How to Get Your Real Estate License in Plainfield, Illinois

If you want to become a real estate agent in Plainfield, Illinois, the first step is completing an approved Illinois broker pre-licensing program. An online option such as this Illinois pre-licensing course can help you complete the required education while preparing for the state licensing examination.

Illinois real estate professionals are licensed as brokers, rather than as “salespersons” or “agents.” After obtaining a broker license, you generally must work under the sponsorship of an Illinois sponsoring broker before practicing independently.

Illinois Real Estate License Requirements

To qualify for an Illinois real estate broker license, applicants generally must:

Be at least 18 years old.
Have a high school diploma or GED.
Complete the required pre-license education through an IDFPR-approved provider.
Pass the Illinois real estate licensing examination.
Complete the application process with IDFPR.
Satisfy applicable background-check and fingerprinting requirements.
Obtain sponsorship from an Illinois sponsoring broker to hold an active license.

IDFPR identifies 75 hours of broker pre-license education, passage of both state and national examination portions, sponsoring-broker requirements, and 45 hours of post-license education during the first renewal period as core broker requirements.

Applicants with unusual education, licensing, legal, or disciplinary histories should review the current IDFPR instructions or contact the Division of Real Estate before enrolling or applying.

Required Pre-Licensing Education

Illinois requires 75 hours of approved broker pre-license education before an applicant may qualify for the licensing examination.

The state curriculum consists of:

60 hours of Real Estate Topics.
15 hours of Applied Real Estate Principles.

The 15-hour component must use an approved format involving classroom instruction, a live interactive webinar, or qualifying online distance education. The 60-hour component may be offered in a broader range of approved formats.

Course providers may divide the curriculum into separate courses, but the total must satisfy the approved Illinois curriculum. Students should confirm that the provider is approved by IDFPR and that the provider will issue the documentation required for the license application.

Online Illinois Real Estate Courses

Online education can be a practical option for Plainfield residents who want to study around work, family, or other commitments. Before enrolling, verify:

The provider appears on IDFPR’s approved education-provider list.
The course includes all 75 required hours.
The delivery format satisfies Illinois rules for the 15-hour Applied Real Estate Principles course.
The provider explains how course completion is reported or documented.
The course includes exam-preparation materials or support if needed.

A course certificate alone does not guarantee licensure. Applicants must still meet the state’s application, examination, background-check, and sponsorship requirements. You can review the Illinois real estate pre-licensing course as one online education option.

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Complete an approved course

Finish the required 75 hours and retain your completion documentation. Confirm that your education record is available for the application process.

2. Prepare for the licensing exam

The Illinois broker examination includes state and national content. The examination is administered through the state’s testing vendor, and examination results are transmitted to the Division of Real Estate.

Use the current candidate handbook for registration instructions, identification rules, scheduling information, examination policies, and the current examination fee.

3. Pass the examination

Applicants must pass the required examination portions before receiving a broker license. If an applicant does not pass, the testing vendor’s current handbook explains retesting procedures and any applicable fees.

4. Complete the IDFPR application

Submit the application and supporting information through the process specified by IDFPR. The state provides online licensing instructions and accepts certain payments electronically through its ePay system.

Application fees can change. IDFPR materials identify different fees depending on the application type and document version; one current IDFPR broker licensing document lists a $125 fee, while another Division of Real Estate brochure lists $150. Confirm the amount shown on the current application or IDFPR payment page before submitting payment.

5. Complete background screening and fingerprinting

Applicants should expect to disclose criminal history and follow IDFPR instructions regarding a criminal background check and fingerprint submission when required. The process may involve an approved fingerprint vendor, electronic submission, or other instructions provided with the application.

Fingerprinting and background-check costs are generally separate from the state application fee and can vary by vendor. Do not schedule fingerprinting using an unofficial provider unless IDFPR specifically authorizes that provider or method.

A criminal record does not automatically mean an applicant cannot become licensed. However, omissions or inaccurate answers can create additional problems. Applicants with a record should provide complete, truthful information and seek clarification from IDFPR when necessary.

6. Obtain sponsoring-broker approval

To practice with an active Illinois broker license, you generally need sponsorship from an actively licensed Illinois sponsoring broker.

