How to Get Your Real Estate License in Tennessee, Illinois

If you want to become a real estate agent serving Tennessee, Illinois, and nearby communities, the first step is completing Illinois-approved pre-licensing education. A flexible Illinois pre-licensing course can help you complete the required coursework online and prepare for the state licensing examination while maintaining your current schedule.

Illinois real estate professionals are generally licensed as real estate brokers. After meeting the education, examination, application, background-check, and sponsorship requirements, a new broker may work with buyers, sellers, landlords, and investors through an Illinois-licensed sponsoring brokerage.

Illinois Real Estate License Requirements

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, or IDFPR, establishes the requirements for an Illinois real estate broker license. The main requirements include:

Meeting the minimum age requirement.
Having a high school diploma or GED.
Completing approved pre-license education.
Passing the Illinois real estate licensing examination.
Completing the application and paying the applicable fee.
Completing the required background check and fingerprinting process.
Obtaining sponsorship from an Illinois sponsoring broker for an active license.

IDFPR’s professional-requirements summary lists a minimum age of 18, a high school diploma or GED, 75 hours of pre-license education, passage of both the state and national examination portions, broker sponsorship, and 45 hours of post-license education during the first renewal period.

Applicants should review the current IDFPR application instructions before enrolling or applying. IDFPR materials have not always displayed identical age, education, and fee language across documents, so the current application checklist and Illinois administrative rules should control if a discrepancy appears.

Step 1: Complete the Required Education

How many hours are required?

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

The education typically covers subjects such as:

Real estate principles.
Illinois real estate law.
Agency relationships.
Contracts.
Fair housing.
Property ownership.
Financing.
Leasing and property management.
Professional responsibilities.
Real estate mathematics.
License law and regulatory requirements.

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

Can you take the course online?

Many students choose online education because it can be more convenient than attending a traditional classroom. Online formats may include self-paced lessons, scheduled livestream classes, quizzes, practice exams, or a combination of these options.

Before enrolling, confirm that:

The provider is approved for Illinois real estate education.
The program contains the full required number of hours.
The course satisfies the broker pre-license requirement.
The provider explains attendance, identity-verification, testing, and completion rules.
You will receive documentation needed for the license application.

For a convenient starting point, review this Illinois real estate pre-licensing option and compare its format with your schedule and study preferences.

Step 2: Prepare for the Illinois Licensing Exam

After completing the required education, you must pass the Illinois real estate broker licensing examination. The examination includes state and national content, and IDFPR materials identify AMP as the examination administrator.

Topics may include:

National real estate practices.
Property ownership.
Land-use controls.
Valuation and market analysis.
Financing.
General contracts.
Agency.
Transfer of title.
Illinois license law and regulations.

A practical study plan should include:

Complete every course assignment and end-of-course examination.
Review Illinois-specific license law separately from national concepts.
Use timed practice questions.
Focus on terminology, calculations, agency duties, and contract principles.
Schedule the exam only after consistently passing practice tests.

If you do not pass, follow the testing vendor’s current retake and scheduling instructions. The number of attempts, waiting periods, and examination charges can change, so confirm them directly through the current candidate handbook.

Step 3: Complete the Background Check and Fingerprinting

Illinois applicants should expect a criminal-history review as part of the licensing process. Fingerprints are generally submitted through an authorized collection provider using the process specified by IDFPR and the examination or application system.

When completing this step:

Use an approved fingerprint vendor.
Bring the identification documents requested by the vendor.
Make sure your name and identifying information match your application.
Keep the receipt or transaction confirmation.
Disclose prior criminal matters accurately when the application asks for them.

A criminal record does not automatically mean an applicant cannot obtain a license. However, omissions or inaccurate answers can create additional problems. Applicants with prior convictions, disciplinary history, or licensing issues should contact IDFPR or obtain qualified legal advice before submitting the application.

Because fingerprinting procedures, vendor locations, and fees can change, check the current IDFPR instructions rather than relying on an older checklist.

Step 4: Apply for the Illinois Broker License

Once you have completed the education and examination requirements, submit the Illinois broker license application through the process identified by IDFPR.

The application generally requires:

Personal and contact information.
Proof of education.
Examination results.
High school diploma or GED information.
Background and disciplinary disclosures.
Fingerprint or background-check information, when required.
The applicable application fee.
Sponsoring-broker information if you want an active license.

IDFPR’s online broker instructions identify an application fee, but published IDFPR materials have shown different amounts at different times. One current instruction document lists $125, while an IDFPR licensing brochure lists $150 for an initial broker license. Confirm the amount displayed in the current application system before paying; licensing fees are generally nonrefundable.

Step 5: Find a Sponsoring Broker

A newly licensed Illinois broker normally needs a sponsoring broker to practice with an active license. The sponsoring broker is an Illinois-licensed brokerage professional or firm that supervises the broker’s activities and provides the legal and operational structure for conducting business.

When evaluating brokerages serving Tennessee and the surrounding area, ask about:

Commission splits and transaction fees.
Monthly desk or technology fees.
Training and mentorship.
Lead distribution.
Office and transaction support.
Marketing policies.
Contract and compliance review.
Availability of remote or hybrid work.
Geographic coverage in western and central Illinois.
Whether the firm works with residential, commercial, land, rental, or investment clients.

A license without sponsorship may be issued in inactive status. IDFPR materials state that active status requires sponsorship, while an application without a sponsor may result in an inactive license.

Do not choose a brokerage solely because it advertises the highest commission split. For a new agent, supervision, training, transaction support, and lead opportunities may be more valuable than a nominally higher split.

Expected Costs

The total cost depends on the school, testing appointments, fingerprinting, application fees, business expenses, and brokerage arrangements.

