If you want to become a real estate agent in North Riverside, Illinois, the first step is completing the state-required education and preparing for the Illinois broker licensing exam. An approved online program such as the Illinois pre-licensing course from Leap can help you complete the required coursework on a flexible schedule while preparing for the licensing process.

North Riverside is a village in Cook County, and real estate professionals serving the area must meet Illinois licensing requirements rather than a separate municipal licensing standard. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) regulates real estate broker licenses throughout the state.

Illinois Real Estate License Requirements

To apply 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 broker pre-license education.
• Pass the Illinois real estate licensing examination.
• Complete the required application through IDFPR.
• Satisfy the state’s background-check and fingerprinting requirements.
• Obtain sponsorship from an Illinois sponsoring broker before practicing.

IDFPR identifies the Illinois real estate broker pathway as requiring a minimum age of 18, a high school diploma or GED, 75 hours of pre-license education, passage of the state and national examination, and sponsorship by a sponsoring broker.

A real estate broker license is the standard entry-level license for individuals who want to represent buyers, sellers, landlords, or tenants in Illinois. The managing broker license is a more advanced credential with additional experience and education requirements.

Complete the 75-Hour Pre-License Course

Illinois requires 75 hours of approved pre-license education before an applicant can take the broker licensing examination.

The coursework covers foundational subjects such as:

• Real estate principles.
• Illinois license law.
• Agency relationships.
• Contracts.
• Real estate finance.
• Property ownership and transfer.
• Fair housing.
• Illinois-specific brokerage practices.
• Professional responsibilities and disclosures.

The course must be offered by an education provider and in a format approved by IDFPR. Before enrolling, confirm that the provider and course are currently approved for Illinois broker pre-license education.

Online Real Estate Courses in Illinois

Online education can be a practical option for North Riverside residents who need flexibility around work, school, family, or commuting. Depending on the provider and approval status, online instruction may allow students to complete lessons from home and study at their own pace.

Before choosing an online program, check:

• Whether the provider is approved by IDFPR.
• Whether the course includes all 75 required hours.
• Whether the program is self-paced, live online, or a combination.
• How attendance and course completion are documented.
• Whether exam preparation is included.
• What technical support and student assistance are available.
• Whether tuition includes required course materials or practice tests.

Completing a course does not itself grant a license. After finishing the education requirement, the applicant must still pass the licensing examination, complete the application, satisfy the background-check requirements, and arrange sponsorship.

For a flexible preparation option, prospective agents can review the Illinois real estate pre-licensing program before enrolling.

Apply for the Illinois Broker Examination

After completing the required education, applicants generally receive documentation confirming course completion. The next step is registering for the Illinois real estate broker examination through the examination vendor designated by the state.

The Illinois exam includes state-specific content and a national portion. Applicants must pass the required examination components under the current testing rules before moving forward with licensure.

Examination procedures can include:

• Creating an examination account.
• Submitting eligibility information.
• Scheduling a testing appointment.
• Presenting acceptable identification.
• Following testing-center security rules.
• Paying the current examination fee.
• Retaking only the portion permitted under the current examination policy if a section is not passed.

Because testing vendors, fees, score requirements, and scheduling procedures may change, review the current IDFPR examination instructions and vendor handbook before booking an appointment.

How to Prepare for the Exam

A strong study plan should combine the required course with deliberate exam preparation:

• Review Illinois license law separately from general real estate principles.
• Use practice questions to identify weak areas.
• Memorize important formulas, terminology, and agency concepts.
• Study contracts, disclosures, fair housing, and financing.
• Schedule the exam soon after completing the course if the material is still fresh.
• Confirm the testing appointment and identification requirements in advance.

If an applicant does not pass, the retesting process and waiting periods depend on current state and testing-vendor rules.

Background Check and Fingerprinting

Illinois requires applicants to satisfy criminal-history review requirements as part of the licensing process. This typically involves submitting fingerprints through an approved process so that a background check can be conducted.

