How to Get Your Real Estate License in Kansas, Illinois

If you want to become a real estate agent serving Kansas and nearby communities, the first step is completing Illinois-approved pre-licensing education. An online option such as the Illinois pre-licensing course from Leap Real Estate can help you meet the education requirement while studying on a flexible schedule.

Illinois generally licenses entry-level real estate professionals as brokers. To practice with an active license, a new broker must pass the state licensing process and work under an Illinois sponsoring broker. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, or IDFPR, oversees licensing, education, examinations, renewals, and disciplinary matters.

Illinois Real Estate Broker Requirements

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

Be at least 18 years old.
Have a high school diploma or GED.
Complete the required approved pre-license education.
Pass the Illinois real estate licensing examination.
Complete the application and pay the required fee.
Satisfy IDFPR background-check and fingerprinting requirements when applicable.
Obtain sponsorship from an Illinois sponsoring broker for an active license.

IDFPR’s professional requirements document identifies the broker pathway as requiring 75 hours of pre-license education, a passing score on the state and national examination, sponsorship by a sponsoring broker, and 45 hours of post-license education during the first renewal period.

Applicants should verify requirements directly with IDFPR before enrolling or applying because forms, fees, testing vendors, and administrative procedures can change.

Complete 75 Hours of Approved Education

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

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

The 15-hour component must involve situational and case-study instruction delivered in an approved format, such as classroom instruction, a live interactive webinar, or qualifying online distance education.

The course must be completed through an education provider approved by IDFPR. Completing an unapproved course may not satisfy the licensing requirement, so confirm the provider’s Illinois approval before paying tuition.

Online Course Options

Online education can be useful for residents of Kansas who want to study around work, family, or commuting obligations. Depending on the provider and course format, online programs may include:

Self-paced lessons
Online quizzes and progress tracking
Digital textbooks or study materials
Instructor support
Live interactive webinars
Practice examinations

Not every online course is structured the same way. Before enrolling, confirm that the program includes all 75 required hours and that its delivery method satisfies the Illinois curriculum rules. The Illinois pre-licensing course is one option to review when comparing approved programs.

Apply for the Illinois Broker License

After completing the education requirement and passing the examination, submit the broker application through IDFPR’s licensing system or by the method specified in the current application instructions.

The application typically requires information such as:

Personal identifying details
Education completion documentation
Examination results
Criminal-history disclosures, if applicable
Sponsoring broker information for an active license
Application-fee payment

IDFPR’s online broker licensing instructions identify a $125 application fee, while another IDFPR professional brochure lists a $150 initial broker fee. Because official materials show different amounts, confirm the fee displayed in the current application system or contact IDFPR before submitting payment. Fees may be nonrefundable.

Applicants licensed in another state may qualify for Illinois licensure by endorsement rather than following the standard first-time applicant process. Endorsement requirements can include an active license in good standing, license-history certification, an Illinois-specific examination, and other documentation.

Background Check and Fingerprinting

Illinois applicants should expect the licensing process to involve criminal-history review and may be required to complete fingerprinting through an approved vendor or process designated by IDFPR.

A criminal record does not automatically mean an applicant cannot obtain a license. However, applicants must answer disclosure questions accurately and provide any documents requested by the Department. A failure to disclose required information can create a separate licensing problem.

Because fingerprinting procedures and vendor instructions can change, follow the current directions provided during the Illinois application process rather than relying on an older checklist.

Pass the Illinois Real Estate Exam

The Illinois broker examination includes both:

A national portion covering general real estate principles and practices
A state portion covering Illinois laws, rules, and brokerage procedures

Applicants must pass the examination administered by the state’s contracted testing vendor. IDFPR materials indicate that examination results are transmitted directly to the Division of Real Estate by the testing vendor.

Strong preparation usually includes:

Reviewing the approved course material
Learning Illinois-specific license law and agency rules
Practicing real estate math
Studying contracts, disclosures, financing, and closing procedures
Taking timed practice exams
Reading the current examination candidate handbook

If you do not pass, review the current retake rules and scheduling procedures before booking another attempt. Testing fees and retake policies are separate from the state application fee and may change.

Sponsoring Broker Requirements

A newly licensed broker generally cannot practice independently. To hold an active Illinois broker license, the broker must be sponsored by an Illinois-licensed sponsoring broker or brokerage firm.

A sponsoring broker typically provides:

Supervision
Brokerage policies and procedures
Transaction guidance
Document review
Training and professional support
Access to brokerage systems and forms

Before choosing a brokerage, compare more than the commission split. Ask about desk fees, transaction fees, technology charges, training, mentorship, lead programs, marketing support, required office time, and termination policies.

Kansas residents should also determine whether the brokerage can effectively support business in the communities and property types they intend to serve. Do not assume that a brokerage’s presence in one Illinois market guarantees service coverage in Kansas or surrounding areas.

Estimated Timeline

The timeline varies by applicant and course schedule. A typical sequence is:

Confirm eligibility and select an IDFPR-approved education provider.
Complete the 75-hour pre-license course.
Schedule and pass the Illinois broker examination.
Complete fingerprinting and background-check steps as required.
Select a sponsoring broker.
Submit the license application and fee.
Wait for IDFPR processing and license activation.

A full-time student may finish the education portion relatively quickly, while a part-time student may take longer. Exam availability, application completeness, fingerprint processing, and IDFPR processing times can also affect the overall timeline. No fixed completion time should be assumed.

