How to Get Your Real Estate License in Lemont, Illinois

Becoming a real estate agent in Lemont starts with Illinois broker licensing requirements. A flexible Illinois pre-licensing course can help you complete the required education, prepare for the state and national examinations, and move through the licensing process at a pace that fits your schedule.

Illinois Real Estate License Requirements

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, or IDFPR, establishes the requirements for obtaining an Illinois real estate broker license. Before applying, 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 application process through IDFPR.
Satisfy the state’s background-screening requirements.
Obtain sponsorship from an Illinois sponsoring broker before practicing.

Illinois law requires the 75-hour curriculum to include approved real estate instruction, including a required component involving situational and case-study material. The education must come from an approved Illinois real estate school.

Because IDFPR rules and application instructions can change, applicants should verify the current requirements before enrolling or submitting an application.

Complete the 75-Hour Pre-License Course

The 75-hour Illinois broker pre-license curriculum is the primary education requirement for new applicants. Coursework typically addresses subjects such as:

Real estate principles and practices
Illinois license law and regulations
Agency relationships
Contracts
Property ownership and interests
Financing
Real estate mathematics
Fair housing
Disclosure obligations
Professional conduct
Transaction procedures

The course is intended to prepare applicants for both the national and Illinois-specific portions of the licensing examination.

Online Course Options

Illinois-approved education may be available in several formats, including:

Traditional classroom instruction
Live, interactive online instruction
Online distance education, where permitted by the approved curriculum and provider

An online course can be useful for Lemont residents who want to study around an existing job, family obligations, or commuting schedule. Before paying for a program, confirm that the school and specific course are approved for Illinois broker pre-license credit.

You can review an Illinois real estate pre-licensing option and compare its format, schedule, included materials, and exam-preparation features with other approved providers.

Apply for the Illinois Broker Examination

After completing the required education, applicants must follow the examination registration instructions provided by the state’s testing vendor and IDFPR. The examination includes national and Illinois-specific content.

Applicants should be prepared to provide proof of completed education and meet the testing vendor’s identification and scheduling requirements. Examination results are transmitted to the Illinois Division of Real Estate by the testing vendor.

How to Prepare for the Exam

A practical study plan may include:

Reviewing each section of the course material.
Memorizing Illinois-specific license laws and regulatory requirements.
Practicing real estate math.
Taking timed practice tests.
Reviewing missed questions rather than guessing repeatedly.
Scheduling the examination only after consistently performing well on practice material.

The examination fee, retake procedures, and scheduling details may change. Confirm the current amount and rules directly with the authorized testing vendor before registering.

Background Check and Fingerprinting

Illinois applicants should expect the licensing process to include criminal-history and character-related disclosures. IDFPR may require fingerprints or other background-screening information depending on the application and the applicant’s circumstances.

Fingerprinting must be completed according to current IDFPR instructions and, when required, through an approved vendor. The cost and process can vary by vendor and may change over time, so applicants should review the current IDFPR fingerprint and application instructions before completing this step.

A prior arrest, conviction, or other legal issue does not automatically establish whether an applicant will qualify. Applicants with concerns should disclose information accurately and consider obtaining advice from a qualified attorney rather than omitting information from the application.

Submit the Illinois Broker License Application

Once the education and examination requirements have been satisfied, the applicant submits the Illinois broker license application through the process specified by IDFPR.

The current IDFPR online licensing instructions list a $125 application fee for a real estate broker license. Separate expenses may include:

Pre-license education tuition
Textbooks or study materials
Examination fees
Fingerprinting or background-screening charges
Transportation or administrative expenses
Post-license education

The total cost therefore depends on the education provider, testing arrangements, fingerprint vendor, and whether an applicant needs to retake the examination. Fees should be confirmed before making financial plans because state and vendor charges can change.

Find a Sponsoring Broker

A newly licensed Illinois broker generally cannot practice independently. The broker must be sponsored by a sponsoring broker, usually a licensed managing broker or brokerage company.

A sponsoring broker may provide:

Supervision and compliance oversight
Access to listing and transaction systems
Training and mentoring
Contract and file-review procedures
Brokerage forms and technology
Marketing guidance
Office, virtual, or team resources

Brokerages differ substantially in commission splits, desk fees, technology charges, training, lead programs, and contract terms. Before selecting a brokerage serving Lemont and surrounding communities, ask for a written explanation of all fees and obligations.

Useful questions include:

Is formal training available for new brokers?
Are leads provided, and is there a charge?
What is the commission split?
Are there monthly, transaction, or technology fees?
Who reviews contracts and transaction files?
Is in-person office access available?
Which communities and property types does the brokerage emphasize?
What happens if the broker changes firms?

A license does not guarantee business or income. Sponsorship gives the broker a legal framework for practice, but success still depends on prospecting, market knowledge, client service, negotiation, and transaction management.

