How to Get Your Real Estate License in Shorewood, Illinois

Becoming a real estate agent in Shorewood, Illinois, starts with completing state-approved education, passing the Illinois broker licensing examination, and working with a sponsoring broker. A flexible online option such as the Illinois pre-licensing course from Leap can help prospective agents complete the required coursework while preparing for a career serving Shorewood and surrounding Will County communities.

Illinois generally licenses entry-level real estate professionals as brokers, although many people still use the term “real estate agent” in everyday conversation. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) oversees the licensing process, education providers, applications, examinations, and renewals.

Illinois Real Estate Broker Requirements

Before applying for an Illinois real estate broker license, an applicant must generally:

Be at least 18 years old.
Have a high school diploma or GED.
Meet the state’s character and fitness requirements.
Complete the required Illinois-approved pre-license education.
Pass the Illinois broker licensing examination.
Complete the application and pay the required state fee.
Satisfy the fingerprinting and background-check requirements, when applicable.
Obtain sponsorship from an Illinois sponsoring broker.

IDFPR’s professional requirements document identifies the entry-level license as a real estate broker and lists a minimum age of 18, a high school diploma or GED, 75 hours of pre-license education, successful completion of the state and national examination, and sponsorship by a sponsoring broker.

Applicants should review the current IDFPR application instructions before enrolling or applying because administrative instructions, forms, and procedures can change.

How Many Education Hours Are Required?

Illinois requires 75 hours of approved pre-license education for a broker applicant. The curriculum includes foundational real estate subjects and required instruction involving situational and case-study material.

A qualifying course typically covers topics such as:

Illinois real estate license law.
Agency relationships and fiduciary duties.
Real estate contracts.
Property ownership and land use.
Finance and mortgage principles.
Fair housing and federal regulations.
Leasing and property management concepts.
Real estate calculations.
Professional conduct and risk management.
Illinois-specific brokerage practices.

The education must come from a provider and course approved by IDFPR. Completing an unrelated real estate class or an unapproved online program may not satisfy the licensing requirement.

Online Illinois Pre-Licensing Courses

Illinois permits approved real estate education through online distance education, subject to state rules and provider requirements. Online study can be useful for Shorewood residents who work full time, manage family responsibilities, or prefer a self-paced format.

When comparing online real estate schools, check whether the course:

Is approved for Illinois broker pre-license education.
Provides the complete required number of hours.
Includes Illinois-specific licensing content.
Clearly explains attendance, identity verification, and testing rules.
Offers access to instructors or academic support.
Includes practice questions or exam-preparation materials.
Provides documentation of course completion for the license application.

An online course is not necessarily easier than classroom instruction. Students still need to understand Illinois law, complete all required coursework, and prepare for both the national and state portions of the licensing examination.

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Confirm eligibility

Review the current IDFPR requirements for age, education, character, and any special circumstances that could affect eligibility. Applicants with criminal records, professional discipline, or licensing issues should disclose information accurately and contact IDFPR if they need guidance.

2. Complete approved pre-license education

Enroll in an IDFPR-approved 75-hour broker pre-license program. Keep the completion certificate and other records supplied by the education provider.

3. Prepare for the licensing examination

The Illinois broker examination includes state and national content. Study the course materials, Illinois license law, real estate principles, contracts, finance, agency, and calculations.

4. Register for and pass the examination

The examination is administered by the state’s testing vendor. IDFPR’s licensing instructions state that applicants must successfully pass the license examination and that the testing vendor transmits results to the Division of Real Estate.

Applicants should use the current examination candidate information and registration instructions because testing fees, scheduling procedures, identification rules, and retake policies can change.

5. Complete fingerprinting and the background check

Illinois may require an applicant to submit fingerprints for a criminal-history background check. Fingerprinting is generally completed through an authorized vendor or location identified in the current IDFPR instructions.

The fingerprinting fee is separate from the license application fee and can vary by vendor. Follow the current instructions carefully, including the required fingerprint format, authorization forms, identification, and submission deadline.

A criminal record does not automatically mean an applicant cannot become licensed. However, omissions or inaccurate answers can create additional problems. Applicants should disclose required information and seek clarification from IDFPR when appropriate.

6. Submit the broker license application

After completing education and examination requirements, submit the Illinois broker application through the method specified by IDFPR. The current IDFPR online licensing instructions list a $125 application fee for a real estate broker license.

