How to Get Your Real Estate License in Illinois

Becoming a real estate broker in Illinois requires approved pre-license education, a state examination, a background check, an application to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), and sponsorship by a managing broker. The standard Illinois broker path requires 75 hours of approved education: 60 hours of Broker Pre-License Topics and 15 hours of interactive Applied Real Estate Principles instruction.

For many aspiring brokers, a flexible Illinois pre-licensing course can help you complete the required education and prepare for the exam while balancing work and family responsibilities.

This guide explains the current process, likely costs, timing, education options, and career considerations for prospective Illinois real estate brokers.

Quick Summary: Steps to Get an Illinois Real Estate License

Meet the minimum age and education requirements.
Complete 75 hours of approved Illinois broker pre-license education.
Pass the school’s course final examination.
Complete the required fingerprinting and criminal background check.
Register for and pass the Illinois real estate broker licensing examination through PSI.
Submit the broker license application and required fee to IDFPR.
Associate with an Illinois sponsoring broker and activate the license.
Complete the required 45-hour post-license education before the first renewal deadline.
Complete continuing education during subsequent renewal periods.

Illinois Real Estate License Requirements

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

Be at least 18 years old.
Have a high school diploma or GED.
Complete the required approved education.
Pass the Illinois broker licensing examination.
Satisfy the state’s criminal-history and fingerprinting requirements.
Submit a complete application to IDFPR.
Work under a sponsoring managing broker after licensure.

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation’s licensing instructions state that applicants may qualify at age 18, although certain educational documentation is required. Applicants should review the current IDFPR instructions carefully because age, education, endorsement, and exemption rules can vary by applicant category.

Applicants who are already licensed in another state may qualify through endorsement or another nonstandard pathway. The required education, examination, and documentation can differ, so out-of-state applicants should contact IDFPR before enrolling in a standard Illinois course.

Complete 75 Hours of Approved Education

Illinois Category A broker applicants must complete 75 class hours through an education provider approved by IDFPR. The required curriculum consists of:

60 hours of Broker Pre-License Topics.
15 hours of Broker Pre-License Applied Real Estate Principles—Interactive.

The education covers subjects such as real estate law, agency, contracts, financing, valuation, property management, license law, fair housing, and Illinois-specific brokerage practices.

A school’s pre-license course is separate from the state licensing examination. Students must generally complete the course requirements and pass the school’s final exam before proceeding to the licensing exam and application process.

Online Illinois Real Estate Courses

Online education can be a convenient option for students who need flexible scheduling. Before enrolling, confirm that the course is currently approved for Illinois broker pre-license education and that it includes all required curriculum components.

Leap Real Estate’s Illinois pre-licensing course is marketed as an online Illinois course and identifies the 75-hour broker education requirement. Review the school’s current course format, tuition, exam rules, student-support options, and completion requirements before purchasing.

Online students should plan for consistent study time. A self-paced course may allow flexibility, but completing the material, passing the school final, scheduling the PSI exam, completing fingerprinting, and waiting for application processing still takes time.

Complete Fingerprinting and the Background Check

Illinois broker applicants must complete the criminal background-check process required by IDFPR. Fingerprints are submitted through an approved vendor or process identified by the Division of Real Estate.

The exact fingerprinting procedure, vendor availability, identification requirements, and fee can change. Applicants should use the current fingerprint and background-check instructions published by IDFPR’s Division of Real Estate rather than relying on an old school handout or third-party checklist.

Disclose criminal history accurately on the application. An arrest or conviction does not automatically mean an applicant will be denied, but omissions or inaccurate answers can create additional licensing problems. Applicants with a criminal record should contact IDFPR for guidance before submitting the application.

Pass the Illinois Real Estate Broker Exam

Illinois uses PSI to administer the real estate broker licensing examination. PSI offers test-center and remote-proctored options, subject to current availability and eligibility rules.

The examination fee listed in the current PSI bulletin is $58 for the Illinois broker examination. The fee is nonrefundable and nontransferable, and PSI states that the fee is forfeited if the applicant does not test within one year after the fee is received.

The exam tests both general real estate knowledge and Illinois-specific rules. Preparation should include:

Reviewing the Illinois license law and agency rules.
Studying contracts, financing, valuation, leasing, and property ownership.
Completing practice questions.
Learning real estate calculations.
Reviewing the PSI candidate bulletin before scheduling.
Bringing the identification required by PSI.

If an applicant does not pass, PSI’s current bulletin explains the applicable retesting and scheduling procedures. Confirm the current retest rules and fees directly with PSI before paying for another examination appointment.

Apply for the Illinois Broker License

After completing the required education and examination steps, submit the broker license application to IDFPR. The current IDFPR online licensing instructions list a $125 broker application fee.

The application may require information about:

Personal identity and contact details.
High school or GED completion.
Post-secondary education.
Education-course completion.
Examination results.
Criminal history.
Fingerprinting and background-check compliance.
Sponsoring broker information.
Any licenses held in other jurisdictions.

IDFPR’s online licensing instructions state that examination results are transmitted directly to the Division of Real Estate by the testing vendor.

Application fees are generally nonrefundable. Check the application instructions immediately before filing because IDFPR fees, forms, payment methods, and submission procedures can change.

Estimated Licensing Costs

The following are known or commonly required cost categories. Tuition and fingerprinting costs vary by provider and vendor.

| Cost | Current information |
|---|---:|
| Broker pre-license course | Varies by education provider |
| Illinois broker examination | $58, according to the current PSI bulletin |
| Illinois broker license application | $125 according to current IDFPR online instructions |
| Fingerprinting/background check | Varies by approved vendor; verify with IDFPR |
| Exam preparation or retesting | Varies |
| Post-license education | Varies by provider |

The minimum total cannot be stated accurately without including the selected school’s tuition and the current fingerprint-vendor charge. Applicants should confirm every fee with IDFPR, PSI, and the education provider before budgeting.

