How to Get Your Real Estate License in Industry, Illinois

If you want to become a real estate agent in Industry, Illinois, the first step is completing an approved Illinois broker pre-licensing program. An online option such as the Illinois pre-licensing course from Leap Real Estate can help you satisfy the state’s education requirement while studying around your existing schedule. After completing the required education, you must pass the Illinois licensing examination, complete the application process, and work with a sponsoring broker.

Illinois generally licenses entry-level real estate professionals as real estate brokers, although many people still use the term “real estate agent” in everyday conversation.

Illinois Real Estate License Requirements

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

Be at least 18 years old.
Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Complete the required approved pre-license education.
Pass the Illinois real estate licensing examination.
Submit a license application and required fee.
Meet the state’s character, background, and documentation requirements.
Be sponsored by an Illinois sponsoring broker before practicing real estate.

IDFPR’s current online broker licensing instructions state that applicants must complete 90 hours of approved pre-license instruction before taking the examination. Older materials and other licensing documents may display different hour totals because Illinois education requirements and licensing categories have changed. Applicants should confirm that their school and course package are currently approved by IDFPR before enrolling.

Attorneys admitted to practice law by the Illinois Supreme Court may qualify for an exemption from the pre-license education requirement, although they still must satisfy other applicable licensing requirements.

Complete the Required Education

The 90-hour broker education requirement is designed to introduce future licensees to the legal, ethical, and practical foundations of real estate practice. Coursework commonly addresses subjects such as:

Illinois license law and regulations
Real estate brokerage relationships
Agency and fiduciary duties
Contracts and purchase agreements
Fair housing
Property ownership and transfer
Financing and mortgages
Real estate disclosures
Leasing and property management
Valuation and market analysis
Real estate mathematics
Professional conduct

The course must be provided by an education provider and through a course approved for Illinois licensing purposes. Before registering, verify the provider’s current approval status through the IDFPR real estate licensing resources.

Online Illinois pre-license courses

Illinois permits approved real estate education through online and distance-learning formats. Online study may be useful for residents of Industry and nearby rural communities who do not want to commute to a classroom.

When comparing online programs, look for:

Current Illinois approval
A clear 90-hour broker curriculum
Access to required course materials
Identity-verification or attendance procedures
Course-completion documentation
Student support for licensing questions
Instructions for registering for the licensing examination

Online education does not remove the examination or application requirements. It also does not guarantee that an applicant will pass the state test.

For a flexible study format, review the Illinois real estate pre-licensing program and confirm that the specific course remains approved before beginning.

Submit the Illinois License Application

After completing the education requirement and passing the examination, you must apply for your Illinois broker license through the process established by IDFPR. The application requires personal and educational information, examination information, and any additional documentation requested by the Department.

The current IDFPR online broker licensing instructions list a $125 application fee. Fees can change, so check the current application instructions before submitting payment.

A typical application process includes:

Complete an approved 90-hour pre-license course.
Receive proof of course completion.
Register for the Illinois real estate examination.
Pass the state and national portions required for licensure.
Complete any required background-check or fingerprint steps.
Submit the broker license application and fee.
Arrange sponsorship with an Illinois sponsoring broker.
Wait for IDFPR processing and license issuance.

Do not assume that paying the application fee alone authorizes you to practice. You must have the appropriate license status and sponsoring-broker relationship before performing licensed activities.

Background Checks and Fingerprinting

Illinois licensing applicants should expect the Department to review criminal-history and character information. A background check may involve fingerprint submission through an approved vendor or process identified in the current application instructions.

The exact fingerprint procedure, vendor, cost, and timing can change. Applicants should follow the instructions supplied by IDFPR and avoid relying on an unofficial fingerprinting checklist. If you have a criminal conviction, disciplinary history, or prior professional-license issue, answer application questions completely and provide requested explanations or records.

A past issue does not automatically mean an applicant cannot receive a license, but failing to disclose required information can create additional problems.

Pass the Illinois Real Estate Exam

The Illinois broker examination tests both general real estate knowledge and Illinois-specific rules. IDFPR identifies the examination vendor and provides a candidate bulletin with registration and testing information.

Prepare for topics such as:

Real estate terminology
Contracts
Agency relationships
Financing
Property ownership
Valuation
Transfer and closing procedures
Fair housing
Illinois license law
Brokerage operations
Real estate mathematics

A practical study plan includes:

Completing all course lessons and practice questions
Reviewing incorrect answers instead of only memorizing correct ones
Practicing commission, prorating, interest, and area calculations
Studying Illinois-specific laws separately from national concepts
Reading the current examination candidate bulletin
Scheduling the examination while course information is fresh

If you do not pass, review the vendor’s retesting rules and any score report before scheduling another attempt. Each additional examination attempt may create another testing expense.

Estimated Costs of Becoming a Real Estate Agent

The total cost varies by school, testing needs, fingerprint requirements, and application circumstances. Common expenses include:

| Expense | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Pre-license education | Varies by provider, course format, materials, and included services |
| Examination fee | Set by the examination vendor and subject to change |
| License application | IDFPR’s current online broker instructions list $125 |
| Fingerprinting or background check | May involve a separate vendor charge; verify current instructions |
| Retesting | Applies if another examination attempt is required |
| Brokerage expenses | May include association dues, MLS access, technology, insurance, marketing, and transaction fees |
| Continuing education | Varies by provider and course format |

A cautious budget should include more than the state application fee. Ask prospective schools and brokerages for a written breakdown of required and optional charges.

How Long Does Licensing Take?

