How to Get Your Real Estate License in Phoenix, Illinois

If you want to become a real estate agent in Phoenix, Illinois, the first step is completing Illinois-approved pre-licensing education. An Illinois pre-licensing course can help you satisfy the required coursework, prepare for the state and national exam, and understand the practical steps involved in applying for an Illinois broker license.

Illinois generally licenses entry-level real estate professionals as brokers, rather than using “salesperson” as a separate license category. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, or IDFPR, oversees licensing, education, examinations, applications, renewals, and disciplinary matters.

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 the required Illinois broker pre-license education.
Pass the Illinois real estate licensing examination.
Complete the required application and pay the applicable fee.
Satisfy Illinois background-check and fingerprinting requirements.
Obtain sponsorship from an Illinois sponsoring broker before practicing.

IDFPR’s current professional requirements identify a high school diploma or GED, 75 hours of broker pre-license education, successful completion of the state and national examination, and sponsorship by a sponsoring broker as core broker requirements.

Applicants should verify their eligibility directly with IDFPR before enrolling because education, examination, application, and background-check procedures can change. Attorneys admitted to practice law in Illinois may qualify for an exemption from the pre-license education requirement, although they must still meet other applicable licensing requirements.

How Many Education Hours Are Required?

Illinois requires 75 hours of approved pre-license education for a standard real estate broker applicant. The coursework must be completed through an education provider and course approved by the Illinois Division of Real Estate.

Pre-license education typically covers subjects such as:

Real estate principles and practices
Illinois license law
Contracts
Agency relationships
Property ownership
Financing
Fair housing
Real estate disclosures
Leasing and property management
Brokerage operations
Illinois-specific rules and procedures

The education provider—not the applicant—must ensure that the course satisfies Illinois approval standards. Before paying for a program, check that both the school and the specific course appear on the current IDFPR-approved list.

Online Illinois Real Estate Courses

Illinois permits approved real estate education through online or distance-education formats, subject to state requirements. Online learning may be useful for Phoenix residents who need a flexible schedule around work, family, or other obligations.

When comparing online programs, look for:

Illinois approval for the specific course
Clear information about the 75-hour curriculum
Identity-verification and attendance procedures
Course completion documentation
Practice questions or exam-preparation materials
Access to instructors or student support
A clearly stated refund and expiration policy

An online course can be completed from Phoenix, but completing the course does not itself grant a license. You must still pass the licensing examination, complete the application, satisfy screening requirements, and secure sponsorship before engaging in licensed activity.

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Complete approved pre-license education

Finish the 75-hour Illinois broker curriculum and retain your completion documentation. Confirm that the provider reports or verifies completion in the manner required by IDFPR and the examination vendor.

2. Register for the licensing examination

Illinois broker applicants must pass an examination administered by the state’s testing vendor. The examination includes state and national portions, and the testing vendor transmits examination results to the Division of Real Estate.

Use the current candidate handbook to confirm:

Examination registration instructions
Identification requirements
Testing-center rules
Examination fees
Retake procedures
Score-reporting policies
Content outlines

Examination fees and testing procedures can change, so confirm the current amount when scheduling.

3. Complete fingerprinting and the background check

Illinois applicants may be required to submit fingerprints for a criminal-background investigation. Fingerprinting is generally completed through an approved vendor or process specified by IDFPR.

The fingerprinting charge is separate from the license application fee and may vary by vendor. A criminal record does not automatically mean an application will be denied, but applicants should answer disclosure questions accurately and provide any explanation or documentation requested by the Department.

Do not wait until the last minute to address a background-check issue. If you have a prior conviction, professional discipline, or another potentially reportable matter, review IDFPR instructions carefully and consider obtaining legal advice before submitting the application.

4. Submit the license application

After meeting the education and examination requirements, submit the broker license application through the method currently authorized by IDFPR. The Department’s online licensing instructions list a $125 broker application fee.

The application may require information about:

Personal identity
Residential and mailing addresses
High school or GED completion
Education history
Examination results
Criminal or disciplinary history
Fingerprinting and background-check status
Sponsoring broker information

Application fees, processing procedures, and forms can be revised. Confirm the current instructions on the IDFPR real estate page before applying.

5. Obtain sponsoring-broker approval

A new Illinois broker must be sponsored by a sponsoring broker before practicing real estate. Sponsorship connects the licensee with a brokerage that provides supervision, policies, transaction systems, training, and access to the brokerage’s business operations.

Interview several brokerages before selecting one. Important questions include:

How are commissions divided?
Are there desk, technology, transaction, or administrative fees?
Is training provided?
Are leads available?
What are the expectations for prospecting?
Who reviews contracts and transaction files?
Is mentorship available?
Does the brokerage serve Phoenix and surrounding communities?
Can the broker explain independent-contractor and employee arrangements?

A sponsoring broker can be located outside Phoenix, but the brokerage should be able to support your intended service area and comply with Illinois law.

Illinois Real Estate Exam

The Illinois broker examination tests both national real estate concepts and Illinois-specific law and practice. The national portion may address ownership, contracts, financing, agency, valuation, property management, and other general principles. The state portion focuses on Illinois licensing rules, brokerage regulation, disclosures, agency, and related requirements.

Effective preparation usually includes:

Reviewing the official candidate handbook
Studying Illinois license law
Completing practice questions
Learning real estate vocabulary and calculations
Scheduling the examination after completing the required education
Focusing additional study on any failed portion before retesting

If you fail one portion, the testing vendor’s current rules determine whether you need to retake only that portion or the complete examination. Check the current handbook rather than relying on advice from an older course or former applicant.