Find a Sponsoring Managing Broker

An Illinois broker generally practices under the supervision of a sponsoring managing broker. The sponsoring broker provides the brokerage structure required for conducting licensed activity and can help a newly licensed broker learn office procedures, contracts, compliance, lead generation, and transaction management.

Choosing a sponsoring brokerage is a business decision, not merely an administrative step. Compare:

Commission splits and transaction fees.
Desk, technology, marketing, and association fees.
Training and mentoring.
Lead-generation support.
Contract and compliance systems.
Office culture and availability of managing-broker supervision.
Geographic coverage and property specialties.
Whether the firm supports new agents with open houses, inspections, negotiations, and transaction coordination.

Ask each brokerage to explain its complete fee schedule in writing. A high commission split may not be the lowest-cost option if the brokerage charges substantial monthly, transaction, technology, or marketing fees.

Complete the 45-Hour Post-License Requirement

New Illinois brokers must complete 45 hours of approved post-license education during the initial licensing period. IDFPR identifies a 45-hour real estate broker post-license curriculum.

Post-license education is different from ordinary continuing education. It is designed for newly licensed brokers and focuses on applying real estate knowledge in actual brokerage practice. Missing the post-license deadline can affect renewal or the ability to continue practicing.

Before enrolling, confirm that the course is approved for the correct Illinois broker post-license requirement and that the provider will report or document completion properly.

Continuing Education and License Renewal

After the initial post-license period, Illinois brokers must complete continuing education during the applicable renewal cycle. The number of hours, required subjects, renewal date, and reporting process can change through legislation or IDFPR rulemaking.

Brokers should verify the current requirements through the IDFPR real estate licensing page before taking courses. Do not assume that a course accepted in a prior cycle will satisfy the next cycle’s requirements.

Maintain certificates of completion and monitor the license expiration date independently. A sponsoring brokerage may provide reminders, but the individual licensee remains responsible for timely renewal and education compliance.

How Long Does It Take to Get an Illinois Real Estate License?

A realistic timeline depends on course pace, exam availability, fingerprint processing, application completeness, and IDFPR processing time.

A motivated student may complete the education in several weeks, while someone studying part-time may take longer. Add time for:

Completing the 75-hour course.
Passing the school final exam.
Scheduling fingerprinting.
Waiting for background-check processing.
Scheduling the PSI examination.
Retesting if necessary.
Preparing and submitting the license application.
Resolving any missing documents or application questions.
Finding a sponsoring managing broker.

There is no single guaranteed timeline because IDFPR processing and appointment availability vary. Applicants should avoid making moving, employment, or income decisions around an assumed approval date and should verify current processing estimates with IDFPR.

Potential Earnings in Illinois Real Estate

Real estate income varies substantially. Brokers may be paid through commissions, fees, salaries, or combinations of compensation depending on the brokerage and role. Income can be affected by transaction volume, property prices, market conditions, commission arrangements, expenses, experience, specialization, and whether the broker works full time.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes employment and wage information for real estate brokers and sales agents, but national or statewide occupational figures do not predict what an individual new broker will earn. Review the latest BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook data for real estate brokers and sales agents and compare it with the compensation plan offered by each Illinois brokerage.

New brokers should budget for expenses such as:

Transportation and vehicle costs.
MLS and association dues.
Insurance.
Marketing and advertising.
Technology and transaction-management systems.
Brokerage and transaction fees.
Professional education.
Taxes and business expenses.

Because commission income may be irregular, maintaining savings or another source of income during the early career period can reduce financial pressure.

Career Opportunities for Illinois Brokers

An Illinois real estate broker can pursue several paths, depending on experience, interests, and additional qualifications:

Residential buyer and seller representation.
Commercial real estate.
Leasing and property management.
New-construction sales.
Relocation services.
Luxury or high-value property.
Land and agricultural real estate.
Investment property transactions.
Real estate development support.
Transaction coordination and brokerage operations.
Later advancement to managing broker, subject to additional requirements.

The first years often involve building a referral network, learning local markets, developing prospecting habits, and completing transactions under brokerage supervision. Specializing in a geographic area or property type can help a broker develop more focused expertise.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Enrolling in a course that is not currently approved for Illinois.
Confusing the 75-hour pre-license requirement with the 45-hour post-license requirement.
Scheduling the PSI exam without reviewing the current candidate bulletin.
Underestimating fingerprinting and application-processing time.
Giving incomplete or inaccurate criminal-history information.
Choosing a brokerage based only on its advertised commission split.
Failing to complete post-license education before the first renewal deadline.
Assuming continuing-education rules remain unchanged from the previous cycle.
Treating projected commission income as guaranteed earnings.
Paying a fee before confirming the current amount with the official source.

Final Checklist

Before applying for an Illinois broker license, confirm that you have:

Completed 60 hours of Broker Pre-License Topics.
Completed 15 hours of interactive Applied Real Estate Principles.
Passed the required school final exam.
Completed fingerprinting through the current approved process.
Registered for the PSI broker examination.
Passed the Illinois broker examination.
Prepared the required application information and documents.
Budgeted for the $58 examination fee, $125 application fee, tuition, and fingerprinting.
Selected a sponsoring managing broker.
Scheduled the required 45-hour post-license education.

For a flexible starting point, review Leap Real Estate’s Illinois broker pre-licensing course, then independently confirm current approval, pricing, and completion requirements before enrolling.

Authoritative Sources