How to Get Your Real Estate License in Oak Lawn, Illinois

If you want to become a real estate agent in Oak Lawn, Illinois, the first step is completing the state’s approved pre-licensing education and preparing for the Illinois broker licensing exam. An online Illinois pre-licensing course can provide a flexible way to complete the required coursework while you continue working or managing other responsibilities.

Illinois generally licenses entry-level real estate professionals as brokers, although many people still refer to them as real estate agents. Oak Lawn is a village in Cook County, but real estate licensing is handled at the state level by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), not by the municipality.

Illinois Real Estate Broker Requirements

Before applying 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.
Obtain sponsorship from an Illinois sponsoring broker before practicing real estate.

IDFPR’s professional requirements document identifies the 75-hour pre-license curriculum, state and national examination, sponsoring-broker requirement, and high-school-or-GED requirement for a real estate broker applicant.

Applicants should confirm the current requirements directly with IDFPR before enrolling or submitting an application because rules, forms, vendors, and procedures can change.

Complete the 75-Hour Pre-Licensing Course

The required education consists of 75 hours of approved broker pre-license instruction. The course should be completed through an education provider authorized by Illinois.

Coursework typically covers subjects such as:

Real estate principles and practices
Illinois license law and regulations
Agency relationships
Contracts
Property ownership
Fair housing
Financing
Real estate calculations
Leasing and property management concepts
Brokerage operations and professional responsibilities

The exact course structure, textbook requirements, quizzes, attendance rules, and final-exam procedures depend on the provider. Choose a school that appears on the current IDFPR list of approved real estate education providers.

Online Course Options

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

Online self-paced courses
Live online classes
In-person classroom instruction
Hybrid programs

An online course can be especially useful for Oak Lawn residents who commute, work full time, or prefer studying on evenings and weekends. Before enrolling, verify that the course is approved for the Illinois broker pre-license curriculum and that it explains how course completion is reported to the state or exam provider.

Online education does not eliminate the licensing examination, application, background-check, or sponsoring-broker requirements.

Apply for the Illinois Broker Examination

After completing the required education, apply to take the Illinois real estate broker examination through the state’s designated testing process. IDFPR materials state that applicants must pass both the state and national portions of the examination.

The examination is designed to test knowledge of:

General real estate principles
Property ownership and land use
Contracts and agency
Financing
Valuation and market analysis
Leasing and property management
Illinois license law and regulations
Illinois-specific brokerage practices

The testing vendor, registration procedure, examination fee, and available test dates can change. Follow the current instructions supplied by IDFPR and the authorized testing vendor rather than relying on an older exam handbook.

If you do not pass one portion of the examination, the applicable retesting rules determine whether you must repeat only that portion or take the full examination again. Review the current candidate instructions before scheduling a retest.

Background Check and Fingerprinting

Illinois applicants must complete the state-required background-check process. This normally involves submitting fingerprints through an approved vendor so the state can review criminal-history information.

The process may include:

Selecting an authorized fingerprint vendor
Presenting acceptable identification
Paying the vendor’s fingerprinting charge
Providing fingerprints for a criminal-history check
Disclosing required criminal or disciplinary history on the application
Responding to any request for additional documentation

Fingerprinting fees are generally separate from education, examination, and license-application fees. The amount and submission process can vary by vendor, so confirm the current instructions before completing fingerprinting.

A criminal record does not automatically mean an applicant cannot obtain a license. However, failure to disclose required information can create additional licensing problems. Applicants with a criminal, regulatory, or professional history should consider obtaining legal advice and should answer every application question accurately.

Submit the License Application

After completing education and passing the required examination, submit the Illinois broker license application through the current IDFPR process. The application generally requires evidence of eligibility, education completion, examination results, and any required background-check information.

The application process may involve:

Creating or accessing an IDFPR account
Completing the broker application
Uploading or submitting supporting documents
Paying the applicable state fee
Providing fingerprint or background-check information
Identifying a sponsoring broker
Responding to IDFPR requests for clarification

IDFPR’s online licensing instructions list a $125 application fee, while another IDFPR licensing brochure lists a $150 initial broker fee. Because these official materials show different amounts, confirm the amount displayed in the current application system or current IDFPR instructions before submitting payment.

Find a Sponsoring Broker in Oak Lawn or Nearby

A newly licensed Illinois broker must be sponsored by a sponsoring broker before conducting licensed activities. The sponsoring broker is generally an employing or affiliated brokerage professional who supervises the licensee’s real estate practice.

When evaluating a brokerage, ask about:

Commission splits and transaction fees
Desk, technology, or administrative fees
Training for new brokers
Mentorship and transaction supervision
Lead-generation programs
Office and remote-work expectations
Availability of local market education
Contract, compliance, and marketing support
Whether the firm serves Oak Lawn and nearby communities

A brokerage does not have to be located inside Oak Lawn for it to be relevant to an Oak Lawn-based agent. However, local familiarity can be useful when learning neighborhood-level pricing, property types, public transportation access, municipal procedures, and buyer and seller expectations.

Do not pay a recruiting fee or sign a long-term agreement without reviewing the compensation and termination provisions carefully.

How Long Does It Take?

Illinois does not provide one universal completion timeline for every applicant. The total time depends on:

How quickly you complete the 75-hour course
Course availability and final-examination scheduling
Examination appointment availability
Whether you pass on the first attempt
Fingerprinting and background-check processing
Application processing
How quickly you find a sponsoring broker
Whether IDFPR requests additional documentation

A self-paced student may finish coursework on a different schedule from someone attending weekly classroom sessions. The safest approach is to build a schedule around the education provider’s completion rules and use the current IDFPR and testing-vendor instructions for later steps.

