How to Get Your Real Estate License in Lee, Illinois

If you want to become a real estate agent in Lee, Illinois, the first step is completing an approved Illinois broker pre-licensing course. A flexible Illinois pre-licensing course can help you meet the state education requirement while studying around work or family responsibilities.

Illinois does not issue an entry-level “real estate agent” license. Instead, new professionals generally apply for a real estate broker license through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). A licensed broker may work with buyers, sellers, landlords, and tenants under the supervision of a sponsoring broker.

Illinois Real Estate License Requirements

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

Meet the applicable minimum-age requirement.
Have a high school diploma or GED.
Complete the required Illinois-approved pre-license education.
Pass the Illinois real estate licensing examination.
Complete the required application.
Satisfy IDFPR background-check and fingerprinting requirements, when applicable.
Obtain sponsorship from an Illinois sponsoring broker before practicing.

IDFPR’s professional-requirements materials list a minimum age of 18 for a real estate broker, while the detailed application instructions may describe age and education alternatives for applicants. Because eligibility rules and application forms can change, applicants should confirm their circumstances directly with the current IDFPR instructions before enrolling or applying.

Complete 75 Hours of Pre-License Education

Illinois requires prospective brokers to complete 75 hours of approved pre-license education before taking the licensing examination. The coursework must come from an education provider and curriculum approved by IDFPR.

The required education typically covers subjects such as:

Real estate principles and practices
Illinois real estate law
Agency relationships
Contracts
Fair housing
Financing
Property ownership and transfer
Real estate calculations
Professional responsibilities

A course provider should clearly identify whether its program satisfies Illinois’s current 75-hour broker pre-license requirement. Avoid relying on a course marketed for another state or an outdated Illinois curriculum.

Online Illinois Pre-Licensing Courses

Online study can be a practical option for someone living in Lee or the surrounding area, particularly if regular classroom attendance is difficult. Online programs may offer self-paced lessons, scheduled virtual instruction, practice questions, and digital course records.

Before purchasing an online course, confirm that:

The provider is approved for Illinois broker pre-license education.
The program includes the full 75 hours required by Illinois.
The course explains attendance, testing, and completion rules.
You will receive documentation needed for the license application or exam process.
The provider’s curriculum is current under IDFPR requirements.

An online course does not eliminate the licensing examination, application, fingerprinting, or sponsoring-broker requirements. It simply provides a different way to complete the education component.

Apply for the Illinois Broker License

After completing the required education and passing the examination, submit the Illinois broker license application through the process specified by IDFPR. The application generally requires personal information, education details, examination information, and disclosures about criminal history or other matters that could affect eligibility.

IDFPR provides online licensing resources and application instructions through its Division of Real Estate. Applicants should use the current application rather than an older form downloaded from an unofficial website.

Application fees

The initial broker license fee should be confirmed on the current IDFPR application or fee schedule before filing. Official Illinois materials have shown different fee amounts across documents and periods, so quoting one amount without checking the current application could be misleading.

In addition to the state application fee, budget for possible costs such as:

Pre-license education
Examination fees
Fingerprinting and background-check services
Study materials or practice examinations
Electronic payment or processing charges
Professional expenses after licensing

Fees are subject to change and may be nonrefundable.

Background Check and Fingerprinting

Illinois may require applicants to complete a criminal-background investigation and submit fingerprints through an approved vendor. Fingerprinting requirements can depend on the application type, prior licensing history, and IDFPR instructions in effect when the application is submitted.

A criminal record does not necessarily mean automatic denial. However, applicants should disclose information accurately and follow IDFPR’s instructions for explanations, court documents, or other supporting records. Failing to disclose required information can create a separate licensing problem.

Because vendor availability, forms, and procedures can change, use the fingerprint-vendor information linked from the current IDFPR Division of Real Estate materials rather than relying on an old checklist.

Pass the Illinois Real Estate Exam

The Illinois broker examination includes state and national real estate content. Candidates must pass the examination administered by the state’s contracted testing vendor before applying for licensure or completing the remaining licensing steps required by IDFPR.

Preparation usually involves:

Reviewing the full course material
Taking practice tests
Memorizing real estate vocabulary and formulas
Studying Illinois-specific license law
Reviewing agency, contracts, financing, and fair-housing rules
Reading the current candidate handbook

If you do not pass, follow the testing vendor’s retake instructions. Additional examination charges and waiting periods may apply, so confirm those details in the current candidate handbook.

Sponsoring Broker Requirements

A newly licensed Illinois broker generally must be sponsored by an Illinois sponsoring broker before conducting licensed real estate activity. The sponsoring broker is responsible for supervision and provides the brokerage relationship through which the new broker practices.

When evaluating brokerages serving Lee and nearby communities, ask about:

Commission splits and transaction fees
Training for new brokers
Mentoring and supervision
Lead-generation expectations
Office, technology, and marketing charges
Multiple-listing-service access
Contract review and transaction support
Geographic coverage
Independent-contractor agreements
Errors-and-omissions insurance arrangements

The highest commission split is not always the best choice for a new broker. Strong supervision, practical training, and reliable transaction support may be more valuable during the first year.

