Becoming a real estate agent in Orland Hills, Illinois, starts with meeting the Illinois requirements for a real estate broker license. A state-approved Illinois pre-licensing course can provide the required education in a flexible format while helping you prepare for the licensing examination.

Although Orland Hills is a village in the Chicago metropolitan area, real estate licenses are issued and regulated by the State of Illinois—not by the municipality. You will need to complete state-required education, pass the licensing exam, submit an application, complete the background-check process, and work with a sponsoring broker before practicing real estate.

Illinois Real Estate License Requirements

Illinois generally licenses entry-level real estate professionals as brokers. The state’s current professional requirements identify these basic qualifications:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Hold a high school diploma or GED.
• Complete the required pre-license education.
• Pass the Illinois real estate licensing examination.
• Complete the application and licensing process through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, or IDFPR.
• Complete the required background check and fingerprinting process.
• Obtain sponsorship from an Illinois sponsoring broker before conducting licensed brokerage activities.

The requirements can change through legislation, administrative rules, or updated IDFPR procedures. Before enrolling or applying, review the current IDFPR materials and confirm the requirements that apply to your situation.

Complete the Required Pre-License Education

IDFPR’s current professional-requirements document lists 75 hours of pre-license education for an Illinois real estate broker applicant. The education must come from an approved Illinois real estate education provider.

Pre-license education typically covers subjects such as:

• Real estate principles and practices
• Illinois real estate law
• License law and agency
• Contracts
• Real estate finance
• Property ownership and interests
• Fair housing and discrimination rules
• Brokerage operations and professional responsibilities
• Illinois-specific rules and procedures

The course provider should clearly identify whether its program satisfies the current Illinois broker pre-license requirement. Keep your completion documentation because it may be needed during the application process or if IDFPR requests verification.

Can You Take the Course Online?

Online education is available, but the format and approval status matter. Illinois rules and IDFPR materials recognize approved distance-education options, while some later education requirements may distinguish between self-paced online courses, live interactive webinars, and classroom instruction.

Before enrolling, confirm that:

• The provider is approved for Illinois real estate education.
• The course satisfies the current broker pre-license requirement.
• The program includes any required final examinations.
• You understand whether the course is self-paced or live and interactive.
• You will receive a completion certificate or other official record.

A reputable online Illinois real estate pre-licensing program can be useful for students in Orland Hills who need to study around work, family, or commuting schedules. Online convenience does not eliminate the state examination or application requirements.

Apply for the Illinois Broker License

After completing the education requirement and passing the examination, submit your Illinois broker license application according to current IDFPR instructions.

The application process generally involves:

1. Completing the Illinois broker license application.
2. Providing identifying and education information.
3. Reporting any criminal history, professional discipline, or licensing issues as required.
4. Submitting the required application fee.
5. Completing the fingerprinting and background-check process.
6. Providing examination information or authorization for the testing vendor to transmit results.
7. Identifying a sponsoring broker when required.

IDFPR’s online licensing instructions list a $125 broker application fee. Fees are subject to change, and other expenses—such as education, examination, fingerprinting, or optional preparation materials—may be charged separately.

Do not assume that paying the application fee guarantees approval. IDFPR may request additional documentation, explanations, or records before issuing a license.

Background Check and Fingerprinting

Illinois broker applicants should expect a criminal-background-check process that includes fingerprinting. The purpose is to help IDFPR evaluate an applicant’s record as part of the licensing review.

Fingerprinting is commonly completed through an approved vendor. The exact procedure, vendor options, identification requirements, and cost can change, so follow the current instructions provided by IDFPR and the approved fingerprint vendor.

A criminal record does not automatically mean an applicant cannot obtain a license. However, omissions or inaccurate answers on the application can create additional problems. Answer disclosure questions completely and provide court or case records when IDFPR requests them.

Pass the Illinois Real Estate Licensing Exam

Applicants must pass the Illinois broker licensing examination, which includes state-specific and national real estate content. The examination is administered through the testing vendor designated by Illinois.

Prepare for both portions of the exam. Common study topics include:

• Property ownership
• Land-use controls
• Valuation and market analysis
• Financing
• Contracts
• Agency
• Transfer of title
• Practice of real estate
• Illinois license law
• Illinois agency and consumer-protection rules

A practical study plan should combine the pre-license coursework with practice questions and focused review of Illinois law. If you do not pass, follow the testing vendor’s current retake rules, waiting periods, and fee instructions.

How Much Does It Cost?

The total cost varies because several expenses are separate from the state application fee.

| Expense | What to know |
|---|---|
| Pre-license education | Varies by provider, course format, and included materials |
| License examination | Testing fees can change; confirm the current amount with the official testing vendor |
| Fingerprinting | Vendor charges vary by location and service |
| Broker application | IDFPR’s current instructions list a $125 application fee |
| Exam preparation | Optional materials, tutoring, or additional practice exams may cost extra |
| Brokerage onboarding | A sponsoring brokerage may charge for technology, training, association membership, or other services |

A conservative budget should include the course, examination, fingerprinting, application fee, transportation or technology costs, and potential brokerage startup expenses. Ask a prospective sponsoring broker for a written explanation of recurring fees before signing an agreement.

How Long Does It Take?

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

• How quickly you complete the education
• Your exam preparation and retake needs
• Fingerprint-processing time
• Whether IDFPR requests additional information
• Application-processing volume
• How quickly you find a sponsoring broker
• The brokerage’s onboarding process

Students who study full time may finish education more quickly, while part-time students may spread the course over a longer period. Treat estimates from schools or brokerages as planning guidance rather than a state guarantee.

