If you want to become a real estate agent in Lakewood, Illinois, the first step is completing the state’s required education and preparing for the Illinois real estate broker examination. An approved Illinois pre-licensing course can help you satisfy the education requirement through a structured online or classroom program while preparing for the state and national exam portions.

Illinois generally licenses entry-level real estate professionals as real estate brokers, although many people casually refer to them as real estate agents. After earning a broker license, you must work with a sponsoring broker before providing licensed brokerage services to buyers, sellers, landlords, or tenants.

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.
• Complete 75 hours of approved pre-license education.
• Pass the Illinois real estate licensing examination.
• Complete the required application.
• Satisfy the state’s background-check and fingerprinting requirements, when applicable.
• Obtain sponsorship from an Illinois sponsoring broker before practicing.

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, or IDFPR, administers real estate licensing in the state. Because rules, forms, examination vendors, and fees can change, applicants should confirm the current requirements directly with IDFPR before enrolling or submitting an application.

Complete the Required 75 Hours of Education

Illinois requires 75 hours of approved pre-license education for a real estate broker applicant.

The curriculum is designed to provide foundational knowledge in areas such as:

• Real estate principles and practices.
• Illinois real estate law.
• Agency relationships.
• Contracts and disclosures.
• Fair housing.
• Financing and mortgages.
• Property ownership and transfer.
• Leasing and property management concepts.
• Brokerage operations and professional responsibilities.

The 75-hour requirement includes a portion devoted to situational and case-study instruction. Under Illinois law, this portion must be delivered in an approved classroom, live interactive webinar, or qualifying online distance-education format.

Course providers may organize the instruction differently, so confirm that the specific program is approved for Illinois broker pre-license education. Completing a general real estate course that is not approved by IDFPR will not necessarily satisfy the licensing requirement.

Online Real Estate Courses for Lakewood Residents

Lakewood residents can choose among classroom, live online, and self-paced online education options when available through an approved provider.

Self-paced online courses

Self-paced courses allow students to study according to their own schedules. This format may work well for people balancing work, family responsibilities, or other commitments. Students should verify how the provider handles attendance, identity verification, quizzes, final exams, and any required interactive instruction.

Live online classes

Live webinars provide scheduled instruction with an instructor and other students. They can offer more interaction than a fully self-paced course while avoiding the need to commute to a physical classroom.

Classroom education

Traditional classroom courses may be useful for students who prefer a fixed schedule and direct in-person interaction. The most convenient location may be outside Lakewood, so compare commuting requirements, class times, and provider approval before enrolling.

The safest way to evaluate a course is to check whether the provider and course appear on IDFPR’s current approved education-provider information. A course provider’s marketing claims alone are not a substitute for state approval.

Apply for the Illinois Broker Examination and License

After completing the required education, the next step is to apply through the Illinois licensing process and register for the examination according to the current candidate instructions.

The general process includes:

1. Complete the 75-hour approved pre-license course.
2. Obtain proof of education completion from the provider.
3. Create or access the applicable Illinois licensing account.
4. Submit the broker examination or licensure application as directed.
5. Pay the applicable application fee.
6. Complete the background-check and fingerprinting process if required.
7. Schedule the examination with the authorized testing vendor.
8. Pass both the national and Illinois-specific portions, if administered separately.
9. Affiliate with a sponsoring broker.
10. Receive or activate the license through the state’s licensing system.

IDFPR’s online licensing instructions list a $125 broker application fee, but applicants should confirm the amount and any separate examination, fingerprinting, or processing charges before applying.

Background Checks and Fingerprinting

Illinois may require applicants to submit fingerprints for a criminal-history background check. Fingerprinting is generally completed through an approved vendor or process identified in the state’s application instructions.

A criminal record does not automatically mean an applicant cannot obtain a license. However, applicants should answer disclosure questions accurately and completely. Omissions or inaccurate statements can create separate licensing problems even when an underlying matter might not have prevented licensure.

Because fingerprint procedures, approved vendors, and associated charges can change, review the current IDFPR instructions before scheduling the appointment. Keep all receipts and submission records for your files.

Pass the Illinois Real Estate Exam

The Illinois broker examination tests both general real estate knowledge and Illinois-specific rules. The state materials describe the examination as including national and state components.