Complete the Required 45-Hour Post-License Education

New Illinois brokers must complete 45 hours of post-license education during the first license period. The approved post-license curriculum consists of three 15-hour courses, and each course requires its own final examination.

The post-license education addresses practical areas such as:

Applied brokerage principles
Risk management and discipline
Transaction-related issues

The post-license requirement generally takes the place of the standard continuing-education requirement during the initial license term. If the initial license is issued within the 180 days before the next broker renewal deadline, the deadline may extend to the second renewal deadline under Illinois rules.

Do not assume that completing pre-license education satisfies post-license obligations. They are separate requirements.

Continuing Education After the First License Period

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

The continuing-education curriculum includes:

A core curriculum
An elective curriculum
Fair-housing education within the required core component

Illinois law specifies that the core curriculum must include at least two credit hours of fair-housing training.

Licensees should track course completion and renewal deadlines carefully. A broker should not wait until the final weeks of the renewal period because approved course availability, reporting procedures, and renewal requirements may vary.

How Long Does It Take?

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

How quickly the applicant completes the 75-hour course
Course format and class schedule
Examination availability
Whether the applicant passes on the first attempt
The time needed for fingerprinting or background review
Application processing
How quickly the applicant finds a sponsoring broker

A motivated applicant using an online or scheduled course may complete the education relatively quickly, but the full process can take longer when exam appointments, application review, or background-screening issues arise. Treat any advertised “fast license” timeline as an estimate rather than a guarantee.

Potential Earnings in Lemont and the Chicago Suburbs

Real estate income is usually commission-based and can vary widely. Earnings depend on transaction volume, property prices, commission agreements, brokerage splits, business expenses, referrals, market conditions, and the amount of time spent prospecting and serving clients.

New brokers may earn little or no commission during the early months while building a client base. They may also need to budget for marketing, transportation, association or multiple-listing-system access, technology, insurance, education, and brokerage fees.

Public wage data can provide broad occupational context, but it may not accurately represent the income of an individual commission-based broker in Lemont. Applicants should review current data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and distinguish between employee wage figures and independent or commission-based earnings.

A conservative personal financial plan should assume that income may be irregular at first and should account for taxes, business expenses, and periods without a closing.

Career Opportunities for Illinois Brokers

An Illinois real estate broker can pursue several career directions, subject to licensing, brokerage policies, and applicable laws:

Residential buyer representation
Residential listing services
First-time-homebuyer assistance
Relocation services
New-construction sales
Leasing and rental representation
Investment-property transactions
Land and rural-property sales
Commercial real estate
Property management-related work, where separately permitted
Real estate teams
Referral-based business
Brokerage management after meeting managing-broker requirements

For a Lemont-focused practice, local knowledge can be valuable. Learn the communities, housing inventory, commuting patterns, municipal processes, property taxes, inspection considerations, and neighborhood characteristics that matter to buyers and sellers. Avoid making claims about schools, taxes, development, or market performance without verifying current information from authoritative sources.

Practical Steps for Aspiring Lemont Brokers

Confirm that you meet the age and education prerequisites.
Choose an Illinois-approved 75-hour broker pre-license course.
Complete the required education and retain completion documentation.
Study for the national and Illinois portions of the licensing examination.
Register for and pass the examination.
Complete fingerprinting or background-screening steps required for your application.
Submit the Illinois broker application and current fee to IDFPR.
Interview sponsoring brokerages serving Lemont and nearby communities.
Activate and practice under an approved sponsoring broker.
Complete the required 45-hour post-license education by the applicable deadline.
Complete 12 hours of approved continuing education during later renewal periods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a college degree required to become an Illinois real estate broker?

No. The standard educational prerequisite is a high school diploma or GED. Applicants must also complete the required approved real estate education.

How many education hours are required before the Illinois broker exam?

The current Illinois professional-requirements materials identify 75 hours of pre-license education for a real estate broker.

Can the Illinois pre-license course be completed online?

Approved Illinois education may be available through online distance education or live, interactive online formats. Confirm that the specific provider and course are approved before enrolling.

How much does an Illinois real estate license cost?

IDFPR’s current online licensing instructions list a $125 broker application fee. Education, examination, fingerprinting, and other charges may be separate.

Do new Illinois brokers need a sponsoring broker?

Yes. A new broker generally must be sponsored by a sponsoring broker before practicing real estate.

What education is required after receiving the license?

New brokers must complete 45 hours of post-license education during the first license period, generally consisting of three 15-hour courses with course examinations.

Can a person with a criminal record obtain an Illinois real estate license?

Eligibility depends on the facts and the Department’s review. Applicants should answer all questions truthfully and follow IDFPR instructions. Legal advice may be appropriate for complicated circumstances.

Does an Illinois real estate license guarantee income?

No. Real estate compensation is affected by closings, commission arrangements, brokerage splits, expenses, market conditions, and the broker’s ability to develop business.

Authoritative Sources