The sponsoring broker is typically associated with the brokerage where you will work. The brokerage may help with:

Completing sponsorship documentation.
Explaining office policies and supervision.
Providing transaction-management systems.
Offering training and mentoring.
Reviewing advertising and contract procedures.
Explaining compensation, fees, and commission policies.

Compare brokerages carefully. Commission splits are only one consideration; training, technology fees, desk fees, lead programs, insurance, administrative charges, and support can materially affect your income.

Illinois Real Estate License Costs

The total cost depends on the provider, examination arrangements, background screening, fingerprinting, application fee, and brokerage-related expenses.

Possible expenses include:

Pre-license education tuition.
Course textbooks or exam-preparation materials.
Licensing examination fees.
State application fee.
Fingerprinting and background-check charges.
Initial insurance, association, or professional expenses.
Brokerage fees or transaction-related costs.

IDFPR materials list an initial broker application fee, but published state documents may show different amounts depending on the application pathway or document date. Verify the amount directly in the current application instructions before paying.

Education prices also vary by provider and course format. A low-cost course may not include exam preparation, tutoring, textbooks, or additional support, so compare the complete package rather than tuition alone.

How Long Does It Take?

There is no single guaranteed timeline for becoming a real estate agent in Plainfield. The process depends on:

How quickly you complete the 75-hour course.
Examination scheduling availability.
Whether you pass on the first attempt.
Application processing time.
Background-check or fingerprinting issues.
How quickly you select a sponsoring broker.

A student who studies consistently and passes the examination promptly may move through the process faster than someone studying part time or needing to retake an examination. IDFPR and the examination vendor control processing and scheduling timelines, so applicants should use their current instructions rather than rely on a general estimate.

The Illinois Licensing Examination

The Illinois broker examination tests both national real estate principles and Illinois-specific laws and practices. Preparation should cover topics such as:

Property ownership and land use.
Contracts and agency.
Financing and valuation.
Property management and leasing.
Real estate mathematics.
Fair housing and consumer protection.
Illinois licensing law and regulations.
Brokerage relationships and licensee duties.

A good study plan includes completing practice questions, reviewing incorrect answers, learning Illinois terminology, and becoming comfortable with real estate calculations. Course completion does not replace exam preparation.

The current examination vendor handbook should be treated as the authority for registration, identification, scheduling, scoring, retesting, and test-center rules. IDFPR identifies PSI as its real estate licensing examination partner in its Division of Real Estate materials.

Choosing a Sponsoring Broker in Plainfield

Plainfield applicants are not required to choose a brokerage solely because it is located within the village. You may compare firms serving Plainfield and the surrounding communities, provided the firm can properly sponsor and supervise Illinois brokers.

When interviewing brokerages, ask:

Is the firm actively sponsoring Illinois brokers?
What training is offered to new licensees?
Is there a designated mentor or managing broker?
How are leads assigned?
What are the commission splits?
Are there monthly, transaction, technology, or administrative fees?
Which marketing expenses are paid by the broker?
What transaction-management and customer relationship tools are available?
How are weekend, evening, and showing responsibilities handled?
Does the brokerage focus on residential sales, leasing, commercial property, relocation, or another specialty?

Local knowledge can be valuable. Learning Plainfield neighborhoods, transportation patterns, property types, municipal services, schools, taxes, and applicable disclosures can help you communicate responsibly with clients. Avoid making claims about a property or community unless you can verify them through reliable public information.

Post-License Education After Becoming a Broker

New Illinois brokers must complete 45 hours of post-license education during the first renewal period, according to IDFPR’s professional licensing requirements.

The post-license curriculum must be completed through an IDFPR-approved real estate education provider. IDFPR’s renewal materials state that the post-license curriculum includes the required sexual-harassment-prevention training.

Post-license education is different from the initial 75-hour pre-license course. It is intended for newly licensed brokers and focuses on developing practical competence after entering the profession.

Continuing Education and License Renewal

After the initial post-license period, Illinois brokers must complete continuing education for each applicable renewal period. The exact number and composition of hours can depend on the broker’s license issue date and the renewal cycle.

For example, IDFPR’s 2026 broker renewal fact sheet distinguishes between licensees subject to 45-hour post-license education and those subject to a 12-hour continuing-education requirement, including core, elective, and sexual-harassment-prevention components.