Prepare by reviewing:

• Real estate terminology and calculations.
• Property ownership and land-use concepts.
• Contracts, agency, and disclosures.
• Financing and settlement procedures.
• Fair-housing requirements.
• Illinois licensing law and regulations.
• Brokerage relationships and licensee duties.

A pre-license course is intended to prepare you for the examination, but completing the course does not guarantee a passing score. Use the current examination candidate bulletin for registration procedures, identification rules, testing policies, content outlines, and retake information.

If you do not pass, the testing vendor and IDFPR rules determine which portion must be retaken and what additional charges apply. Avoid relying on old study guides because Illinois testing content and procedures can be revised.

Licensing Costs to Budget For

The total cost of becoming a real estate broker varies by applicant and education provider. Common expenses may include:

• Pre-license education tuition.
• Textbooks or digital course materials.
• The state application fee.
• Examination fees.
• Fingerprinting and background-check charges.
• Transportation or technology costs.
• License activation or related transaction charges, if applicable.
• Brokerage expenses after licensing.
• Association, listing-service, marketing, insurance, and business costs.

The current IDFPR online licensing instructions identify a $125 application fee and state that applicable licensing fees are nonrefundable. Course prices and third-party charges are not fixed by that figure, so compare the full cost of each approved education program.

A newly licensed broker should also ask prospective sponsoring brokers about monthly fees, transaction fees, desk fees, commission splits, technology charges, training costs, and marketing requirements. These business terms vary by brokerage and should be reviewed in writing.

How Long Does It Take?

There is no single guaranteed timeline for earning an Illinois real estate license. The process depends on:

• How quickly you complete the 75-hour course.
• Whether the course is self-paced or scheduled.
• Exam appointment availability.
• Fingerprinting and background-check processing.
• Application processing.
• Whether you pass the examination on the first attempt.
• How quickly you select a sponsoring broker.

A student who studies consistently may finish the education requirement relatively quickly, while someone studying part time may take longer. Add time for examination scheduling, application review, and brokerage selection rather than assuming that course completion immediately produces an active license.

Finding a Sponsoring Broker in Lakewood

An Illinois real estate broker generally must be sponsored by a sponsoring broker before practicing. Sponsorship connects the newly licensed broker with an authorized brokerage and provides the supervision and infrastructure required for brokerage activity.

When interviewing firms serving Lakewood and surrounding communities, ask about:

• Commission splits and transaction fees.
• Training for new brokers.
• Mentoring and transaction supervision.
• Lead distribution.
• Office, technology, and marketing fees.
• Availability of managing brokers.
• Geographic coverage.
• Expectations for prospecting and client follow-up.
• Contract review and compliance procedures.
• Whether the firm supports residential sales, leasing, commercial work, or property management.

Do not choose solely on the advertised commission split. A lower split with strong training and transaction support may be more practical for a new broker than a higher split with substantial fees and limited guidance.

Lakewood-based professionals may also evaluate brokerages that serve nearby communities throughout the greater local market. That can expand training and networking opportunities without requiring the article to assume that any particular brokerage, office, or employer operates in the village.

Complete Post-License Education

New Illinois brokers must complete 45 hours of post-license education during the applicable first renewal period. The curriculum consists of three 15-hour courses covering:

• Applied brokerage principles.
• Risk management and discipline.
• Transactional issues.

Each course includes its own final examination, and the education must be completed through an approved provider.

The exact deadline can depend on when the broker license was first issued and the applicable renewal cycle. IDFPR states that brokers licensed during the current cycle must complete the required 45 hours by the deadline specified for that cycle. Check the latest IDFPR renewal information rather than relying on a deadline from an older course or article.

Post-license education is not merely a formality. It helps new brokers build practical skills in transaction management, compliance, risk reduction, and client service.

Continuing Education and License Renewal

After the initial post-license period, Illinois brokers must complete continuing education for each applicable renewal cycle. The number and type of hours can vary according to the broker’s initial license date and the renewal period.

IDFPR’s current materials distinguish between:

• The 45-hour post-license requirement for newer brokers.
• Core continuing education.
• Elective continuing education.
• Sexual-harassment-prevention training included or counted as specified by the applicable curriculum.

All continuing education and post-license courses should be completed through an IDFPR-approved provider. Licensees must also certify compliance when renewing and retain documentation in case the state requests evidence.

