If you want to become a real estate agent in Homewood, Illinois, the first step is completing an approved Illinois broker pre-licensing course. A flexible Illinois pre-licensing course can help you complete the required education while preparing for the state and national licensing examinations.

Illinois uses the title real estate broker for the entry-level real estate license. A licensed broker may work with buyers, sellers, landlords, and tenants under the supervision of a sponsoring broker. This makes the Illinois broker license the typical starting point for a real estate career in Homewood and throughout the state.

Illinois Real Estate License Requirements

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

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Have a high school diploma or GED.
• Be of good moral character.
• Complete the required Illinois-approved pre-licensing education.
• Pass the Illinois broker licensing examination.
• Complete the application process through IDFPR.
• Obtain sponsorship from an Illinois sponsoring broker before practicing real estate.

Illinois law requires broker applicants to complete 75 hours of approved pre-license education, including 15 hours focused on situational and case-study instruction. That instruction may be provided in a classroom, through a live interactive webinar, or through approved online distance education.

Applicants with certain education, professional credentials, or prior real estate licenses may qualify for different requirements. Because exemptions and endorsements depend on the applicant’s circumstances, confirm eligibility directly with IDFPR before enrolling or applying.

Step 1: Complete 75 Hours of Pre-Licensing Education

The 75-hour course is designed to introduce the legal, practical, and ethical foundations of Illinois real estate practice. Topics commonly include:

• Real estate principles and practices.
• Illinois license law and regulations.
• Agency relationships.
• Contracts and disclosures.
• Property ownership and land use.
• Financing and mortgages.
• Fair housing.
• Real estate mathematics.
• Leasing and property management concepts.
• Professional responsibilities and transaction procedures.

The course must be approved for Illinois broker pre-licensing education. Completing an unapproved real estate class does not necessarily satisfy the licensing requirement.

Online Course Options

Illinois permits approved distance education for qualifying real estate education, including the 75-hour pre-license curriculum. Online study can be useful for Homewood residents who work full time, have family obligations, or prefer to study at their own pace.

Before purchasing a course, verify:

• The provider is approved for Illinois broker education.
• The course includes the full 75 hours.
• The required 15 hours of situational and case-study education are included.
• The course explains how attendance, progress, identity verification, and final exams are handled.
• The provider issues the documentation needed for the license application.

A self-paced online course and a live online class are not always administered in the same way. Review the provider’s policies carefully, particularly if you need to finish by a specific date.

Step 2: Prepare for the Illinois Licensing Exam

After completing the required education, you must pass the Illinois broker licensing examination. The examination includes state and national real estate content, and IDFPR’s professional licensing materials identify successful completion of both portions as part of the broker licensing process.

Study should cover both general real estate concepts and Illinois-specific rules. A practical preparation plan may include:

• Reviewing every topic in the approved course.
• Taking practice questions under timed conditions.
• Memorizing key definitions and formulas.
• Focusing on agency, contracts, financing, fair housing, and license law.
• Studying the Illinois-specific portion separately from the national portion.
• Scheduling the examination only after consistently passing practice tests.

The examination vendor, scheduling procedures, passing standards, and retesting rules may change. Use the current candidate handbook and IDFPR instructions rather than relying on older articles or informal study materials.

Step 3: Complete Fingerprinting and the Background Check

Illinois applicants may be required to submit fingerprints for a criminal history background check as part of the licensing process. The exact process depends on the current IDFPR application instructions and the approved fingerprinting procedures.

Plan to:

• Use an approved fingerprint vendor or method identified by IDFPR.
• Bring the identification documents required by the fingerprint provider.
• Keep the receipt or transaction information.
• Disclose criminal history accurately when asked.
• Allow additional review time if the background check identifies a record.

A criminal record does not automatically mean an applicant cannot become licensed. However, omissions or inaccurate answers can create additional problems. If you have concerns about a prior conviction, review IDFPR’s character and fitness requirements or seek qualified legal advice before submitting an application.

Step 4: Submit the Illinois Broker License Application

After meeting the education, examination, and background-check requirements, submit the broker application using the current IDFPR process. The application may require documentation such as:

• Proof of completed education.
• Examination results.
• Personal identification information.
• Fingerprint or background-check information.
• Answers to character and fitness questions.
• Required application and licensing fees.
• Sponsoring broker information, when applicable.

Do not assume that passing the examination alone authorizes you to practice. You must receive the appropriate license and meet the sponsorship requirements before performing activities that require an Illinois real estate license.

Sponsoring Broker Requirements

An Illinois broker generally must be sponsored by a sponsoring broker to practice. The sponsoring broker is responsible for supervising the sponsored licensee and overseeing the licensee’s real estate activities.

When choosing a brokerage serving Homewood or the surrounding south and southwest suburbs, compare:

• Commission and fee structures.
• Training for new brokers.
• Mentorship and transaction support.
• Desk, technology, and marketing fees.
• Lead-generation policies.
• Office and virtual-work expectations.
• Geographic coverage.
• Brokerage policies for referrals, teams, and advertising.
• Availability of support for contracts and compliance.

There is no single best brokerage for every new agent. A firm with a lower commission split may provide stronger training, while a higher split may come with more fees or less support. Review the independent-contractor agreement and fee schedule before affiliating.

Illinois Real Estate License Costs

The total cost of becoming a real estate broker includes more than the state license fee. Typical cost categories include:

• Pre-licensing education.
• Course materials.
• School or provider examination fees, if applicable.
• State licensing examination fees.
• Fingerprinting and background-check charges.
• IDFPR application or license fees.
• Brokerage startup expenses.
• Professional, marketing, technology, and association costs.

