How to Get Your Real Estate License in Roxana, Illinois

Becoming a real estate agent in Roxana, Illinois, starts with completing an approved Illinois broker pre-licensing program, such as this Illinois pre-licensing course, which can help you complete the required education online and prepare for the state licensing examination. In Illinois, the entry-level real estate license is generally a broker license, rather than a license formally titled “salesperson.”

Whether you plan to work with buyers, sellers, renters, or investors in Roxana and nearby communities, the licensing process is regulated by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, or IDFPR. The major steps include education, examination, fingerprinting and a background check, application, and sponsorship by an Illinois sponsoring broker.

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 approved pre-license education.
Pass the Illinois real estate licensing examination.
Complete the application process with IDFPR.
Satisfy background-check and fingerprinting requirements.
Obtain sponsorship from an active Illinois sponsoring broker.

Applicants should review the current IDFPR application instructions before enrolling or applying because age, education, documentation, and application procedures can be updated. Some IDFPR application materials may describe additional age-related pathways or exceptions, particularly for applicants with qualifying postsecondary education.

A broker license allows a person to perform activities such as helping clients buy, sell, lease, or negotiate real estate transactions under the supervision of a sponsoring broker. The sponsoring broker is responsible for supervising sponsored licensees and maintaining the brokerage’s compliance with Illinois law.

How Many Education Hours Are Required?

Illinois requires 75 hours of approved pre-license education for the standard broker license.

The Illinois-approved curriculum consists of:

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

The 15-hour component focuses on applied concepts, situational learning, and case studies. Illinois rules allow approved providers to deliver qualifying education through permitted formats, including classroom instruction, live interactive webinars, and approved online distance education.

After obtaining the license, a newly licensed broker must also complete 45 hours of post-license education during the first renewal period. This requirement is separate from the initial 75-hour pre-license program.

Online Illinois Real Estate Courses

Online education can be a practical choice for people in Roxana who work full time, have family responsibilities, or prefer to study from home. An approved online course may allow you to study on a flexible schedule while covering the same required Illinois curriculum.

Before enrolling, confirm that the provider and course are approved for Illinois broker pre-license education. Consider looking for:

State-approved curriculum and provider status.
Access to all 75 required hours.
Progress tracking and course-completion records.
Practice questions and exam-preparation materials.
Student support by phone, email, or online messaging.
Clear policies for course access, refunds, and completion deadlines.
A format that satisfies Illinois requirements for the applied-principles component.

A self-paced online course may be convenient, but students still need to complete the required work and any provider examinations or identity-verification procedures. The Illinois pre-licensing course is one option to evaluate while comparing approved education providers.

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Complete the 75-hour course

Enroll with an approved Illinois real estate education provider and complete the required 75-hour broker curriculum. Keep your completion certificate and related records because they may be needed during the licensing process.

2. Prepare for the licensing examination

Illinois broker applicants must pass the state and national portions of the real estate examination. The examination is administered through the state’s testing vendor, and examination results are transmitted to IDFPR by the vendor.

Study topics commonly include:

Real estate ownership and interests.
Contracts and agency.
Real estate finance.
Illinois license law and regulations.
Fair housing and consumer protection.
Property management and leasing concepts.
Real estate calculations.
Brokerage operations and professional responsibilities.

Use the current examination candidate handbook and your school’s preparation materials for the latest registration instructions, testing rules, and content outline.

3. Complete fingerprinting and the background check

Illinois applicants should expect a criminal-history background check as part of the licensing process. Fingerprints are typically submitted through an approved process or vendor, and the results are reviewed as part of the application.

Fingerprinting fees and procedures can vary by vendor and location. A prior criminal record does not necessarily mean an applicant cannot become licensed, but applicants should answer all questions accurately and provide any explanations or documentation requested by IDFPR.

Because fingerprinting instructions can change, follow the current directions provided by IDFPR and the application or testing provider rather than relying on an older checklist.

4. Pass the examination

You must pass the required examination before completing the final licensing step. If you do not pass, retesting rules, waiting periods, and additional fees may apply. The testing provider—not IDFPR—generally collects examination fees, so the total cost should be confirmed directly through the current testing instructions.

5. Submit the license application

After completing education and examination requirements, submit the broker license application through the current IDFPR process. IDFPR’s online broker licensing instructions list a $125 application fee.

The total amount you spend will usually be higher because it may also include:

Pre-license course tuition.
Examination fees.
Fingerprinting and background-check charges.
Application processing or payment fees.
Brokerage-related onboarding costs.
Local transportation, marketing, association, or technology expenses.

These costs vary, so confirm each amount before enrolling or scheduling the examination. IDFPR also states that testing fees must be paid to the test provider rather than through its general online payment portal.

6. Find a sponsoring broker

An Illinois broker generally must be sponsored by a sponsoring broker before practicing under the license. Sponsorship connects you with a licensed brokerage that supervises your work and provides the legal and operational structure for conducting transactions.

When comparing brokerages serving Roxana and the surrounding area, ask about:

Commission splits and transaction fees.
Desk, technology, or monthly fees.
Training for newly licensed brokers.
Mentorship and transaction support.
Lead-generation expectations.
Marketing policies.
Office, showing, and scheduling support.
Coverage areas in the Metro East and surrounding communities.
Independent-contractor paperwork and business expenses.

The highest commission split is not always the best option for a new agent. Training, supervision, reliable transaction support, and opportunities to build local relationships may be more valuable during the first year.

How Long Does It Take?

The timeline depends on how quickly you complete the 75-hour education requirement, how often examination appointments are available, how soon fingerprinting can be completed, and how quickly IDFPR processes a complete application.

A motivated student may finish the coursework in a relatively short period, while someone studying part time may take longer. Examination retakes, incomplete documentation, background-check questions, or difficulty finding a sponsoring broker can extend the process.

For an accurate timeline, plan backward from your preferred start date and verify current processing and examination availability before making employment or financial commitments.

Illinois Real Estate License Renewal and Education

New Illinois brokers must complete 45 hours of post-license education during the first renewal period. The post-license curriculum includes required subject matter, including sexual-harassment-prevention training.

After the initial post-license period, brokers must complete continuing education for each applicable renewal cycle. The exact requirements can depend on when the license was first issued and the renewal period involved. For example, IDFPR’s current materials distinguish between brokers first licensed during different periods and identify separate post-license or continuing-education requirements.

All post-license and continuing-education courses should be completed through an IDFPR-approved real estate education provider. Keep completion records and monitor renewal deadlines rather than waiting until the end of the renewal period.

Potential Earnings in Illinois

Real estate income is not guaranteed and can vary substantially. Many agents are paid through commissions or commission splits rather than a fixed salary. Income can depend on transaction volume, sales prices, brokerage arrangements, expenses, market conditions, experience, and the amount of time spent prospecting and serving clients.

Public wage data reported for Illinois real estate sales agents show a mean annual wage of approximately $57,260 and a reported range from about $35,830 at the 10th percentile to $79,750 at the 90th percentile in the cited May 2025 data. These figures should not be interpreted as a guaranteed income for a new broker in Roxana, and they may include workers with different experience levels and compensation arrangements.

New agents should prepare for an uneven income pattern, particularly during the early months when they are developing contacts and waiting for transactions to close. A realistic financial plan may include:

Savings for licensing and startup costs.
A budget for several months of variable income.
Transportation and vehicle expenses.
Marketing and technology costs.
Brokerage and transaction fees.
Taxes and insurance.
Continuing-education expenses.

Career Opportunities for Roxana Real Estate Brokers

A Roxana-area broker may pursue several real estate career paths, depending on training, market conditions, and brokerage opportunities. Potential activities include:

Residential buyer representation.
Residential listing and seller representation.
Rental and leasing assistance.
Relocation services.
Investment-property transactions.
New-construction sales.
Property-management-related work, where properly authorized.
Commercial real estate, after obtaining suitable training and supervision.
Referral-based real estate business.
Future advancement toward a managing broker license.

Local success generally depends on building trust and maintaining consistent professional relationships. Useful sources of business may include personal referrals, community networking, past clients, local businesses, lenders, attorneys, contractors, and other real estate professionals.

A new broker should avoid presenting local market claims, expected sales volume, or income projections as facts unless they are supported by current, reliable data. Roxana residents may also consider the broader surrounding market when choosing a brokerage, but the appropriate service area should be based on actual business capacity and client needs.

Tips for Starting Successfully

Choose an approved education provider with a format that fits your schedule.
Study Illinois license law in addition to general national real estate concepts.
Confirm examination and fingerprinting instructions before scheduling appointments.
Interview several sponsoring brokers before selecting one.
Ask for written explanations of commission splits, fees, and independent-contractor obligations.
Build a financial reserve for variable income.
Learn the neighborhoods and property types you intend to serve.
Maintain accurate records of education, applications, expenses, and transactions.
Complete post-license education well before the deadline.
Continue learning about contracts, fair housing, ethics, technology, and negotiation.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Illinois generally requires a high school diploma or GED for a broker license, not a four-year college degree.

How many hours of education are required in Illinois?

The standard Illinois broker pre-license requirement is 75 hours of approved education.

Can the Illinois real estate course be completed online?

Yes, approved Illinois education may be available through online distance education, live interactive webinars, or other permitted formats. Confirm that the specific provider and course are approved before enrolling.

How much does an Illinois real estate license cost?

IDFPR’s online broker licensing instructions list a $125 application fee. Course tuition, examination fees, fingerprinting, background-check charges, and other expenses are additional and can vary.

Do I need a sponsoring broker?

Yes. An Illinois broker generally must be sponsored by a sponsoring broker to practice real estate under the license.

Is fingerprinting required?

Applicants should expect a fingerprint-based background-check process and must follow the current IDFPR instructions. Procedures and vendor charges can change, so verify the details when submitting the application.

What happens after I receive my first broker license?

A newly licensed broker must complete 45 hours of post-license education during the first renewal period. Continuing education is required during later renewal cycles.

How much money can a new real estate agent make?

There is no guaranteed income. Public Illinois wage data reported for real estate sales agents show a mean annual wage of approximately $57,260, but individual earnings can be much lower or higher depending on experience, commissions, transactions, expenses, and brokerage terms.

Authoritative Sources