How to Get Your Real Estate License in Irving, Illinois

If you want to become a real estate agent in Irving, Illinois, the first step is completing Illinois-approved pre-licensing education. An approved Illinois pre-licensing course can help you meet the education requirement, prepare for the state licensing exam, and understand the process of beginning a real estate career.

In Illinois, the entry-level license for someone representing buyers, sellers, landlords, and tenants is generally the real estate broker license. Illinois does not use the term “salesperson” for the initial license category in the same way some states do. After meeting the state’s requirements, a new broker must generally work under the supervision of a sponsoring broker.

Illinois Real Estate License Requirements

Before applying for an Illinois real estate broker license, an applicant generally must:

Be at least 18 years old.
Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Meet the state’s character and fitness requirements.
Complete the required Illinois-approved pre-license education.
Pass the Illinois real estate licensing examination.
Submit an application and required fee.
Complete the required background check and fingerprinting process.
Obtain sponsorship from an Illinois sponsoring broker.

Illinois law requires broker applicants to complete 75 hours of approved real estate education, including 15 hours focused on situational and case-study instruction.

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, or IDFPR, regulates real estate licensing in the state. Requirements, approved education curricula, application procedures, and fees can change, so applicants should confirm details with IDFPR before enrolling or applying.

Complete 75 Hours of Pre-Licensing Education

The 75-hour curriculum is designed to introduce the legal, ethical, financial, and practical concepts needed to begin working in Illinois real estate. Course subjects may include:

Real estate principles and practices
Illinois real estate license law
Agency relationships
Contracts and disclosures
Fair housing requirements
Real estate finance
Property ownership and interests
Leasing and property management concepts
Brokerage operations
Professional responsibilities
Transaction-related scenarios and case studies

The education must come from an Illinois-approved provider. Completing an education program that is not approved by IDFPR may not satisfy the licensing requirement.

Online Course Options

Illinois permits approved distance-education options, including online courses, subject to state requirements. Depending on the provider, online instruction may be self-paced, live and interactive, or a combination of formats.

Before registering, verify:

That the provider is approved for Illinois broker pre-license education.
That the course includes all 75 required hours.
Whether any portions must be completed through live instruction or an interactive format.
How attendance, identity verification, exams, and course completion are handled.
Whether the provider reports completion to the state or supplies documentation for the application.

Online education can be useful for people in Irving who need to fit coursework around an existing job, family responsibilities, or commuting schedule. However, students should not assume that every online real estate course meets Illinois requirements.

Submit the Illinois License Application

After completing the required education and passing the licensing examination, the next step is applying for an Illinois broker license through the process established by IDFPR.

The application process generally involves:

Completing the required pre-license education.
Registering for and passing the Illinois broker examination.
Completing the fingerprinting and background-check process.
Preparing the required application information and supporting documentation.
Identifying or obtaining sponsorship from an Illinois sponsoring broker.
Paying the application and other required fees.
Submitting the application through the current IDFPR process.

Application procedures can vary depending on whether the applicant is applying for the first time, has prior licensing history, or has a criminal or disciplinary record. Applicants should use the current forms and instructions supplied by IDFPR rather than relying on outdated checklists.

Background Check and Fingerprinting

Illinois requires a criminal background check as part of the real estate licensing process. Applicants typically complete fingerprinting through an approved vendor or process identified by the state or testing and licensing instructions.

A criminal record does not automatically mean an applicant cannot obtain a license. However, the applicant may need to disclose the relevant information and provide court records, explanations, or other documentation. Failing to disclose required information can create a separate licensing problem.

Because fingerprinting procedures and approved vendors may change, confirm the current instructions before scheduling the appointment. Use the identification documents and authorization information specified by IDFPR or the examination provider.

Pass the Illinois Real Estate Licensing Exam

The Illinois broker examination tests knowledge of both general real estate principles and Illinois-specific rules. State law requires applicants to personally take and pass a written examination authorized by the Department.

The exam generally includes:

A national portion covering broad real estate concepts.
A state portion covering Illinois laws, regulations, and practices.

A well-structured preparation plan should include:

Finishing the pre-license course before scheduling the exam.
Reviewing course exams and practice questions.
Studying Illinois-specific terminology and license law.
Learning calculation methods used in real estate transactions.
Taking timed practice tests.
Reviewing incorrect answers instead of only memorizing correct ones.

If you do not pass, the retake rules, waiting period, and additional fees depend on the current examination vendor and Illinois procedures. Check the latest candidate handbook before registering.

Illinois Real Estate License Costs

The total cost of becoming a real estate broker in Illinois varies. Common expenses may include:

Pre-license education tuition
Textbooks or digital course materials
School or course examination fees, if charged separately
State examination fees
Fingerprinting and background-check fees
License application fees
Retesting fees, if necessary
Association, multiple-listing-service, marketing, or brokerage expenses after licensing

The state’s fees are subject to change. The current IDFPR fee schedule and application instructions should be treated as the controlling sources. Education providers and fingerprint vendors set their own prices, so compare the complete cost rather than only the advertised tuition.

How Long Does It Take?

There is no single required timeline for every applicant. The process may take several weeks or longer depending on:

How quickly the applicant completes the 75-hour course.
The availability of examination appointments.
Exam results and any required retake.
Fingerprinting and background-check processing.
Application review.
Sponsoring-broker arrangements.
Missing or incomplete documentation.

A person studying full time may progress more quickly than someone taking an online course around another job. The safest approach is to plan around the education, exam, background check, application, and sponsorship steps rather than relying on an advertised minimum timeline.