The total startup cost is higher than the state application fee because applicants may also pay for:

Pre-license education.
Examination registration.
Fingerprinting and background-check processing.
Exam preparation materials.
Professional membership or business expenses after licensing.
Brokerage onboarding or transaction-related costs, depending on the sponsoring company.

Course prices and third-party fees vary, so compare the provider’s current price and what it includes before enrolling.

Sponsoring Broker Requirements

A newly licensed Illinois broker generally cannot practice independently immediately after receiving the license. The broker must be sponsored by a sponsoring broker, usually through a licensed real estate brokerage.

The sponsoring broker relationship allows the new licensee to conduct activities under the supervision and policies of the brokerage. A sponsoring broker may provide:

Transaction supervision.
Contract and compliance guidance.
Forms and transaction systems.
Training and mentorship.
Access to listing and marketing tools.
Office, technology, or administrative support.

Brokerage compensation structures differ. Some companies use commission splits, desk fees, transaction fees, monthly fees, or combinations of these arrangements. Ask prospective brokerages for a written explanation of fees, splits, training, lead distribution, technology charges, and termination policies before signing an agreement.

For someone entering the Shorewood market, interviewing several brokerages in the broader local area can help identify the supervision and training environment that best fits a new agent’s goals. The brokerage does not have to be located inside Shorewood for the agent to build a business serving Shorewood clients, but the license and sponsorship must comply with Illinois rules.

Illinois Broker Licensing Examination

The Illinois broker exam tests both general real estate knowledge and Illinois-specific law. Key study areas include:

Property ownership.
Land descriptions.
Valuation and market analysis.
Financing and settlement.
Contracts.
Agency and brokerage relationships.
Leasing and property management.
Real estate calculations.
Fair housing.
Illinois license law and regulations.

A practical study plan should include:

Completing every course assignment.
Reviewing incorrect answers on practice tests.
Memorizing key formulas and definitions.
Separating national concepts from Illinois-specific rules.
Taking timed practice exams.
Confirming the current testing requirements before exam day.

If an applicant does not pass, the applicable retesting process and fees should be confirmed with the testing vendor and IDFPR. Avoid relying on old exam-preparation materials because Illinois requirements and examination procedures can be revised.

How Long Does It Take to Become Licensed?

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

How quickly the applicant completes the 75-hour course.
Course final-exam and completion procedures.
Examination appointment availability.
Whether the applicant passes on the first attempt.
Fingerprint processing.
Application review.
Whether IDFPR requests additional information.
Sponsoring broker selection.

A full-time student may complete the education faster than someone studying around work or family obligations. Applicants should plan for the possibility of additional time if they need to retake the examination or resolve background-check or application questions.

Post-License Education

New Illinois brokers must complete 45 hours of post-license education during the first license term. 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 administered by the education provider.

The post-license requirement must generally be completed before the first renewal deadline. A special timing rule applies when the initial broker license is issued within 180 days before the first renewal deadline; in that situation, the education may be due by the second renewal deadline.

The 45-hour post-license education fulfills the continuing-education obligation for the initial license term, according to Illinois rules.

Continuing Education After the First Renewal

After the initial license period, Illinois brokers generally must complete 12 hours of continuing education during each license term. The education must come from approved courses and includes the curriculum required for the applicable renewal period.

Real estate professionals should track:

The license expiration date.
The current renewal cycle.
Required core and elective courses.
Any special mandated topics.
Course completion records.
Renewal submission deadlines.

Continuing-education rules can change, and additional requirements may apply to specific license categories or circumstances. Always confirm the current renewal requirements with IDFPR before selecting courses.

Real Estate License Costs in Illinois

The cost of entering the real estate profession varies. The current IDFPR online broker licensing instructions list a $125 broker application fee.

Other expenses are variable and may include:

Pre-license course tuition.
Examination fee.
Fingerprinting and background-check fee.
Retesting costs, if required.
Renewal fees.
Post-license education.
Continuing education.
Association or multiple-listing-service charges.
Errors-and-omissions coverage or brokerage charges.
Marketing, transportation, technology, and business expenses.

Because education providers, testing vendors, fingerprinting vendors, and brokerages set or collect different charges, applicants should verify each current fee directly before budgeting.