Find a Sponsoring Broker

A new Illinois broker generally must be sponsored by a sponsoring broker before practicing real estate on behalf of clients. Sponsorship connects your license to a brokerage that is responsible for supervision and compliance.

When comparing brokerages serving Orland Hills and nearby communities, ask about:

• Commission splits and transaction fees
• Monthly desk, technology, or administrative fees
• Training and mentoring
• Lead-generation expectations
• Marketing rules and approval procedures
• Transaction coordination
• Contract and compliance support
• Independent-contractor or employee classification
• Association, MLS, lockbox, and software expenses
• Office, hybrid, and remote-work expectations

The largest commission split is not always the best financial choice for a new agent. Strong supervision, accessible training, and practical transaction support can be especially valuable during the first year.

Complete Post-License Education

Illinois requires newly licensed brokers to complete 45 hours of post-license education during the first renewal period. The requirement consists of three 15-hour courses covering:

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

Each course requires a provider-administered 50-question examination under the Illinois rule.

A broker who completes the 45-hour post-license education during the first license term generally does not have to complete separate continuing education during that same term. If the initial license is issued close to the first renewal deadline, special timing rules may apply, so check the current IDFPR and Illinois administrative-code requirements.

Continuing Education After the First Renewal

After the initial post-license period, Illinois brokers generally must complete 12 hours of continuing education during each two-year license term. The current rule requires a core curriculum and an elective curriculum, with at least six hours in the core curriculum and at least two hours of fair-housing training within the core requirement.

Continuing education must be completed through courses approved by the Division of Real Estate. Keep certificates and completion records, and do not wait until the renewal deadline to satisfy the requirement.

Requirements can differ for managing brokers and certain exempt individuals. Managing brokers may also have additional management-education obligations.

Potential Earnings in Orland Hills

Real estate income is not guaranteed and can vary substantially. A broker’s earnings may depend on:

• Number of completed transactions
• Local inventory and buyer demand
• Commission arrangements
• Brokerage splits and fees
• Lead-generation costs
• Experience and specialization
• Seasonal and broader economic conditions
• Whether the agent works full time or part time

Public wage data should be treated cautiously because many real estate professionals are paid through commissions, may be self-employed, and may experience uneven income. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes occupation-level wage information for real estate brokers and sales agents, but it may not provide a precise earnings figure for Orland Hills specifically.

New agents should plan for a ramp-up period and maintain savings for licensing, marketing, transportation, technology, insurance, association, and brokerage expenses. Ask brokerages how their compensation examples are calculated and whether they represent gross commissions or net income after deductions.

Career Opportunities for Illinois Brokers

A broker license can support several real estate career paths in and around Orland Hills, including:

• Residential buyer representation
• Residential listing services
• Leasing and rental representation
• Relocation assistance
• New-construction sales
• Investment-property transactions
• Property management-related work, where separately permitted
• Commercial real estate
• Real estate referrals
• Transaction coordination and brokerage operations
• Future advancement to managing broker

Local relevance comes from building knowledge of the communities and properties clients actually care about. A new agent may serve Orland Hills while also working with buyers and sellers throughout the surrounding south and southwest suburban market, subject to brokerage policies and Illinois licensing rules.

Suggested Path to Licensure

A practical sequence is:

1. Confirm the current requirements with IDFPR.
2. Enroll in an approved Illinois broker pre-license course.
3. Complete the required education and provider examinations.
4. Register for and pass the state and national licensing examination.
5. Complete fingerprinting and the background-check process.
6. Submit the broker license application and required fee.
7. Interview sponsoring brokerages serving Orland Hills and nearby communities.
8. Complete sponsorship and brokerage onboarding.
9. Finish the 45-hour post-license requirement before the applicable first renewal deadline.
10. Complete continuing education for later renewal periods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a college degree required to become a real estate agent in Illinois?

No. The current IDFPR professional-requirements document lists a high school diploma or GED as the minimum education requirement for an Illinois broker applicant.

How many education hours are required?

IDFPR’s current professional-requirements document lists 75 hours of pre-license education for a real estate broker. Confirm the requirement with IDFPR and the approved education provider before enrolling because state materials and rules can be updated.

Can Orland Hills residents complete the course online?

Yes, approved online or distance-education options may be available. Verify that the specific provider and course satisfy the current Illinois broker requirements.

Do new agents need a sponsoring broker?

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

How much is the Illinois license application fee?

IDFPR’s current online licensing instructions list a $125 broker application fee. Education, examination, fingerprinting, and brokerage expenses are separate and may vary.

Is fingerprinting required?

Applicants should expect fingerprinting and a criminal-background-check process. Follow the current IDFPR instructions and use an approved vendor.

What happens after passing the exam?

You must complete the application process, satisfy the background-check requirements, obtain sponsorship where required, and receive authorization to practice. Passing the exam alone does not complete the licensing process.

What education is required after getting the license?

New brokers generally must complete 45 hours of post-license education during the first renewal period. Later renewal periods generally require 12 hours of continuing education every two years.

Authoritative Sources

• Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation — Real Estate Brokerage
• IDFPR Professional Requirements for Licensure
• IDFPR Online Licensing Instructions for an Illinois Broker
• Illinois Administrative Code — Broker Post-License Education Requirements
• Illinois Administrative Code — Broker Continuing Education
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics