How to Get Your Real Estate License in Summit, Illinois

Becoming a real estate agent in Summit, Illinois, starts with completing Illinois-approved education, passing the state licensing examination, and affiliating with a sponsoring broker. A reputable Illinois pre-licensing course can help you complete the required coursework online and prepare for both the national and Illinois portions of the exam.

Although Summit is a village in Cook County, real estate licensing is regulated statewide. You do not apply for a separate Summit license; you apply for an Illinois real estate broker license through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, commonly called IDFPR.

Illinois Real Estate License Requirements

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

Be at least 18 years old.
Have a high school diploma or GED.
Meet Illinois standards concerning good moral character.
Complete 75 hours of approved pre-license education.
Pass the required licensing examination.
Submit a license application and the applicable fee.
Complete any required background check and fingerprinting.
Obtain sponsorship from an Illinois sponsoring broker before practicing.

Illinois law identifies 75 hours of approved real estate instruction as a broker-licensing requirement, including required instruction involving situational and case studies. IDFPR’s professional requirements summary also lists the minimum age, high school education, examination, sponsorship, and post-license requirements.

A prior criminal record does not automatically mean an applicant cannot become licensed. However, applicants should disclose required information accurately and contact IDFPR if they are uncertain how a conviction or disciplinary history may affect eligibility.

Complete 75 Hours of Pre-Licensing Education

The Illinois broker pre-license curriculum requires 75 hours of approved education. The coursework is designed to introduce the legal, practical, and ethical principles used in residential and commercial real estate.

Course topics commonly include:

Illinois real estate license law and regulations.
Agency relationships and fiduciary duties.
Contracts and disclosures.
Real estate finance and mortgages.
Property ownership and transfer.
Fair housing and civil rights requirements.
Leasing and property management concepts.
Real estate mathematics.
Brokerage operations.
Risk management and professional conduct.
Situational and case-study applications.

The education must be completed through an IDFPR-approved provider. Before enrolling, confirm that the provider and specific course are approved for the current Illinois broker pre-license curriculum.

Online Illinois Pre-Licensing Courses

Online education can be useful for Summit residents who need a flexible schedule around work, family, or other obligations. Depending on the provider and course format, online study may be self-paced, instructor-led, or delivered through a live interactive webinar.

When comparing online courses, check:

Whether the provider is approved by IDFPR.
Whether the course satisfies the full 75-hour requirement.
Whether required interactive or case-study instruction is included.
How attendance and identity verification are handled.
Whether practice exams and instructor support are available.
The deadline for completing the course.
Whether course materials and exam preparation are included in the price.

An online course does not eliminate the licensing examination, application, background-check, or sponsoring-broker requirements. For a flexible preparation option, review this Illinois real estate pre-licensing course and verify that its current curriculum meets Illinois requirements before registering.

Submit the Illinois License Application

After completing the required education and passing the licensing examination, submit the Illinois broker license application through the process specified by IDFPR. The application generally requires personal information, education details, examination information, and answers concerning professional or criminal history.

IDFPR’s online licensing instructions list a $125 broker license application fee. Fees and procedures can change, so confirm the current amount and payment instructions on the official IDFPR application page before submitting.

A complete application may require supporting documentation. Failure to answer background or character questions accurately can delay review or create additional licensing problems.

Background Check and Fingerprinting

Illinois applicants may need to complete a criminal background check and submit fingerprints through an authorized vendor or process designated by IDFPR. Fingerprint requirements, vendor procedures, identification requirements, and costs can change.

Before scheduling fingerprinting:

Follow the current IDFPR instructions.
Use only an authorized fingerprinting provider or method.
Bring the required identification.
Keep confirmation and receipt documents.
Submit results according to the application instructions.
Disclose required information consistently on the application.

Fingerprinting is a separate expense from the education course, examination, and license application fee. The current cost depends on the authorized service provider and applicable processing charges.

Pass the Illinois Real Estate Licensing Exam

Illinois broker applicants must pass the licensing examination administered by the state’s testing vendor. The exam includes national real estate principles and Illinois-specific laws and practices. IDFPR’s licensing materials state that examination results are transmitted to the Division of Real Estate by the testing vendor.

Prepare by studying both the general and Illinois-specific material. Important areas include:

Property ownership.
Contracts.
Agency.
Financing.
Valuation.
Real estate calculations.
Fair housing.
Illinois license law.
Illinois brokerage rules.
Disclosures and consumer protections.

If you do not pass, follow the testing vendor’s rules concerning score reports, retakes, waiting periods, and additional examination fees. Those details may vary and should be confirmed directly through the current examination provider.

Illinois Real Estate License Costs

The total cost of becoming a real estate agent in Summit depends on the provider, testing arrangements, fingerprinting method, and whether additional study materials are purchased.

Potential expenses include:

Tuition for the 75-hour pre-license course.
Textbooks or digital study materials, if not included.
Practice examinations or exam-preparation products.
Licensing examination fees.
Fingerprinting and background-check fees.
The Illinois broker license application fee.
Professional insurance, association, MLS, marketing, or brokerage expenses after licensing.

The Illinois broker application fee identified in current IDFPR instructions is $125. Because education, testing, fingerprinting, and business expenses can change, calculate the full budget using current prices from the provider, testing vendor, fingerprinting vendor, and IDFPR.

How Long Does It Take?

There is no single guaranteed timeline for obtaining an Illinois real estate license. The process may take several weeks or longer depending on:

How quickly you complete the 75-hour course.
Exam availability.
Whether you need to retake the exam.
Fingerprinting and background-check processing.
Application completeness.
IDFPR review time.
How quickly you select a sponsoring broker.

