How to Get Your Real Estate License in Hodgkins, Illinois

If you want to become a real estate agent in Hodgkins, Illinois, the first step is completing an approved 75-hour Illinois broker pre-licensing program. An online option such as the Illinois pre-licensing course from LEAP can help you study on a flexible schedule while preparing for the state licensing exam.

Illinois calls entry-level real estate licensees brokers, although many people still use the term “real estate agent.” The license allows you to practice under the supervision of a sponsoring broker and work with buyers, sellers, landlords, and tenants throughout Illinois, including the Hodgkins area.

Illinois Real Estate Broker License Requirements

To apply for an Illinois real estate broker license, you generally 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.
Complete the application process through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, or IDFPR.
Satisfy applicable background-check and fingerprinting requirements.
Obtain sponsorship from an Illinois-licensed sponsoring broker before practicing.

IDFPR’s professional requirements document identifies the minimum age, education, 75-hour education requirement, examination requirement, sponsorship requirement, and post-license obligations for Illinois brokers.

A person who wants to become a managing broker follows a different and more advanced path. Managing broker applicants generally must be at least 20, have qualifying experience as a licensed broker, and complete additional education. New applicants normally begin with the broker license rather than applying directly as managing brokers.

Complete the 75-Hour Pre-Licensing Education

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

60 hours of Real Estate Topics
15 hours of Applied Real Estate Principles

The 15-hour portion must include situational and case-study instruction. Under the Illinois curriculum, that portion may be delivered in a classroom, through a live interactive webinar, or through approved online distance education.

The education must come from an IDFPR-approved provider. Before enrolling, verify that the provider and specific course are approved for Illinois broker pre-licensing education.

Online Course Options

Online education may be a practical choice for Hodgkins residents who work full time, have family responsibilities, or prefer studying independently. Available formats may include:

Self-paced online coursework
Live online classes
Interactive webinars
Traditional classroom instruction
Approved distance education

Course rules, attendance requirements, testing procedures, access periods, and tuition differ by provider. A self-paced course may offer convenience, while a live online course can provide scheduled instruction and opportunities to ask questions.

The Illinois pre-licensing program from LEAP is one online option to investigate, but applicants should compare the current curriculum, provider approval, included exam preparation, student support, and total price before enrolling.

Apply for the Illinois Real Estate Exam

After completing the required education, you must apply to take the Illinois real estate broker examination through the state’s designated testing process. The exam includes state and national portions, and applicants must satisfy the testing provider’s registration and identification requirements.

The examination tests subjects such as:

Property ownership and land-use controls
Contracts and agency
Financing
Real estate practices
Valuation and market analysis
Illinois license law and regulations
Fair housing and consumer-protection rules
Property management and leasing concepts

The exact exam fee, scheduling procedures, retake rules, and identification requirements can change. Check the current IDFPR instructions and testing-provider bulletin before registering rather than relying on older study materials.

Passing the exam is necessary, but it does not by itself authorize independent real estate practice. You still need an approved license application and sponsoring broker.

Background Check and Fingerprinting

Illinois applicants should expect the licensing process to address criminal-history information and may be required to complete electronic fingerprinting through an authorized vendor. Fingerprint requirements can depend on the application process and the applicant’s circumstances.

A prior arrest, conviction, or other issue does not necessarily mean automatic denial. However, applicants should answer all questions accurately and disclose information as required. Omissions or inaccurate answers can create additional licensing problems.

Because fingerprint procedures, approved vendors, and submission instructions may change, review the current IDFPR application directions before scheduling the appointment.

Submit the License Application

Once you have completed education and passed the examination, submit the broker license application through the current IDFPR process. The application typically requires information about:

Your personal identity and contact information
Education completion
Examination results
Criminal-history disclosures
Fingerprinting or background-check compliance
Sponsoring broker information
Required application payment

IDFPR lists the initial Illinois real estate broker license fee as $150 in its licensing materials. Education tuition, examination charges, fingerprinting costs, course materials, and other expenses are separate and vary by provider or vendor.

Find a Sponsoring Broker in the Hodgkins Area

Illinois requires a new broker to be sponsored by a sponsoring broker before conducting licensed activities. A sponsoring broker is generally an eligible Illinois managing broker or brokerage organization that supervises the sponsored licensee.

When evaluating brokerages serving Hodgkins, consider:

Commission structure and transaction fees
Training for new brokers
Mentoring and supervision
Lead generation and marketing support
Technology and transaction-management systems
Desk, association, or monthly fees
Office and remote-work expectations
Geographic coverage in Hodgkins and nearby communities
Availability of residential, commercial, leasing, or investment opportunities

Do not select a brokerage solely because it advertises the highest commission split. For a new broker, education, supervision, practical transaction support, and a realistic business-development plan may be equally important.

Estimated Timeline

There is no single guaranteed timeline for becoming licensed in Illinois. The process depends on:

How quickly you complete the 75-hour course
Course scheduling and attendance
Examination availability
Whether you pass on the first attempt
Fingerprinting and background-check processing
Application processing
How quickly you secure a sponsoring broker

A self-paced student may finish the education faster than someone attending part-time, but completing the course is only one part of the process. Allow additional time for exam registration, application review, and brokerage selection.