Applicants should:

• Use an approved fingerprint vendor or process identified by IDFPR.
• Follow the instructions for electronic or other accepted fingerprint submission.
• Keep confirmation documents and receipts.
• Disclose requested legal or disciplinary history accurately.
• Contact IDFPR if a prior conviction, license action, or other issue may affect the application.

A criminal record does not automatically mean an applicant cannot obtain a license. However, omissions or inaccurate answers can create additional problems. Applicants with potentially disqualifying or complicated history should seek qualified legal advice and contact IDFPR for licensing guidance.

Submit the Illinois Broker License Application

Once the education, exam, and background-check requirements are addressed, the applicant submits the broker license application through the process specified by IDFPR.

The application may require:

• Personal identifying information.
• Proof of education completion.
• Examination results.
• Background-check information.
• Required disclosures.
• Sponsoring-broker information.
• Payment of the current application or licensing fee.

Application fees are subject to change. Rather than relying on an older amount published by a school or third-party website, confirm the current fee directly through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

An application can take longer if information is incomplete, documents are missing, fingerprints cannot be matched, or additional review is required.

Find a Sponsoring Broker in North Riverside or Nearby

Illinois requires a new broker to be sponsored by a sponsoring broker before conducting licensed real estate activities.

A sponsoring broker is generally the managing broker or brokerage organization responsible for supervising sponsored licensees. The sponsoring brokerage may provide:

• Transaction supervision.
• Brokerage forms and systems.
• Training and onboarding.
• Legal and compliance procedures.
• Lead-generation or marketing resources.
• Technology platforms.
• Commission and fee structures.
• Guidance on local business practices.

When comparing brokerages serving North Riverside, ask about:

• Commission splits and transaction fees.
• Monthly desk, technology, or administrative charges.
• Training for new agents.
• Mentorship and supervision.
• Lead distribution.
• Marketing policies.
• Availability of office or virtual support.
• Expectations for prospecting and production.
• Independent-contractor or employee classification.
• Errors-and-omissions insurance arrangements.

A brokerage’s commission split is only one part of the financial picture. A lower split may come with stronger training or leads, while a higher split may involve more personal responsibility and expenses.

What Does an Illinois Real Estate License Cost?

The total cost varies by applicant and provider. Common expenses may include:

• Pre-license education tuition.
• Textbooks or digital course materials.
• Practice exams or exam-preparation products.
• Examination registration and testing fees.
• Fingerprinting and background-check fees.
• The state license application fee.
• Brokerage, association, technology, marketing, and insurance costs after licensing.

The cost of the required education varies by school and course format. State and testing fees can also change, so applicants should verify each amount before payment.

A realistic budget should include both licensing expenses and the cost of starting a business. New agents may have expenses before receiving their first commission, including transportation, marketing, professional clothing, photography, technology, and association or multiple-listing-service charges where applicable.

How Long Does It Take to Get Licensed?

There is no single guaranteed timeline. The process may take several weeks or longer depending on:

• How quickly the applicant completes the 75-hour course.
• Exam availability.
• Whether the applicant passes on the first attempt.
• Fingerprint-processing time.
• Application completeness.
• IDFPR review time.
• How quickly the applicant selects a sponsoring broker.

A self-paced student may finish the education faster than someone studying part time, but completing the course quickly does not guarantee a faster license. Scheduling and application processing are outside the applicant’s sole control.

Complete Required Post-License Education

New Illinois broker licensees must complete 45 hours of post-license education during the first license term.

The requirement consists of three 15-hour courses covering:

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

Each course requires its own 50-question final examination administered by the education provider.

The post-license education must generally be completed before the first renewal deadline. A special timing rule may apply when an individual receives an initial broker license within 180 days before the first renewal deadline; in that situation, the deadline can extend to the second renewal deadline.

The 45-hour post-license requirement is separate from the initial pre-license education. During the initial license term, completing the required post-license education satisfies the applicable education requirement described in Illinois rules rather than requiring the standard continuing-education hours in addition to it.