Self-paced online education may allow some applicants to progress more quickly, while part-time study may take longer. Avoid relying on a fixed completion date until you have confirmed current processing times with the education provider, testing vendor, and IDFPR.

Find an Illinois Sponsoring Broker

A newly licensed Illinois broker generally must be sponsored by a sponsoring broker to practice real estate. The sponsoring broker is responsible for supervising licensed activities and operating the brokerage in accordance with Illinois law.

When evaluating brokerages serving Summit and nearby communities, ask about:

Commission splits and transaction fees.
Monthly, desk, technology, or administrative fees.
Training and mentorship.
Lead distribution.
Office and transaction support.
Marketing requirements.
Technology platforms.
Contract review and compliance procedures.
Whether the brokerage serves residential, commercial, leasing, or relocation clients.
The process for changing sponsorship later.

The best brokerage is not necessarily the one advertising the highest commission split. New agents should also consider supervision, training, support, and the total cost of maintaining the business.

You should not conduct licensed brokerage activities independently before meeting Illinois sponsorship and licensing requirements.

Complete Post-License Education

New Illinois brokers must complete 45 hours of post-license education during the initial license period, subject to the applicable renewal schedule and statutory exceptions. The Illinois Real Estate License Act describes the post-license requirement and approved course structure, which includes applied brokerage principles, risk management and discipline, and transactional issues.

IDFPR states that newly issued brokers must complete the 45-hour post-license education requirement during the first license term; a broker licensed close to the first renewal deadline may receive additional time under the applicable rule.

The post-license curriculum is not the same as the initial 75-hour course. It focuses more directly on applying brokerage knowledge in practice. Keep certificates and completion records, and verify that all education is taken through an IDFPR-approved provider.

Continuing Education After the First License Term

After completing the initial post-license requirement, Illinois brokers generally must complete ongoing continuing education for each renewal period. Illinois administrative rules specify 12 hours of continuing education during the applicable license term, except where the post-license requirement applies instead.

IDFPR’s current materials also distinguish between licensees based on when their broker license was first issued. Requirements may include core education, electives, and sexual-harassment-prevention training, depending on the renewal period.

Because Illinois education requirements can change, check the current renewal notice and IDFPR continuing-education guidance rather than relying on an older course advertisement.

Potential Earnings in Summit, Illinois

Real estate income is highly variable. Agents commonly earn income from commissions or other compensation connected to completed transactions, but earnings depend on closed business and the terms of the agent’s agreement with the brokerage.

Factors that can affect earnings include:

Number of closed transactions.
Property prices and transaction types.
Commission arrangements.
Brokerage splits and fees.
Referral income, where permitted.
Repeat and referral business.
Marketing and lead-generation costs.
Time spent prospecting, showing property, negotiating, and completing transactions.
Whether real estate is full-time or part-time work.

Public wage data may combine real estate sales agents with broader occupations or report wages by state rather than by municipality. It may also exclude self-employed agents or fail to reflect business expenses. For that reason, a statewide or national wage figure should not be treated as a guaranteed salary for a Summit agent.

New agents should plan for an irregular income period and maintain funds for licensing, transportation, marketing, technology, association, and other business costs.

Career Opportunities for Licensed Agents

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

Residential buyer representation.
Residential listing and seller representation.
Leasing and rental transactions.
New-construction sales.
Relocation services.
Commercial real estate.
Investment-property transactions.
Property management-related work, when properly authorized.
Real estate referrals.
Future advancement toward managing-broker licensure.

Local knowledge can be valuable in Summit and surrounding communities, but a successful practice also requires compliance, responsiveness, market research, negotiation skills, and consistent client service. Agents should avoid making claims about schools, transportation, taxes, zoning, development, or property values without verifying current information from authoritative sources.

A Practical Path to Licensure

A typical path is:

Confirm that you meet Illinois age and education requirements.
Select an IDFPR-approved 75-hour broker pre-license course.
Complete the required education and retain proof of completion.
Schedule and pass the Illinois broker licensing examination.
Complete fingerprinting or background-check steps required by IDFPR.
Submit the application and current fee.
Choose an Illinois sponsoring broker.
Complete the required 45-hour post-license education.
Complete continuing education for later renewal periods.
Build a compliant business plan for serving clients in Summit and nearby areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a separate real estate license for Summit?

No. Summit does not issue a separate municipal real estate salesperson license. Real estate brokers are licensed under Illinois law through IDFPR.

How many hours of education are required?

The current Illinois broker pathway requires 75 hours of approved pre-license education. Newly licensed brokers generally must also complete 45 hours of post-license education during the initial license period.

Can I take the pre-license course online?

Online options are available, but the provider and course must satisfy current IDFPR approval and delivery requirements. Confirm that any online course includes all required instruction before enrolling.

How much does an Illinois real estate license cost?

The current IDFPR online licensing instructions list a $125 broker application fee. The total cost is higher after adding course tuition, examination, fingerprinting, and other professional expenses.

Do I need a sponsoring broker?

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

Is real estate income guaranteed?

No. Compensation depends on completed transactions, brokerage agreements, expenses, market conditions, and business development. Public wage figures are not guarantees of earnings for an individual Summit agent.

When should I complete continuing education?

Complete the required 45-hour post-license education during the initial license period when applicable. After that, complete the continuing education required for the relevant Illinois renewal period through an approved provider.

Authoritative Sources