during the first year.

Career Opportunities in and Around Hillside

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

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

Local relevance matters even without relying on unsupported market claims. A Hillside-area broker may build expertise in neighborhood amenities, transportation access, municipal procedures, property types, local businesses, and the needs of buyers and renters in the surrounding communities.

Brokers should avoid making claims about schools, taxes, zoning, property condition, commute times, or municipal services without verifying the information through an authoritative source.

Practical Steps for Future Hillside Brokers

Use this checklist to organize the process:

• Confirm that you are at least 18 and have a high school diploma or GED.
• Choose an IDFPR-approved 75-hour broker pre-license course.
• Complete all coursework and provider examinations.
• Schedule and pass the Illinois broker licensing exam.
• Complete fingerprinting and the background check.
• Submit the application and current fee.
• Select an Illinois sponsoring broker.
• Activate the license through the appropriate process.
• Complete the required 45-hour post-license education.
• Track continuing-education and renewal deadlines.
• Maintain accurate transaction and licensing records.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Hillside residents take the Illinois real estate course online?

Yes, an approved provider may offer Illinois broker education through online distance education or live, interactive online instruction. Confirm that the course satisfies the current 75-hour requirement and is approved by IDFPR.

Do I need a college degree?

No. Illinois requires a high school diploma or GED for the broker license; a college degree is not listed as a basic requirement.

Can I work as a broker immediately after passing the exam?

No. You must complete the licensing and sponsorship steps required by Illinois. A new broker generally practices under an Illinois sponsoring broker rather than independently.

How many education hours are required before the exam?

The current Illinois broker pre-license requirement is 75 hours through an approved education provider.

What happens after I receive my first broker license?

You must complete 45 hours of approved post-license education during the applicable initial renewal period. After that, you must meet the continuing-education requirements for each renewal cycle.

Is real estate a salaried job?

Often, real estate brokers earn income through commissions rather than a fixed salary. Compensation depends on the brokerage agreement, transactions, expenses, and individual performance, so earnings cannot be guaranteed.

Where can I verify the latest Illinois requirements?

Use the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation’s Division of Real Estate materials and current application instructions. Requirements, fees, deadlines, and testing procedures can change.

Authoritative Sources

• Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation — Real Estate Brokerage
• IDFPR Professional Requirements for Licensure
• IDFPR Online Licensing Instructions for Real Estate Brokers
• IDFPR 2026 Real Estate Broker Renewal and Continuing-Education Factsheet
• Illinois Real Estate License Act materials from IDFPR
• IDFPR 45-Hour Broker Post-License Curriculum