Because renewal requirements can change, confirm the current deadline, course categories, and hour totals before beginning renewal education.

Potential Earnings for Illinois Real Estate Professionals

Real estate income is not guaranteed. Many residential brokers are paid through commissions or commission-sharing arrangements, so earnings can vary with transaction volume, property type, market conditions, brokerage terms, expenses, and the time required to build a client base.

For a statewide benchmark, the Illinois Department of Employment Security’s 2025 occupational wage publication reports the following figures:

• Real estate sales agents: mean annual wage of $57,782; median annual wage of $59,760.
• Real estate brokers: mean annual wage of $79,427; median annual wage of $63,110.

These figures are occupational wage estimates, not promises of income for a new Lakewood broker. They may include workers with different experience levels and compensation structures, and they do not necessarily represent take-home pay after taxes, marketing, association dues, insurance, vehicle costs, brokerage fees, or other business expenses.

New brokers should plan for an uneven beginning. Establishing referral relationships, learning local transaction procedures, developing a marketing system, and building repeat and referral business may take time.

Career Opportunities After Licensing

A Lakewood-area real estate broker may pursue several career directions, depending on additional training, business interests, and brokerage opportunities:

• Residential buyer representation.
• Residential listing services.
• Leasing and rental transactions.
• Relocation assistance.
• New-construction sales.
• Commercial real estate.
• Property management-related work, subject to applicable laws and licensing requirements.
• Real estate investment support.
• Transaction coordination or brokerage operations.
• Future advancement toward managing-broker responsibilities.

Some paths require additional experience, education, supervision, or specialized licensing. For example, becoming a managing broker is a separate advancement step with its own age, experience, education, and examination requirements.

How to Start in Lakewood, Illinois

A practical local plan is:

1. Confirm the current IDFPR broker requirements.
2. Choose an approved 75-hour education provider.
3. Complete the course and retain all completion records.
4. Review the current examination candidate bulletin.
5. Submit the application and required fee.
6. Complete fingerprinting and background-check steps as directed.
7. Prepare for and pass the examination.
8. Interview sponsoring brokers that serve Lakewood and nearby communities.
9. Activate or affiliate the license through the required process.
10. Complete the 45-hour post-license curriculum by the applicable deadline.
11. Build a compliant business plan for prospecting, referrals, marketing, and client service.
12. Track renewal and continuing-education deadlines.

For flexible preparation, you can also review the Illinois real estate license course options before selecting a provider. Confirm current course approval and state requirements with IDFPR before making a payment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a real estate agent license called a broker license in Illinois?

Yes. Illinois generally licenses entry-level real estate professionals as real estate brokers. “Real estate agent” is commonly used in conversation, but the state license is generally a broker license.

How many education hours are required?

Illinois requires 75 hours of approved pre-license education for a broker applicant.

Can Lakewood residents complete the course online?

Approved providers may offer online distance education or live interactive webinars. Confirm that the course format and provider are currently approved by IDFPR and that all required interactive components are completed.

How much does an Illinois real estate license cost?

The IDFPR online licensing instructions list a $125 broker application fee. The complete cost is higher when education, examination, fingerprinting, background-check, and business expenses are included. Fees can change, so verify them before applying.

Do I need a sponsoring broker?

Yes. An Illinois broker generally must be sponsored by a sponsoring broker before practicing real estate.

What happens after I pass the exam?

You must complete the applicable licensing and sponsorship steps. Passing the examination alone does not replace the requirement to affiliate with a sponsoring broker before practicing.

Is the 45-hour post-license course required?

Yes. New Illinois brokers generally must complete 45 hours of post-license education during the applicable initial renewal period.

Can I earn a guaranteed salary as a real estate broker?

No. Compensation depends on the brokerage arrangement, transactions, commissions, expenses, experience, and market conditions. Statewide wage estimates provide context but do not guarantee individual earnings.

Authoritative Sources

• Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation — Real Estate Brokerage
• IDFPR Professional Requirements for Licensure
• IDFPR Online Licensing Instructions for Real Estate Brokers
• Illinois Real Estate License Act updates
• IDFPR 45-Hour Broker Post-License Curriculum
• Illinois Department of Employment Security — 2025 Statewide Wage Publication