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

How quickly you complete the education
Course availability and schedule
Examination appointment availability
Whether you need to retake any examination portion
Fingerprint or background-check processing
Application completeness
IDFPR review times
How quickly you find a sponsoring broker

Applicants can reduce avoidable delays by using an approved school, keeping all completion records, submitting accurate information, and responding promptly to requests from the Department.

Find a Sponsoring Broker

An Illinois broker generally must be sponsored by a sponsoring broker to practice under a real estate business. The sponsoring broker provides supervision, brokerage systems, transaction guidance, and a legal structure for conducting licensed activities.

When evaluating brokerages in or near Industry, consider:

Commission split and transaction fees
Training for new brokers
Availability of a managing or supervising broker
Support with contracts and compliance
Lead-generation expectations
Technology and transaction-management tools
Office, desk, or monthly fees
Marketing requirements
Coverage area and client base
Whether the brokerage supports residential, land, agricultural, commercial, or leasing work

Because Industry is a small Illinois municipality, a new broker may need to evaluate opportunities across the surrounding region rather than limiting the search to the village itself. That is a career-planning consideration, not a separate licensing requirement.

Do not choose a brokerage solely because it advertises a high commission split. Training, supervision, transaction support, and lead opportunities can be especially valuable during a first year.

Post-License Education

New Illinois brokers must complete 45 hours of post-license education during the initial license period. The requirement consists of three 15-hour courses covering applied brokerage principles, risk management and discipline, and transactional issues.

Each course requires a provider-administered final examination, and the education and examinations generally must be completed before the first renewal deadline. If the initial license is issued within 180 days of the first renewal deadline, the deadline may extend to the second renewal deadline under Illinois rules.

The post-license requirement is different from pre-license education. It focuses on applying real estate concepts to actual brokerage practice, including risk reduction, transaction handling, and professional responsibilities.

Continuing Education After the First Renewal

After the initial post-license period, Illinois brokers generally must complete 12 hours of continuing education during each license term.

The continuing education curriculum includes:

A core curriculum
An elective curriculum
At least two hours of fair-housing training within the required core education

The state’s renewal cycle and detailed course requirements can change. Use the current IDFPR renewal instructions and approved-course information when planning education.

New brokers who complete the required 45-hour post-license education during the first license term generally do not complete separate ordinary continuing education for that same initial term.

Potential Earnings in Illinois Real Estate

Real estate income is usually commission-based rather than a guaranteed salary. Earnings can vary significantly based on:

Number and value of closed transactions
Commission agreements
Brokerage splits and fees
Local inventory and market conditions
Experience and specialization
Lead generation
Business expenses
Whether the broker works full-time or part-time

Public wage data may combine real estate sales agents and brokers, may not reflect self-employed income, and may not show net earnings after expenses. For that reason, national or statewide wage figures should not be treated as a promised income level for a new agent in Industry.

Before entering the field, prepare for uneven income during the first months. Maintain adequate savings, understand the brokerage’s payment schedule, and budget for licensing, marketing, transportation, technology, insurance, association, and transaction expenses.

Career Opportunities for Illinois Brokers

A real estate license can support several career paths, including:

Residential buyer representation
Residential listing services
Land and rural property sales
Agricultural real estate
Commercial real estate
Leasing
Property management, where separately permitted and properly structured
Relocation services
New-construction sales
Investment-property transactions
Referral-based real estate work
Future advancement to managing broker

Industry-area professionals may find that knowledge of local roads, communities, land uses, schools, employers, farms, and regional services helps build trust with clients. However, a broker must follow Illinois license law, advertising rules, fair-housing requirements, agency obligations, and brokerage policies regardless of location.

Practical Steps for Applicants in Industry, Illinois

Confirm that you meet the age and education requirements.
Select an IDFPR-approved 90-hour broker pre-license course.
Complete the course and retain your completion documentation.
Study for and schedule the Illinois examination.
Complete required background-check or fingerprint procedures.
Pass the examination.
Submit the application and current fee to IDFPR.
Interview sponsoring brokerages serving Industry and the surrounding region.
Activate and practice under the appropriate sponsoring-broker arrangement.
Complete the 45-hour post-license requirement by the applicable deadline.
Track future renewal and continuing-education deadlines.

The Illinois pre-licensing course option from Leap Real Estate can be one education option to investigate, but applicants should independently confirm current state approval and compare course features before enrolling.

FAQ

Is Industry, Illinois, large enough for a real estate career?

A license does not limit you to transactions inside the village where you live. Your sponsoring brokerage, license status, service area, and business strategy determine where you may work, subject to Illinois law and brokerage policies.

How many hours of education are required for an Illinois broker license?

Current IDFPR online broker instructions require 90 hours of approved pre-license instruction before the examination.

Can the Illinois real estate course be completed online?

Approved Illinois real estate education may be available through online or distance-learning formats. Confirm that the specific provider and course are currently approved by IDFPR before enrolling.

How much is the Illinois broker application fee?

IDFPR’s current online broker licensing instructions list a $125 application fee. Examination, education, fingerprinting, and brokerage costs are separate and may change.

Do new Illinois brokers need a sponsoring broker?

Yes. A new broker generally needs sponsorship from an Illinois sponsoring broker to practice real estate under a brokerage.

What education is required after receiving the license?

New brokers generally must complete 45 hours of post-license education, consisting of three 15-hour courses and final examinations, before the applicable first renewal deadline.

How much continuing education is required later?

Illinois brokers generally complete 12 hours of continuing education during each license term after the initial post-license period.

Can someone with a criminal record become an Illinois real estate broker?

Eligibility depends on the circumstances and the Department’s review. Applicants should disclose required information accurately and follow IDFPR’s instructions for explanations and supporting documentation.

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