How Long Does It Take?

The timeline varies. Someone studying full time may finish the education relatively quickly, while a person studying part time may need longer. The overall process also depends on:

Course availability and completion speed
Exam scheduling
Whether the exam must be retaken
Fingerprint and background-check processing
Application review
Finding a sponsoring broker
Any additional documentation requested by IDFPR

Illinois does not guarantee one universal processing time for every applicant. Plan around the official course, exam, and application instructions rather than an advertised “guaranteed” timeline.

Post-License Education

New Illinois brokers must complete 45 hours of post-license education during the first renewal period, according to IDFPR’s professional-requirements summary.

Post-license education is separate from the initial 75-hour pre-license course. It is designed to help newly licensed brokers transition into practice and may address transaction procedures, brokerage responsibilities, risk reduction, and other practical subjects.

Confirm the applicable deadline and approved course requirements with IDFPR. Missing post-license education can affect renewal or the ability to maintain an active license.

Continuing Education and License Renewal

After the first renewal period, Illinois brokers must complete continuing education for each renewal cycle. IDFPR identifies a 6-hour core continuing-education curriculum for brokers, along with additional applicable education requirements.

Continuing-education rules may include:

A core course
Elective education
License-renewal deadlines
Additional requirements for managing brokers or other license categories
Education completed through approved providers

Requirements can change between renewal periods. Track the renewal date shown in IDFPR’s licensing system and verify the current education cycle before enrolling.

Potential Earnings in Illinois

Real estate income is usually commission-based rather than guaranteed salary. Earnings can vary substantially based on transaction volume, property prices, commission arrangements, brokerage fees, expenses, market conditions, and the amount of time spent prospecting and serving clients.

Illinois wage data published by the Illinois Department of Employment Security lists mean annual wages of $57,782 for real estate sales agents and $79,427 for real estate brokers in the cited statewide occupational data. These figures are statewide wage estimates, not a guarantee of what a newly licensed broker in Lee will earn, and they may include professionals with different levels of experience.

New brokers should plan for uneven income, especially during the first months of business. A realistic budget may need to account for:

Transportation
Advertising and marketing
Association or MLS costs
Brokerage and transaction fees
Insurance
Technology
Continuing education
Taxes and business expenses

Ask prospective brokerages for a written explanation of all compensation arrangements and recurring costs.

Career Opportunities for a Licensed Broker

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

Residential buyer representation
Residential listing services
Commercial real estate
Land and agricultural-property transactions
Leasing and rental services
Relocation assistance
Property-management-related activities, where permitted
New-construction sales
Real estate investment support
Transaction coordination or brokerage administration

For someone based in Lee, local work may involve building relationships across a broader service area rather than limiting business to the village itself. Before choosing a niche, evaluate commuting needs, property types, client demand, brokerage coverage, and the licensing rules that apply to the services you want to provide.

Suggested Path for Lee Residents

A practical sequence is:

Review the current IDFPR broker requirements.
Enroll in an approved 75-hour Illinois pre-license course.
Complete the course and retain all completion documentation.
Study for and schedule the Illinois broker examination.
Pass the required state and national exam portions.
Complete fingerprinting or background-check steps required for your application.
Submit the broker application and required fee.
Interview sponsoring brokerages serving Lee and nearby communities.
Confirm sponsorship before performing licensed activities.
Complete the required 45-hour post-license education during the first renewal period.
Complete continuing education for later renewals.

For course information, review the Illinois broker pre-licensing program and compare its curriculum with the current IDFPR requirements before enrolling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a college degree to become a broker in Illinois?

No. Illinois generally requires a high school diploma or GED rather than a college degree. Some age or education alternatives may apply, so verify the current IDFPR application instructions for your situation.

Is the Illinois pre-license course available online?

Online options are available when offered by an appropriately approved education provider. Confirm that the specific course satisfies Illinois’s current 75-hour broker curriculum.

Can I work independently immediately after passing the exam?

Generally, a newly licensed broker must be sponsored by an Illinois sponsoring broker before practicing. Passing the exam alone does not replace the sponsorship requirement.

How much does it cost to get licensed?

The total cost includes education, examination, fingerprinting, the state application fee, and possible processing or business expenses. State fees can change, and official materials may differ by application period, so check the current IDFPR fee schedule and application before paying.

How much can a real estate broker earn in Lee?

There is no authoritative guarantee for an individual Lee broker’s income. Statewide Illinois wage data provides a broad reference point, but actual earnings depend on experience, transactions, commission agreements, expenses, and local business conditions.

What education is required after I receive the license?

Illinois requires 45 hours of post-license education during the first renewal period. Brokers must complete continuing education during subsequent renewal cycles.

Authoritative Sources