Typical expense categories include:

Approved pre-license education.
Course materials and exam preparation.
Licensing examination fee.
Fingerprinting and background-check fee.
Initial license application fee.
Errors-and-omissions insurance, if required by the brokerage or business arrangement.
Association and multiple-listing-service charges, if applicable.
Brokerage, technology, and transaction fees.
Marketing, signs, photography, mileage, and client-meeting expenses.

The initial Illinois broker application fee should be verified before submission because IDFPR materials currently show different published amounts. The cost of education and private business expenses also varies by provider and brokerage.

How Long Does It Take?

There is no single guaranteed timeline for becoming licensed in Illinois. The process depends on:

How quickly you complete the 75-hour course.
How soon examination appointments are available.
Whether you pass on the first attempt.
How quickly fingerprint and background information is processed.
Whether the application is complete.
How quickly a sponsoring broker submits the required sponsorship information.

A student taking an online course may finish the education requirement faster or slower than a classroom student. Avoid relying on a promised overall timeline unless it is based on your course schedule, testing availability, and IDFPR processing conditions.

First Renewal: Post-License Education

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

Post-license education is separate from the initial 75-hour pre-license course. It is intended to help new brokers transition into practice and develop a stronger understanding of transactions, compliance, and professional responsibilities.

Keep completion records and monitor IDFPR deadlines. Missing post-license education can affect renewal and the ability to continue practicing.

Continuing Education After the First Renewal

After the initial post-license period, Illinois brokers must complete continuing education for each subsequent renewal period.

The exact number and category of hours can vary by renewal cycle. IDFPR materials for a recent renewal cycle describe a 6-hour core course, elective education, and a sexual-harassment-prevention component for brokers, while broker management licensees have additional management education requirements.

Because continuing-education rules may be updated, check the current IDFPR renewal information for:

The renewal deadline.
Required core hours.
Elective-hour requirements.
Sexual-harassment-prevention training.
Any new mandated topics.
Renewal fees.
Active versus inactive license requirements.

Potential Earnings in Illinois

Real estate income is usually commission-based and can vary substantially. A broker’s gross commission income is not the same as take-home pay because commissions may be divided among the transaction sides, brokerage, team, and other parties. Agents also pay business expenses and taxes.

For an objective benchmark, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Illinois mean annual wages of $44,510 for real estate sales agents and $100,160 for real estate brokers in its May 2022 state occupational wage data. These figures are statewide occupational estimates, not guaranteed earnings for a new agent in Tennessee, Illinois, and they may not reflect current local conditions.

Actual earnings may depend on:

Number of closed transactions.
Property types and price ranges.
Commission agreements.
Brokerage split and fees.
Referral and repeat business.
Lead generation.
Market conditions.
Time devoted to the business.
Experience and negotiation ability.

New agents should budget for an uneven income pattern, particularly while building a client base.

Career Opportunities for a Tennessee, Illinois, Broker

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

Residential buyer representation.
Residential listing services.
Relocation assistance.
New-construction sales.
Land and acreage transactions.
Farm and rural property sales.
Rental and leasing services, subject to applicable rules.
Commercial real estate.
Property investment and acquisitions.
Referral-based real estate work.
Transaction coordination or brokerage operations.
Future advancement toward managing broker licensure.

Local relevance does not require limiting your business to the village itself. A Tennessee-based agent may serve clients in nearby communities, depending on the brokerage’s service area, local market knowledge, and business plan. Avoid representing that you provide services in a jurisdiction or property specialty unless your brokerage authorizes it and you understand the applicable rules.

Practical Tips for Starting Locally

Learn the neighborhoods, property types, roads, schools, and community features you can discuss accurately.
Build a referral network with lenders, attorneys, inspectors, contractors, insurance professionals, and other permitted service providers.
Create a written marketing budget before ordering signs, advertisements, or paid leads.
Use brokerage-approved forms and advertising.
Keep detailed records of client communications and transaction documents.
Attend inspections, showings, closings, and local meetings to develop practical knowledge.
Explain your license status and role clearly to prospective clients.
Focus on consistent follow-up rather than assuming a license alone will generate business.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Tennessee, Illinois, a separate real estate licensing jurisdiction?

No. Tennessee is an Illinois municipality, so real estate activity there is governed by Illinois licensing requirements. The license is issued by Illinois rather than by the village.

Do I need a college degree?

A college degree is not listed as a standard requirement for an Illinois real estate broker license. IDFPR’s requirements identify a high school diploma or GED and approved pre-license education.

Can I get licensed without joining a brokerage?

You may be able to hold an inactive license without sponsorship, but an active Illinois broker generally must be sponsored by an Illinois sponsoring broker.

How many education hours are required before the exam?

The standard broker pathway requires 75 hours of approved pre-license education.

Is the online course self-paced?

That depends on the provider. Review the school’s current course rules to determine whether it is self-paced, livestreamed, or a combination of formats. The provider must satisfy Illinois approval requirements.

What happens after I pass the exam?

Complete the application, background-check and fingerprinting steps, pay the applicable fee, and arrange sponsorship if you want an active license. Passing the examination alone does not complete the licensing process.

How much can a new real estate agent earn?

There is no guaranteed amount. Illinois statewide wage data provide a broad benchmark, but individual earnings vary with transaction volume, commission arrangements, expenses, and experience.

When do I take post-license education?

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

Final Checklist

Confirm that you meet Illinois eligibility requirements.
Enroll in an IDFPR-approved 75-hour pre-license course.
Complete all required coursework.
Schedule and pass the state and national examination portions.
Complete fingerprinting and the background-check process.
Submit the broker application and current fee.
Select an Illinois sponsoring broker.
Confirm that your license is active before practicing.
Complete the 45-hour first-renewal post-license requirement.
Track future continuing-education and renewal deadlines.

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