Potential Earnings for Illinois Real Estate Agents

Real estate income is not guaranteed. A broker’s earnings may depend on completed transactions, commission arrangements, market conditions, business expenses, experience, specialization, hours worked, and the agreement with the sponsoring brokerage.

Public wage data can help provide broad occupational context, but statewide or national wage figures do not predict what a particular Shorewood agent will earn. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports wage information for the broader real estate sales and brokerage occupation, while many agents are paid primarily through commissions rather than a fixed salary. Review the latest BLS data and interpret it cautiously because it may not reflect new agents, part-time agents, independent expenses, or local commission arrangements.

New agents should create a conservative financial plan that accounts for an uncertain ramp-up period. Important questions include:

How many months of living expenses are available?
What will licensing and brokerage expenses cost?
How much will transportation and marketing require?
Does the brokerage provide leads?
What percentage of each commission is retained after splits and fees?
How are taxes and business expenses handled?

Career Opportunities in the Shorewood Area

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

Residential buyer representation.
Residential listing services.
Relocation assistance.
New-construction sales.
Leasing and rental representation.
Property management, where permitted and properly structured.
Commercial real estate.
Land and investment property.
Real estate referrals.
Transaction coordination or brokerage operations.

Shorewood-based agents may serve clients throughout the surrounding Will County and greater Chicago-area market, subject to licensing, brokerage, and local business requirements. Success usually depends on developing market knowledge, building relationships, responding promptly, learning transaction procedures, and maintaining consistent prospecting and follow-up.

Local relevance should come from genuine knowledge of the communities served rather than unsupported claims about prices, demand, schools, employers, or transaction volume. A new agent can build useful expertise by studying local housing inventory, municipal rules, taxes, transportation, neighborhood characteristics, and publicly available market data.

How to Choose a Sponsoring Brokerage

Before selecting a brokerage, interview multiple companies and ask:

Who supervises new brokers?
What training is included?
Is mentoring available, and does it have a separate cost?
How are commissions split?
Are there monthly, desk, transaction, technology, or marketing fees?
Who supplies leads?
What happens when a client transaction has a compliance issue?
Which forms and transaction-management systems are used?
Is office attendance required?
Can the broker work part time?
What are the conditions for changing sponsorship?

The highest commission split is not always the best arrangement for a new agent. Strong supervision, practical training, accessible support, and clear fees can be more valuable during the first transactions.

FAQ

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

No. Illinois identifies a high school diploma or GED as the minimum education requirement for an entry-level real estate broker license.

How many hours of pre-license education are required?

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

Can the Illinois real estate course be completed online?

Approved education may be available through online distance education, depending on the provider and course approval. Confirm that the specific course is approved by IDFPR before enrolling.

How much is the Illinois broker application fee?

The current IDFPR online licensing instructions list a $125 application fee for a real estate broker license. Education, examination, fingerprinting, and other fees are separate and may vary.

Do new Illinois brokers need a sponsoring broker?

Yes. The IDFPR professional requirements document lists sponsorship by a sponsoring broker as part of the broker licensing requirements.

Is fingerprinting required?

Applicants may need to complete fingerprinting and a criminal-history background check according to current IDFPR procedures. Requirements and vendor charges should be confirmed in the current application instructions.

What education is required after receiving the license?

A new Illinois broker generally must complete 45 hours of post-license education during the first license term, consisting of three 15-hour courses with separate final examinations.

How much continuing education is required later?

Illinois brokers generally must complete 12 hours of approved continuing education during each subsequent license term.

Can a real estate agent work part time?

A broker may choose a part-time business model, but income, training access, brokerage policies, availability expectations, and client-service obligations vary. Discuss these details with prospective sponsoring brokerages.

Final Checklist for Shorewood Applicants

Confirm the current IDFPR eligibility requirements.
Choose an IDFPR-approved 75-hour pre-license course.
Complete the course and retain proof of completion.
Register for the Illinois broker examination.
Pass the state and national examination components.
Complete fingerprinting and background-check steps when required.
Submit the broker application and current fee.
Select an Illinois sponsoring broker.
Complete the 45-hour post-license requirement on time.
Track renewal dates and future continuing-education obligations.
Budget conservatively for variable startup and business expenses.
Build genuine knowledge of Shorewood and the surrounding communities served.

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