How to Get Your Real Estate License in Montgomery, Illinois

If you want to become a real estate agent in Montgomery, Illinois, you must first earn an Illinois real estate broker license. A state-approved Illinois pre-licensing course can help you complete the required education, prepare for the licensing exam, and understand the next steps toward working with a sponsoring brokerage.

Illinois Real Estate License Requirements

Illinois generally requires prospective real estate brokers to meet these basic qualifications:

Be at least 18 years old.
Have a high school diploma or equivalent, such as a GED.
Complete the required pre-license education.
Pass the Illinois real estate licensing examination.
Complete the application process through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, or IDFPR.
Satisfy applicable background-check and fingerprinting requirements.
Obtain sponsorship from an Illinois-licensed sponsoring broker before practicing with an active license.

IDFPR identifies the minimum age for a broker applicant as 18 and requires a high school diploma or GED.

A real estate broker license is the entry-level Illinois license for individuals who want to represent buyers, sellers, landlords, or tenants in real estate transactions. “Broker” is the state licensing title, although many consumers refer to licensed brokers as real estate agents or sales agents.

Complete 75 Hours of Pre-License Education

Illinois requires 75 hours of approved pre-license education for a real estate broker applicant. The education must be completed through a provider and curriculum approved by IDFPR. Only approved education providers can offer courses that satisfy Illinois real estate licensing requirements.

Your education program generally covers subjects such as:

Real estate principles and practices
Illinois license law and regulations
Agency relationships
Contracts
Fair housing
Property ownership and interests
Financing
Valuation and market analysis
Leasing and property management
Professional responsibilities

Course providers determine their own tuition, schedules, materials, and delivery formats. Before enrolling, confirm that the provider and course are currently approved by IDFPR.

Online Course Options

Online education may be a convenient option for Montgomery residents who need to study around work, family, or other commitments. Depending on the provider and course approval, options may include self-paced online learning, scheduled virtual instruction, or live interactive webinars.

When comparing online programs, check:

Whether the provider is approved by IDFPR
Whether the course includes all required hours
Attendance and identity-verification rules
Exam-preparation resources
Technical requirements
Refund and course-completion policies
Whether final-course testing is included

An online course can satisfy the education requirement, but it does not eliminate the state licensing examination or the application, background-check, sponsorship, and renewal steps. Review the current course details at the Illinois pre-licensing course page before registering.

Apply for the Illinois Broker Examination

After completing the required education, you must register for and pass the Illinois real estate broker licensing examination. The examination includes state and national portions, according to IDFPR’s professional licensing requirements.

The testing vendor provides the examination schedule, registration instructions, testing policies, and score information. Examination appointments and available testing locations can change, so use the current instructions supplied by IDFPR and the authorized testing vendor.

A practical study plan should include:

Reviewing Illinois license law
Learning key real estate terminology
Practicing agency and contract questions
Studying finance and property calculations
Taking timed practice exams
Reviewing any sections missed on practice tests

Passing the course final exam is not the same as passing the Illinois licensing examination. Both steps may be required before licensure.

Background Check and Fingerprinting

Illinois applicants may need to complete a criminal-history background check and submit fingerprints as part of the licensing process. Fingerprint procedures, approved vendors, forms, and timing can change, so follow the current IDFPR instructions associated with your application.

Disclose criminal or disciplinary history accurately. An arrest, conviction, prior license discipline, or other issue does not automatically answer whether an applicant can be licensed, but omissions or inaccurate information can create additional problems. If your history is complicated, consider obtaining legal advice before submitting the application.

Submit the License Application

Once you have completed education and passed the required examination, submit the Illinois broker license application through the process specified by IDFPR.

The application typically requires documentation such as:

Proof of education or course completion
Examination results
Proof of identity and education
Background-check or fingerprint information, if required
Sponsorship information for an active license
The applicable application fee

IDFPR’s online broker licensing instructions list a $125 application fee for a real estate broker license. Fees and procedures can change, so confirm the amount before applying.

The Illinois license application process may be completed online when available. If an application requires additional documentation or review, processing can take longer. Avoid advertising or performing licensed activities until your license status and sponsorship are active.

Find a Sponsoring Broker

A newly licensed Illinois broker generally needs sponsorship from an actively licensed Illinois sponsoring broker before conducting real estate activities for compensation. IDFPR lists sponsorship as a requirement for a broker license.

The sponsoring brokerage provides supervision, training, transaction support, and access to the systems needed to serve clients. In Montgomery, you may compare brokerages serving the surrounding Fox Valley and greater Chicago-area markets, but verify each firm’s current licensing status and whether it is accepting new brokers.

Questions to ask a prospective sponsoring broker include:

What training is provided to new brokers?
Are there desk fees, technology fees, or transaction fees?
How are commissions divided?
Are leads provided?
What insurance or compliance support is available?
Is there a minimum sales or activity requirement?
How are clients and transactions assigned?
What continuing education support is offered?
Can the brokerage explain its independent-contractor or employee arrangement?