Because renewal requirements can change, brokers should check the current IDFPR fact sheet before registering for courses. Education must be completed through an approved provider, and the licensee must certify compliance during renewal.

Potential Earnings for Illinois Real Estate Agents

Real estate income is not guaranteed. Most residential brokers are compensated through commissions or other transaction-based arrangements, and earnings can fluctuate significantly from month to month.

Income may be affected by:

Number of closed transactions.
Property prices and transaction volume.
Commission agreements and brokerage splits.
Referral fees and business expenses.
Lead-generation ability.
Experience and specialization.
Time devoted to prospecting, showings, negotiations, and client service.
Market conditions.

New brokers may have substantial startup expenses and may earn little during the period before their first closing. Salary websites and job advertisements may combine employees, independent contractors, brokers, and sales agents, making comparisons difficult. Treat compensation figures as broad occupational estimates rather than a promise of what a Plainfield licensee will earn.

A careful business plan should account for several months of personal and business expenses, taxes, marketing, association costs, transportation, technology, and brokerage fees.

Career Opportunities After Licensing

An Illinois broker license can support several real estate career paths, including:

Residential buyer representation.
Residential listing and sales.
Leasing and rental representation.
New-construction sales.
Relocation services.
Commercial real estate.
Property management, where separately applicable requirements are satisfied.
Investment-property sales.
Land and development transactions.
Referral-based real estate business.
Future advancement to managing broker.

Many new licensees begin with residential sales or leasing while building market knowledge and a client network. Over time, a broker may specialize in a geographic area, property type, client group, or transaction category.

A managing broker license is a later professional step. IDFPR materials state that applicants generally must be at least 20, hold or qualify for the required broker status, and have been actively licensed as a broker for two of the preceding three years, subject to the applicable rules and pathway.

Practical Tips for Plainfield Applicants

Verify every education provider through IDFPR before paying tuition.
Keep copies of course completion records, examination results, applications, and payment confirmations.
Use the current IDFPR application and examination-vendor handbook.
Budget for expenses beyond the course price.
Interview multiple sponsoring brokerages.
Learn the difference between an active and inactive license status.
Build a financial cushion before leaving other employment.
Use accurate, current information in all advertising.
Avoid giving legal, tax, inspection, or lending advice outside your qualifications.
Continue learning about the communities and property types you intend to serve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a college degree to become a real estate agent in Plainfield?

No. Illinois generally requires a high school diploma or GED rather than a college degree for a broker applicant.

How many education hours are required?

The standard Illinois broker pre-license requirement is 75 hours through an approved education provider.

Can I take the course online?

Yes, approved Illinois education may be available online, but the format must satisfy Illinois curriculum rules. Confirm that the provider and specific course are approved by IDFPR.

Do I need a sponsoring broker?

You generally need an Illinois sponsoring broker to hold an active broker license and practice real estate.

Is fingerprinting required?

Applicants should follow the current IDFPR instructions for background screening and fingerprint submission. Requirements and procedures may depend on the application and the applicant’s circumstances, and vendor charges may be separate.

How much does an Illinois real estate license cost?

The total varies. Expenses may include education, examination, application, fingerprinting, background screening, and brokerage charges. IDFPR documents list different broker application amounts depending on the document or application pathway, so confirm the current fee before submitting.

What education is required after I get licensed?

New Illinois brokers generally must complete 45 hours of post-license education during the first renewal period.

Can I work independently immediately after passing the exam?

Passing the examination is not the same as having an independently operating brokerage business. A new broker generally works under an Illinois sponsoring broker unless later qualifying for another permitted license structure.

Authoritative Sources

Illinois Real Estate License Requirements

To qualify for an Illinois real estate broker license, applicants generally must:

Be at least 18 years old.
Have a high school diploma or GED.
Complete the required pre-license education through an IDFPR-approved provider.
Pass the Illinois real estate licensing examination.
Complete the application process with IDFPR.
Satisfy applicable background-check and fingerprinting requirements.
Obtain sponsorship from an Illinois sponsoring broker to hold an active license.

Applicants with unusual education, licensing, legal, or disciplinary histories should review the current IDFPR instructions or contact the Division of Real Estate before enrolling or applying.