Costs to Budget For

The total cost is more than the state application fee. Potential expenses include:

Pre-license education tuition
Textbooks or digital study materials
Course-final-examination or administration charges, if imposed by the provider
State licensing examination fee
Retake fees, if necessary
Fingerprinting and background-check charges
Illinois license application fee
Association or multiple-listing-service fees, if applicable
Brokerage, technology, marketing, insurance, and transaction expenses

The official IDFPR materials reviewed list different broker application-fee amounts, so verify the current amount before applying. Private course and brokerage costs vary and should be compared in writing.

First Renewal: 45 Hours of Post-License Education

New Illinois brokers must complete 45 hours of post-license education during the first renewal period.

IDFPR’s current broker renewal information states that the 45-hour post-license curriculum applies to brokers in the relevant first-licensure periods and includes the required sexual-harassment-prevention content.

Post-license education is different from the initial 75-hour course. It is intended to help new brokers transition from exam preparation to practical work, including transaction procedures, risk management, brokerage responsibilities, and professional conduct.

Complete the education through an IDFPR-approved provider and retain completion records.

Ongoing Continuing Education

After the first renewal period, Illinois brokers must complete continuing education for each renewal period. The amount and course structure can depend on when the license was first issued and the renewal cycle involved.

IDFPR’s current information identifies continuing-education requirements that may include a core course, elective education, and sexual-harassment-prevention training for applicable licensees.

Because Illinois periodically updates renewal requirements, check the current IDFPR renewal fact sheet before taking courses. Completing the wrong number or type of hours may delay renewal.

Potential Earnings as an Illinois Real Estate Agent

Real estate brokers commonly earn income through commissions or other compensation connected to completed transactions. Income is not guaranteed, and a new broker may earn little or no commission during periods without closings.

Actual take-home income can be affected by:

Number and value of closed transactions
Commission arrangements
Brokerage splits and transaction fees
Lead-generation and marketing expenses
Mileage, technology, insurance, and association costs
Taxes and self-employment obligations
Local housing conditions
Experience, referrals, and repeat business

Public wage data can help describe the occupation, but it should not be treated as a promise of income for a Kansas-area broker. Commission-based real estate earnings can differ substantially from wage-based occupations, and local results may not match statewide or national estimates.

A practical first-year budget should assume uneven income and include adequate savings for education, licensing, transportation, marketing, and business expenses.

Career Opportunities in and Around Kansas

A Kansas-based Illinois broker may explore several areas of real estate, subject to the license, brokerage supervision, and applicable laws:

Residential buyer representation
Residential listing services
Relocation assistance
Rental and leasing services
New-construction sales
Land and acreage transactions
Farm and rural property
Commercial real estate
Property-management-related roles
Real estate referral business
Transaction coordination or brokerage operations

Local relevance comes from understanding the people and property in the communities served. Build knowledge of neighborhood boundaries, schools and public services, zoning, taxes, transportation, flood considerations, utility arrangements, and common transaction practices without making claims that cannot be verified.

A strong Kansas-area business plan should also identify the brokerage’s service territory, the types of clients it accepts, and whether additional licensing or compliance rules apply to activities outside Illinois.

Practical Steps for Success

Passing the exam is only the beginning. New brokers can improve their prospects by:

Choosing a sponsoring broker with structured training.
Finding a mentor who regularly closes transactions.
Learning the brokerage’s contracts and compliance procedures.
Building a database of personal and professional contacts.
Developing a realistic marketing budget.
Responding promptly and documenting client communications.
Studying fair-housing obligations and advertising rules.
Tracking business expenses and setting aside money for taxes.
Creating a system for follow-up after each inquiry and closing.
Continuing education beyond the minimum requirement.

Avoid promising clients results that depend on market conditions, financing, inspections, appraisals, or other third parties. Accurate communication and careful documentation are essential parts of a sustainable real estate career.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old must I be to become an Illinois real estate broker?

The standard professional-requirements document lists 18 as the minimum age for a real estate broker. IDFPR application instructions should be checked carefully because eligibility provisions and exceptions may affect how an applicant qualifies.

How many education hours are required?

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

Can I complete the course online?

Online education may qualify if it is provided in an IDFPR-approved format by an approved education provider. Confirm that the specific program satisfies the 75-hour curriculum and any live-instruction requirements.

Do I need a sponsoring broker?

Yes, a new broker generally needs an Illinois sponsoring broker or brokerage firm to practice with an active license.

Is fingerprinting required?

Applicants should follow the current IDFPR background-check and fingerprinting instructions. The exact process, vendor, and fee can vary, so use the directions associated with the current application.

How much does the license cost?

Official IDFPR materials currently show different broker application-fee amounts, including $125 in online instructions and $150 in an IDFPR brochure. Confirm the amount in the current application system before submitting payment. Education, examination, fingerprinting, and brokerage expenses are additional.

What education is required after I become licensed?

A new broker must generally complete 45 hours of post-license education during the first renewal period. Ongoing continuing education is required for later renewals.

Can I guarantee a specific income?

No. Real estate compensation depends on closings, commission agreements, expenses, market conditions, and individual business development. Public earnings figures are estimates and should not be treated as a promise.

Authoritative Sources

Illinois Real Estate Broker Requirements

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

Be at least 18 years old.
Have a high school diploma or GED.
Complete the required approved pre-license education.
Pass the Illinois real estate licensing examination.
Complete the application and pay the required fee.
Satisfy IDFPR background-check and fingerprinting requirements when applicable.
Obtain sponsorship from an Illinois sponsoring broker for an active license.

Applicants should verify requirements directly with IDFPR before enrolling or applying because forms, fees, testing vendors, and administrative procedures can change.