How Much Does an Illinois Real Estate License Cost?

The total cost depends on the education provider, examination attempts, fingerprinting vendor, application method, and any optional preparation materials.

Typical expense categories include:

| Expense | What to know |
|---|---|
| Pre-license education | Prices vary by school, course format, support, and included materials. |
| Examination | The testing vendor sets the applicable examination fee; verify the current amount before registering. |
| Fingerprinting | Costs vary by approved vendor and processing requirements. |
| Broker license application | IDFPR’s online instructions list a $125 application fee. |
| Brokerage expenses | A sponsoring brokerage may charge transaction, technology, desk, association, or other fees. |
| Post-license education | New brokers must complete the required education through an approved provider. |

A realistic budget should include more than the state application fee. Consider study materials, transportation or testing technology, professional association costs, marketing, insurance, business supplies, and several months of living expenses while building a client base.

How Long Does It Take?

There is no single guaranteed timeline for becoming licensed in Illinois. The process may take several weeks or longer depending on:

How quickly you complete the 75-hour course
Course scheduling and final-examination policies
Examination appointment availability
Whether you pass on the first attempt
Fingerprint and background-check processing
Application processing
How long it takes to select a sponsoring broker

A student taking an online course may progress faster than someone attending occasional classes, but speed should not replace thorough exam preparation. Applicants with complicated disclosure or background-check matters should allow additional time.

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, and transactional issues.

Each course requires its own 50-question final examination, according to Illinois administrative rules.

The post-license requirement is generally due before the first renewal deadline. A broker who receives an initial license within the 180 days before the first renewal deadline may receive additional time until the second applicable renewal deadline.

The 45-hour post-license education also satisfies the continuing-education requirement for the initial broker license term under Illinois rules. Confirm the deadline attached to your license because the applicable date can depend on when the initial license was issued.

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 12 hours generally include:

At least 6 hours of core curriculum
At least 6 hours of elective curriculum
At least 2 hours of fair-housing training within the core curriculum

Courses must be approved or otherwise recognized under Illinois requirements. Online distance education, live interactive webinars, and classroom options may be available depending on the course and current rules.

Continuing education is separate from the original 75-hour pre-license education and should be tracked throughout every renewal cycle. Failure to complete required education can interfere with renewal.

Potential Earnings in Phoenix, Illinois

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

Number and value of closed transactions
Commission arrangements
Brokerage split and fees
Lead generation and referral sources
Local competition
Market conditions
Part-time or full-time work
Experience and specialization
Personal business expenses and taxes

New agents may earn little or no commission during the early months while building relationships and waiting for transactions to close. Commission income is generally received only after a successful closing and is divided according to the transaction and brokerage agreements.

For a more reliable compensation estimate, review current wage information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and compare it with current Illinois employment data. State and national wage figures may not reflect the income of independent contractors, high-producing agents, part-time brokers, or individuals whose income comes from multiple real estate activities.

Career Opportunities for Illinois Brokers

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

Residential buyer representation
Residential listing services
Rental and leasing activity
Property management, subject to applicable requirements
Relocation services
New-construction sales
Commercial real estate
Investment-property transactions
Real estate referrals
Transaction coordination
Real estate marketing
Brokerage operations and management

A new license does not require choosing a permanent specialty. Many brokers begin with residential transactions, then develop expertise in a geographic area, property type, client group, or transaction category.

Phoenix residents should evaluate brokerages based on their ability to provide local training, supervision, transaction support, and compliant marketing—not solely on advertised commission splits.

Choosing a Sponsoring Brokerage in Phoenix

The sponsoring brokerage can significantly affect your first year. Before signing an agreement, compare:

Training for new brokers
Availability of managing-broker guidance
Contract and compliance review
Commission splits and caps
Monthly or per-transaction fees
Lead sources
Technology platforms
Marketing support
Office and showing policies
Opportunities to work in nearby communities
Rules for changing brokerages later

Ask for all financial terms in writing. A higher commission split may not be the best value if the brokerage provides little support or imposes substantial fees.

A Practical Checklist

Confirm that you meet Illinois age and education requirements.
Enroll in an IDFPR-approved 75-hour broker pre-license course.
Complete the coursework and retain proof of completion.
Study the current Illinois candidate handbook.
Schedule and pass the state and national examination.
Complete fingerprinting and required background screening.
Submit the broker license application and applicable fee.
Select an Illinois sponsoring broker.
Complete the 45-hour post-license requirement on time.
Track future two-year continuing-education deadlines.
Create a conservative budget for startup and business expenses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take the Illinois real estate course online?

Yes, approved Illinois education may be available through online or distance-education formats. Verify that the specific provider and course are currently approved by IDFPR before enrolling.

Do I need a college degree?

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

How old must I be to become an Illinois real estate broker?

The current IDFPR professional-requirements document lists 18 as the minimum age for a broker license.

Can I work without a sponsoring broker?

A new broker must be sponsored by a sponsoring broker before practicing real estate. Sponsorship is a licensing requirement, not merely a business preference.

What happens after I pass the exam?

Passing the examination is one step in the process. You must complete the application, satisfy fingerprinting and background-check requirements, pay the applicable fee, and arrange sponsorship before practicing.

Do I have to complete education after getting licensed?

Yes. New brokers generally must complete 45 hours of post-license education during the first license period. After that, brokers generally complete 12 hours of continuing education during each two-year renewal term.

Can I become a managing broker immediately?

Generally, no. Illinois managing-broker applicants must meet additional age, education, examination, and experience requirements. IDFPR identifies active broker experience for two of the preceding three years as part of the managing-broker requirements.

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