Maintain Your License With Continuing Education

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

The continuing-education curriculum includes:

• At least six hours of core education.
• At least six hours of elective education.
• At least two hours of fair-housing training within the core curriculum.

Licensees should complete approved education before the applicable renewal deadline and retain completion records. Renewal requirements, course categories, and deadlines should be checked against the current IDFPR guidance.

A broker who later pursues a managing broker license may have additional education and management-related continuing-education requirements.

Potential Earnings for North Riverside Real Estate Agents

Real estate agents are commonly paid through commissions tied to completed transactions rather than a guaranteed salary. Income can vary substantially based on:

• Number of closed transactions.
• Transaction prices.
• Commission arrangements.
• Brokerage splits and fees.
• Lead sources.
• Experience and reputation.
• Market conditions.
• Full-time or part-time work.
• Business expenses and taxes.

New agents may have irregular income while building a client base. Some months may produce no commission, while a closed transaction can create a larger payment. Compensation figures from national or statewide sources should not be treated as a guaranteed North Riverside income level because local results differ by individual and market conditions.

Before choosing real estate as a career, prepare a financial cushion for licensing expenses and the time required to develop business. A written budget should account for taxes, transportation, marketing, association dues, technology, insurance, and brokerage fees.

Career Opportunities After Licensing

A North Riverside-area broker may pursue several real estate career paths, including:

• Residential buyer representation.
• Residential listing sales.
• Leasing and rental representation.
• Relocation assistance.
• New-construction sales.
• Investment-property transactions.
• Property management, where separately permitted and properly structured.
• Commercial real estate.
• Transaction coordination or brokerage operations.
• Long-term advancement to managing broker.

Local success depends on compliance, responsiveness, market knowledge, negotiation, follow-through, and consistent relationship-building. Agents should understand the communities they serve without making unsupported claims about prices, inventory, schools, taxes, or investment performance.

Recommended Step-by-Step Plan

1. Confirm that you meet the age and education requirements.
2. Select an IDFPR-approved 75-hour broker pre-license course.
3. Complete the course and retain proof of completion.
4. Study for and pass the Illinois state and national examination.
5. Complete fingerprinting and the required background-check process.
6. Submit the Illinois broker license application and current fees.
7. Interview sponsoring brokerages serving North Riverside and surrounding communities.
8. Activate or arrange sponsorship as required before practicing.
9. Complete the 45-hour post-license education and its course examinations.
10. Track renewal dates and complete continuing education for later renewal periods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a college degree to become an Illinois real estate agent?

No. The basic Illinois broker requirements identify a high school diploma or GED rather than a college degree.

How many education hours are required before the Illinois real estate exam?

Applicants must complete 75 hours of approved broker pre-license education.

Can I complete the Illinois course online?

Online options may be available through approved education providers. Confirm the provider’s current IDFPR approval and the course delivery requirements before enrolling.

Do I need a sponsoring broker?

Yes. Illinois requires a broker to be sponsored by a sponsoring broker before practicing real estate under the license.

What education is required after I receive my license?

New brokers must complete 45 hours of post-license education, generally consisting of three 15-hour courses with a 50-question final examination for each course.

How often is continuing education required?

Brokers generally complete 12 hours of approved continuing education during each two-year license term after the initial post-license period.

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

Possibly. A criminal record does not automatically resolve every application the same way. Applicants must answer disclosures accurately, complete the required background check, and contact IDFPR or qualified legal counsel if the record may affect eligibility.

Is real estate income guaranteed?

No. Real estate compensation is often commission-based and can fluctuate. Earnings depend on transactions, commission agreements, expenses, experience, and market conditions.

Authoritative Sources

• Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation — Division of Real Estate
• IDFPR Professional Requirements for Licensure PDF
• Illinois Real Estate License Act — 225 ILCS 454
• Illinois Administrative Code — Broker Post-License Education Requirements
• Illinois Administrative Code — Broker Continuing Education
• Leap Real Estate — Illinois Pre-Licensing Course