The exact amounts can change, and some charges vary by education provider or fingerprint vendor. IDFPR’s current application materials and fee schedule should be treated as the controlling sources. Avoid relying on an old cost estimate when budgeting for your Homewood real estate career.

How Long Does It Take?

The timeline depends on how quickly you complete the 75-hour course, how soon examination appointments are available, whether you need to retake any portion of the exam, and how long application or background-check processing takes.

A motivated applicant may complete the process relatively quickly, while a part-time student may need longer. A conservative planning approach is to allow time for:

• Completing all required education.
• Receiving course completion documentation.
• Scheduling and passing the examination.
• Completing fingerprinting.
• Correcting application errors or supplying additional documents.
• Finding a sponsoring broker.
• Waiting for license issuance or activation.

Because these stages are controlled by different organizations, no universal processing timeline can be guaranteed.

Step 5: Complete Post-License Education

New Illinois brokers must complete 45 hours of post-license education during the first license term. The requirement consists of three 15-hour courses covering 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 post-license education must generally be completed before the first renewal deadline. If the initial license is issued within 180 days before the first renewal deadline, the deadline may extend to the second renewal deadline.

The 45-hour post-license requirement is separate from the initial 75-hour pre-license course. New brokers should schedule it early rather than waiting until the end of the license term.

Continuing Education After the First License Term

After the initial broker license term, Illinois brokers generally must complete 12 hours of continuing education during each renewal period, subject to statutory exceptions and any updated IDFPR rules.

The continuing education curriculum includes required core content and electives. Illinois law also requires at least two hours of fair-housing training within the broker continuing education curriculum.

The 45-hour post-license curriculum satisfies the continuing education requirement for the initial broker license term, so a new broker generally does not complete separate 12-hour CE during that same initial term. Requirements can vary for managing brokers and other license categories, so confirm the rules applicable to your license before renewal.

Potential Earnings as a Homewood Real Estate Agent

Real estate income is not guaranteed and can vary substantially. Many residential real estate brokers are compensated through commissions or other transaction-based arrangements rather than a fixed salary. Earnings may depend on:

• Number of closed transactions.
• Property prices and transaction types.
• Brokerage commission splits and fees.
• Referral and lead costs.
• Experience and repeat business.
• Market conditions.
• Schedule and prospecting activity.
• Whether the agent works full time or part time.

Public wage data may combine real estate brokers and sales agents, may use different geographic areas, and may not reflect the income of a newly licensed agent. For that reason, national or statewide salary figures should not be presented as a guaranteed Homewood income level.

Before entering the field, build a conservative financial plan that accounts for education, licensing, transportation, marketing, technology, insurance, association dues, and several months of uneven income.

Career Opportunities in and Around Homewood

A Homewood real estate license can support several career directions, including:

• Residential buyer representation.
• Listing and seller representation.
• Leasing and rental transactions.
• Relocation services.
• New-construction sales.
• Property management, where separately permitted and properly structured.
• Commercial real estate.
• Investment-property transactions.
• Referral-based real estate business.
• Long-term advancement to managing broker.

Local knowledge can be valuable when working with clients who are comparing neighborhoods, transportation access, schools, housing types, taxes, commuting patterns, and nearby communities. However, agents must provide accurate, current information and avoid unsupported statements about schools, neighborhoods, property values, or community characteristics.

A Practical Homewood Licensing Checklist

Use this checklist to organize the process:

• Confirm that you meet the age and education requirements.
• Enroll in an Illinois-approved 75-hour broker pre-license course.
• Complete the required situational and case-study education.
• Apply for and pass the state and national broker examination.
• Complete fingerprinting and the required background-check process.
• Submit the Illinois broker license application.
• Select an appropriate sponsoring broker.
• Confirm that the license is active and properly sponsored before practicing.
• Complete the 45-hour post-license education and three course examinations.
• Track future renewal and continuing education deadlines.
• Maintain records of education, applications, receipts, and license status.

FAQ

Can I take the Illinois real estate course online?

Yes. Illinois permits approved online distance education and live interactive webinars for qualifying broker education, provided the course meets the state’s requirements.

Do I need a college degree?

No. Illinois broker applicants generally need a high school diploma or GED rather than a four-year college degree.

How many education hours are required before the exam?

The standard Illinois broker pre-license requirement is 75 hours, including 15 hours of situational and case-study instruction.

Can I work independently after passing the exam?

Passing the examination does not by itself authorize independent practice. An Illinois broker generally must be sponsored by a sponsoring broker before practicing real estate.

What happens after I receive my first broker license?

You must complete 45 hours of post-license education, consisting of three 15-hour courses, and pass each required course examination within the applicable first-renewal period.

How much does an Illinois real estate license cost?

The total cost includes education, examination, fingerprinting, background-check, and state application or licensing charges. Amounts can change, so check the current IDFPR fee information and provider pricing before budgeting.

Is real estate a salaried career?

Not necessarily. Compensation often depends on commissions, transaction volume, brokerage arrangements, and business expenses. A new agent should plan for variable income rather than assume a guaranteed salary.

Can I focus on Homewood?

Yes. After meeting Illinois licensing and sponsorship requirements, you can build a business focused on Homewood and nearby communities, subject to your brokerage’s policies and the type of real estate services you provide.

Authoritative Sources

• Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation — Real Estate Brokerage
• IDFPR Professional Requirements for Licensure — Real Estate Broker
• Illinois Real Estate License Act — Broker Requirements
• Illinois Administrative Code — Broker Post-License Education
• Illinois Administrative Code — Broker Continuing Education