Typical Licensing Costs

Your total startup cost may include:

Pre-license course tuition
Required textbooks or digital materials
State and national examination charges
Fingerprinting or background-check fees
Illinois broker license application fee
Professional association or multiple-listing-service expenses
Brokerage onboarding, technology, or transaction fees
Marketing, signs, photography, transportation, and insurance expenses

The state’s initial broker license fee is listed as $150. Since course prices, exam charges, fingerprinting fees, brokerage costs, and business expenses vary, calculate the full cost using current prices from each provider and organization.

Post-License Education

New Illinois brokers must complete 45 hours of post-license education during the first renewal period. IDFPR materials describe the post-license curriculum as three 15-hour courses covering applied brokerage principles, risk management and discipline, and transactional issues.

The post-license requirement is separate from the initial 75-hour pre-license education. It is intended to help new brokers develop practical knowledge after entering the profession.

Complete the education through an IDFPR-approved provider and retain your completion records. The applicable deadline may depend on when the license was first issued and the renewal cycle in effect.

Continuing Education After the First Renewal Period

After the initial post-license period, Illinois brokers must complete continuing education for each subsequent renewal. The exact number and composition of hours can vary by renewal cycle and license category.

For example, IDFPR’s 2026 broker renewal information distinguishes between brokers subject to 45-hour post-license education and brokers subject to a 12-hour continuing-education requirement, depending on when the license was first issued.

Always check the current IDFPR renewal fact sheet before completing courses. Continuing education generally must be completed through an approved real estate education provider.

Potential Earnings in Illinois Real Estate

Real estate income is not guaranteed. Brokers commonly earn through commissions or other transaction-based compensation, and income can fluctuate substantially based on closings, market conditions, commission agreements, business expenses, and the broker’s experience.

Illinois wage data published by the Illinois Department of Employment Security reports a statewide median annual wage of $59,760 for real estate sales agents and $63,110 for real estate brokers in its 2025 statewide wage publication. These figures are statewide occupational wage data, not a guarantee for a new broker in Hodgkins, and they may not represent net income after business expenses.

New brokers should plan for an income ramp-up period and maintain adequate savings while building a client base. Possible income sources can include:

Buyer representation
Listing and seller representation
Residential leasing
Commercial transactions
Relocation services
Investment-property transactions
Property-management-related services, when properly authorized
Referrals and cooperative transactions

Compensation arrangements differ among brokerages. Review the independent-contractor agreement, commission split, transaction fees, and payment policies before affiliating with a sponsoring broker.

Career Opportunities Near Hodgkins

A Hodgkins-based real estate broker may pursue several career directions, depending on licensing, training, brokerage support, and local demand:

Residential sales
Residential leasing
Commercial real estate
Industrial and logistics-related real estate
Investment-property sales
Relocation assistance
New-construction sales
Property management, where permitted
Real estate referrals
Future advancement to managing broker

Hodgkins is part of the broader Chicago-area real estate market, but local opportunities can differ by neighborhood, property type, client needs, and economic conditions. Research the communities you intend to serve, learn the relevant housing and business patterns, and build relationships with lenders, attorneys, inspectors, contractors, and other real estate professionals.

Avoid presenting yourself as a specialist until you have the training and experience to support that claim. A new broker can begin by selecting a defined service area, learning the local inventory, and developing a compliant marketing plan.

Practical Steps for Hodgkins Residents

A straightforward path is:

Confirm that you meet Illinois age and education requirements.
Choose an IDFPR-approved 75-hour broker pre-license course.
Complete the 60-hour Real Estate Topics and 15-hour Applied Real Estate Principles components.
Study Illinois license law and practice questions.
Register for and pass the state and national examination.
Complete required fingerprinting or background-check steps.
Submit the Illinois broker license application and required fee.
Interview sponsoring brokerages that serve Hodgkins and surrounding communities.
Activate the license with an eligible sponsoring broker.
Complete the required 45 hours of post-license education during the first renewal period.
Complete continuing education for later renewals.

FAQ

How long does it take to get an Illinois real estate license?

The timeline varies. It depends on course format, study pace, exam availability, exam results, fingerprinting, application processing, and sponsorship.

Can I take the Illinois pre-licensing course online?

Yes, Illinois-approved education may be available through online distance education or live interactive online formats. Confirm that the specific provider and course are approved by IDFPR.

How many hours of education are required?

Illinois requires 75 hours of approved pre-license broker education: 60 hours of Real Estate Topics and 15 hours of Applied Real Estate Principles.

Do I need a sponsoring broker?

Yes. An Illinois broker must be sponsored by an eligible sponsoring broker before practicing real estate.

How much does the Illinois license application cost?

IDFPR licensing materials list the initial broker license fee as $150. Course tuition, examination, fingerprinting, and brokerage expenses are additional.

Is a criminal record an automatic disqualifier?

Not necessarily. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information, and IDFPR evaluates licensing matters under applicable law and procedures. Do not omit required disclosures.

What education is required after I become licensed?

New brokers generally must complete 45 hours of post-license education during the first renewal period. Later renewals require continuing education under the rules applicable to that renewal cycle.

How much can a real estate agent in Hodgkins earn?

There is no reliable guaranteed local salary. Statewide Illinois wage data lists a median annual wage of $59,760 for real estate sales agents and $63,110 for real estate brokers in the 2025 publication, but actual income varies and may be reduced by business expenses.

Authoritative Sources