Find an Illinois Sponsoring Broker

A newly licensed Illinois broker generally must be sponsored by a sponsoring broker before practicing under the license. The sponsoring broker is responsible for supervising the activities of affiliated licensees and operating the brokerage in accordance with Illinois law.

When evaluating brokerages serving Irving and the surrounding area, ask about:

Commission splits and transaction fees
Desk, technology, or monthly fees
Training and mentoring
Contract and compliance support
Lead generation
Marketing resources
Office and remote-work expectations
Geographic coverage
Access to transaction-management systems
Policies for new agents
Independent-contractor or employee classification

The highest commission split is not always the best choice for a new agent. Training, supervision, transaction support, and a clear fee structure can be especially valuable during the first year.

Complete Post-License Education

New Illinois broker licensees must complete 45 hours of post-license education during the first license term, subject to the state’s timing rules.

The required post-license curriculum consists of three 15-hour courses addressing areas such as:

Applied brokerage principles
Risk management and discipline
Transactional issues

Each course requires its own final examination.

The post-license requirement is different from ordinary continuing education. Illinois rules provide a special timing exception for a person who receives an initial broker license within 180 days before the next broker renewal deadline; in that situation, the post-license deadline may extend to the second renewal deadline.

New brokers should track the applicable deadline shown in the current IDFPR materials and complete the courses early enough to allow for final exams and reporting.

Continuing Education for Illinois Brokers

After the initial post-license period, Illinois brokers generally must complete continuing education during each renewal period. Current Illinois administrative rules identify 12 hours of continuing education for brokers during the applicable license term, unless an exception applies.

Continuing education helps licensees stay current on topics such as:

Illinois license law
Fair housing
Agency and fiduciary duties
Risk management
Ethics
Contracts
Advertising
Professional conduct
Legal and regulatory updates

Renewal cycles, deadlines, exemptions, and course requirements can change. Brokers should confirm the current renewal period and education requirements directly with IDFPR.

Potential Earnings in Real Estate

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

Number of closed transactions
Property prices
Commission arrangements
Brokerage split and fees
Referral agreements
Lead sources
Experience and specialization
Local competition
Time spent prospecting and serving clients

New agents may have limited income at first because they must build a network, develop a pipeline, and learn transaction procedures. Some agents maintain another job while establishing their business.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage information for real estate sales agents, but government wage data may not capture every form of commission income or the financial costs of running an independent real estate business. Prospective agents should review current occupational wage data and ask brokerages for a complete explanation of splits, fees, and expenses rather than relying on an advertised income claim.

Career Opportunities for Irving-Area Real Estate Professionals

An Illinois broker license can support several career directions, depending on experience, education, and brokerage structure:

Residential buyer representation
Residential listing and seller representation
Rental and leasing services
Relocation assistance
New-construction sales
Commercial real estate
Property management-related work
Investment property services
Land and development transactions
Referral-based real estate business
Later advancement toward a managing broker license

Local knowledge can help an agent serve clients effectively, but agents must still comply with Illinois advertising, agency, fair housing, confidentiality, and disclosure requirements. Avoid making unsupported claims about schools, neighborhoods, property values, commute times, or market conditions.

Moving From Broker to Managing Broker

A managing broker license is a more advanced credential. IDFPR’s professional requirements identify additional education and experience requirements, including being at least 20 years old and having been licensed as a real estate broker for two consecutive years out of the preceding three years.

Managing brokers may pursue responsibilities involving:

Supervision of other licensees
Brokerage operations
Compliance systems
Training
Office management
Transaction oversight
Business ownership or leadership

The managing broker path is not necessary for every real estate professional. Many brokers build successful careers while remaining affiliated with an established sponsoring brokerage.

Practical Steps for Starting in Irving

A practical Illinois licensing plan is:

Confirm that you meet the age and education requirements.
Choose an IDFPR-approved 75-hour broker pre-license course.
Complete the coursework and required course assessments.
Study for the national and Illinois portions of the exam.
Complete fingerprinting and the background-check process.
Register for and pass the licensing examination.
Review current IDFPR application instructions and fees.
Interview potential sponsoring brokers.
Submit the license application and sponsorship information.
Complete the required 45-hour post-license education.
Track future renewal and continuing-education deadlines.
Build a compliant business plan for serving clients in Irving and nearby communities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Illinois require college coursework to become a real estate broker?

No college degree is identified as a general prerequisite for an Illinois broker license. The basic education requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent, along with the required 75 hours of approved pre-license education.

Can the Illinois pre-license course be completed online?

Approved distance-education options are available, but the course must meet Illinois requirements. Confirm that the provider and format are currently approved before enrolling.

Do I need a sponsoring broker?

A newly licensed Illinois broker generally must be sponsored by a sponsoring broker to practice.

How many education hours are required before the exam?

Illinois requires 75 hours of approved pre-license education for a broker applicant, including 15 hours of situational and case-study instruction.

What happens after I receive my first broker license?

New brokers must complete 45 hours of post-license education during the first license term, with limited timing exceptions for licenses issued shortly before a renewal deadline.

How much does an Illinois real estate license cost?

The total cost varies because it includes education, examination, fingerprinting, application, and potentially brokerage-related expenses. State fees and procedures should be confirmed through the current IDFPR materials.

Is real estate a salaried career?

Many real estate brokers earn income through commissions, so income is not guaranteed and may fluctuate. Review current public wage data and the compensation plan of each brokerage before choosing this career.

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