Commission structures vary substantially. A higher advertised commission split may come with higher fees or fewer services, while a lower split may include training, leads, office support, or transaction coordination.

Expected Costs

The total cost of becoming an Illinois real estate broker varies by provider and individual circumstances. Common expenses may include:

Pre-license education tuition
Course textbooks or digital materials
Course examination or administrative fees, if charged by the provider
State licensing examination fees
Fingerprinting and background-check fees, if required
Illinois license application fee
Professional association or multiple-listing-service expenses after joining a brokerage
Marketing, transportation, technology, and business expenses

The IDFPR broker application fee is listed as $125 in the state’s online licensing instructions. Education, examination, fingerprinting, brokerage, and business costs are not necessarily fixed by the state and should be verified before payment.

How Long Does It Take?

There is no single guaranteed timeline for becoming licensed in Montgomery. The timeframe depends on:

How quickly you complete the 75-hour course
Course availability and testing schedules
Examination results
Fingerprinting and background-check processing
Application completeness
IDFPR processing time
How quickly you select a sponsoring broker

A self-paced online student may finish education on a different schedule from someone attending live classes. Build extra time into your plan for retesting, document corrections, or requests for additional information.

Complete Post-License Education

New Illinois broker licensees must complete 45 hours of post-license education during the applicable initial licensing period. The curriculum consists of three 15-hour courses, and each course requires its own 50-question final examination.

The post-license curriculum addresses practical areas such as:

Applied brokerage principles
Risk management and discipline
Transactional issues

The 45-hour post-license requirement is separate from the initial 75-hour pre-license education. The courses may also satisfy the continuing-education requirement for the initial broker license term, as provided by Illinois law.

Check your license issue date and the applicable renewal deadline carefully. Illinois law provides a later deadline for certain licensees whose first license is issued within the 180 days before the next broker renewal deadline.

Continuing Education and License Renewal

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

Continuing education helps licensees remain current on:

License law
Fair housing
Agency and fiduciary duties
Risk management
Advertising
Contracts and transactions
Changes affecting real estate practice

Renewal deadlines, approved course categories, and exemptions can vary. Use the current IDFPR renewal guidance rather than relying on an old course advertisement or informal advice.

Potential Earnings in Montgomery, Illinois

Real estate income is not guaranteed. Many brokers are paid through commissions, and earnings can vary based on transaction volume, property prices, commission agreements, brokerage splits, expenses, market conditions, and the time required to build a referral network.

A new broker may have limited income during the early months while developing clients and learning transaction procedures. Business expenses can continue even when no transaction closes.

For compensation research, consult current occupational wage information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and distinguish between:

Real estate sales agents
Real estate brokers
Employees and self-employed professionals
Statewide data and local-area data

Statewide or national wage data should not be treated as a guaranteed salary for a broker in Montgomery. Ask prospective brokerages for a written explanation of commission splits, fees, and typical onboarding expenses before affiliating.

Career Opportunities After Licensing

An Illinois broker license can support several real estate career directions, depending on experience, training, and brokerage affiliation:

Residential buyer representation
Residential listing services
Rental and leasing services
Relocation assistance
New-construction sales
Commercial real estate
Land and investment property
Property management-related work, where separately permitted
Real estate referrals
Transaction coordination or brokerage operations

A broker who wants to manage other licensees may later pursue an Illinois managing broker license. IDFPR’s requirements include being at least 20, holding broker experience for two of the preceding three years, completing the required managing-broker education, and passing the applicable examination.

A Practical Checklist for Montgomery Applicants

Use this sequence as a general planning guide:

Confirm that you meet Illinois age and education requirements.
Select an IDFPR-approved 75-hour broker pre-license course.
Complete the education and required course examination.
Register for the Illinois broker licensing examination.
Pass the state and national examination portions.
Complete fingerprinting and the background check if required.
Submit the broker license application and applicable fee.
Interview Illinois sponsoring brokerages.
Confirm active sponsorship before practicing.
Complete the required 45-hour post-license education.
Complete continuing education during later renewal periods.
Track license status and renewal deadlines through IDFPR.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Montgomery residents take the Illinois real estate course online?

Yes, online options may be available through approved education providers. Confirm the provider’s current IDFPR approval and course format before enrolling.

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

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

Is a sponsoring broker required?

Sponsorship is required for an active Illinois broker license and for practicing under a brokerage. Speak with prospective firms before applying so the sponsorship documentation is handled correctly.

How much does the Illinois license application cost?

IDFPR’s online broker instructions list a $125 application fee. Other costs, including education, testing, fingerprinting, and brokerage expenses, may apply.

What education is required after getting the license?

New Illinois brokers must complete 45 hours of post-license education during the applicable initial period. The requirement consists of three 15-hour courses with separate final examinations.

Does an Illinois real estate license guarantee a salary?

No. Real estate compensation commonly depends on commissions and business activity. Earnings vary by transactions, brokerage arrangements, expenses, market conditions, and experience.

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