Expected Costs

The total cost of becoming a broker varies because education providers, fingerprint vendors, examination services, and brokerages may charge different amounts.

Potential expenses include:

Pre-license education and course materials
Course final examination, if charged separately
State licensing examination
Fingerprinting and background-check services
Illinois license-application fee
Professional memberships or local networking groups
Brokerage technology or transaction fees
Marketing, signs, photography, and advertising
Business insurance or legal and accounting services, if appropriate

The initial state broker fee should be verified at the time of application because the available IDFPR materials list different amounts. Do not treat a school’s advertised package price as the complete cost of licensing unless it clearly identifies which expenses are included.

Complete Post-License Education

New Illinois brokers must complete 45 hours of post-license education during the first license period. 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 under the Illinois administrative rules.

The 45-hour post-license education must generally be completed before the first renewal deadline. If the initial license is received within the 180 days before the first renewal deadline, the deadline may extend to the second renewal deadline.

The 45-hour post-license requirement is not the same as the initial 75-hour pre-license course. It is designed to help new brokers apply licensing concepts to actual brokerage practice.

Continuing Education After the First License Period

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

The continuing education curriculum includes:

A required core curriculum
An elective curriculum
At least two hours of fair-housing education within the core curriculum

New brokers completing the required 45-hour post-license education during the first license term generally do not need to complete separate continuing education during that same term.

Continuing education must be completed through courses approved by the state. Pre-license and post-license courses generally cannot be counted as continuing education unless the law specifically provides otherwise.

Moving From Broker to Managing Broker

A broker who later wants greater supervisory or brokerage responsibility may pursue an Illinois managing broker license. IDFPR identifies additional requirements, including:

Being at least 20 years old
Holding a broker license for two consecutive years out of the preceding three years
Completing the required managing-broker education
Passing the managing-broker examination

The managing broker pathway is separate from obtaining an entry-level broker license. It is usually more relevant after gaining practical experience and deciding to supervise other licensees or operate a brokerage.

Potential Earnings in Oak Lawn

Real estate income is not guaranteed and can vary substantially. Most residential agents are paid through commissions or commission splits connected to completed transactions rather than a guaranteed salary.

Factors that may affect earnings include:

Number of closed transactions
Property prices and transaction volume
Commission arrangements
Brokerage split and fees
Lead-generation costs
Personal marketing expenses
Local competition
Experience and specialization
Whether the agent works part time or full time

New agents may have irregular income while building a client base. They should plan for periods without closings and budget for licensing renewal, education, marketing, transportation, technology, and brokerage expenses.

Public compensation figures should be interpreted cautiously because national or statewide wage data may not reflect an individual Oak Lawn agent’s commission income. Government and industry figures may also differ in how they treat self-employment, part-time work, commissions, and business expenses. Before relying on an earnings estimate, check the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or another clearly identified, reputable source.

Career Opportunities for Illinois Brokers

An Illinois broker can pursue several real estate-related paths, including:

Residential buyer representation
Residential listing and seller representation
Condominium and townhome sales
New-construction sales
Leasing and rental representation
Property management, where permitted and properly structured
Commercial real estate
Land and investment property
Relocation services
Real estate development support
Transaction coordination and brokerage operations

Oak Lawn-based professionals may also serve clients in surrounding communities, subject to brokerage policies, competence, and Illinois licensing rules. A new agent should select a niche based on training, supervision, client demand, and personal interest rather than assuming that one specialty will produce immediate income.

Practical Steps for an Oak Lawn Applicant

A straightforward sequence is:

Confirm that you meet Illinois age and education requirements.
Enroll in an IDFPR-approved 75-hour broker pre-license course.
Complete the course and any required provider examination.
Register for and pass the state and national portions of the licensing exam.
Complete fingerprinting and the required background-check process.
Submit the Illinois broker application and applicable fee.
Choose an Illinois sponsoring broker.
Complete the 45-hour post-license education before the applicable deadline.
Complete future continuing education before each renewal.
Develop a business plan for serving Oak Lawn and nearby markets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Oak Lawn real estate licensing handled by the village?

No. Real estate broker licensing is handled by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Oak Lawn’s status as a village does not create a separate municipal real estate license.

Can I take the Illinois pre-license course online?

Online and distance-education options may be available through approved providers. Confirm that the provider and course satisfy the current Illinois 75-hour broker curriculum before enrolling.

Do I need a college degree?

No college degree is listed as a general requirement for an Illinois broker license. Applicants generally need a high school diploma or GED, along with the required education, examination, application, and sponsorship steps.

Can I practice immediately after passing the exam?

Passing the exam alone is not enough to begin practicing independently. A new broker must complete the state licensing process and have the required sponsoring-broker relationship.

How much does an Illinois real estate license cost?

There is no single total cost because education, exam, fingerprinting, application, and brokerage expenses vary. IDFPR materials currently show conflicting initial broker fee amounts, so verify the fee in the active application system before paying.

What education is required after I receive the license?

A new broker generally must complete 45 hours of post-license education during the first license period. Later renewal periods generally require 12 hours of approved continuing education per term.

Can I work part time as a real estate broker?

Licensing rules do not require every broker to work full time, but brokerage policies, availability, training, client expectations, and transaction responsibilities may affect whether part-time work is practical.

Authoritative Sources