How to Get Your Real Estate License in Virginia, Illinois

Becoming a real estate agent in Virginia, Illinois, starts with completing Illinois-approved education and passing the state licensing examination. An online Illinois pre-licensing course can provide a flexible way to complete the required coursework while preparing for a career serving buyers, sellers, landlords, and investors in Virginia and surrounding communities.

In Illinois, the entry-level real estate license is generally called a broker license. After obtaining the license, a new broker must work with a sponsoring broker, complete required post-license education, and comply with ongoing renewal requirements.

Illinois Real Estate License Requirements

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

Be at least 18 years old.
Have a high school diploma or GED.
Complete 75 hours of approved broker pre-license education.
Pass the Illinois real estate licensing examination.
Complete the application process through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, or IDFPR.
Satisfy IDFPR’s background-check and fingerprinting requirements.
Obtain sponsorship from an Illinois-licensed sponsoring broker before practicing under the license.

IDFPR identifies the minimum age as 18, the minimum education as a high school diploma or GED, and the pre-license education requirement as 75 hours.

The Illinois broker license allows a licensee to perform real estate activities under the supervision of a sponsoring broker. It is different from a managing broker license, which has additional age, experience, education, and examination requirements.

Step 1: Complete 75 Hours of Pre-License Education

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

The curriculum includes instruction in subjects such as:

Real estate principles and practices
Illinois real estate law
Agency relationships
Contracts
Property ownership
Financing
Fair housing
License law and professional responsibilities
Real estate calculations
Transaction procedures

Illinois law also requires the 75-hour curriculum to include 15 hours involving situational and case-study instruction. This component may be delivered in a classroom, through a live interactive webinar, or through approved online distance education.

Online Real Estate Courses for Virginia Residents

Residents of Virginia, Illinois, do not necessarily need to attend an in-person school. Online education may be a practical option for people balancing work, family, or other responsibilities.

Before enrolling, confirm that the course:

Is offered by an IDFPR-approved education provider.
Includes the full 75-hour Illinois broker curriculum.
Explains how required exams are administered.
Provides a certificate or other completion documentation.
Clearly identifies whether instruction is self-paced, live online, or a combination of both.
Includes the required interactive or case-study component.

Online course formats and tuition vary by provider. The course price is separate from other potential expenses, such as examination, fingerprinting, application, and license fees.

Step 2: Prepare for the Illinois Licensing Exam

After completing the required education, applicants must pass the Illinois real estate broker licensing examination. The professional-requirements summary identifies both state and national examination components for the broker license.

The examination tests knowledge of general real estate principles as well as Illinois-specific laws and practices. Preparation commonly includes:

Reviewing course material and state law.
Taking practice questions.
Studying vocabulary and calculations.
Reviewing agency, contracts, financing, and disclosures.
Focusing on areas missed on practice tests.
Confirming current testing and registration instructions with the examination vendor or IDFPR.

An applicant who does not pass may need to follow the testing vendor’s rules regarding retakes, waiting periods, and additional fees. Those procedures can change, so verify them before scheduling the examination.

Step 3: Complete Fingerprinting and the Background Check

Illinois requires applicants to satisfy background-check requirements as part of the licensing process. Fingerprinting may be required through an approved vendor or process designated by IDFPR.

The process can include:

Scheduling an appointment with an authorized fingerprint vendor.
Presenting acceptable identification.
Paying the fingerprinting fee.
Authorizing submission of fingerprints for a criminal-history check.
Disclosing required criminal or disciplinary history on the application.

A criminal record does not automatically mean an applicant cannot become licensed. However, omissions or inaccurate answers may create additional problems. Applicants should answer all questions truthfully and provide explanations or supporting documents when required.

Because fingerprint procedures and vendor instructions may change, check the current IDFPR application materials before completing this step.

Step 4: Submit the Illinois Broker License Application

Once education, examination, and background-check requirements are addressed, the applicant can submit the Illinois broker license application according to current IDFPR instructions.

Application materials may require:

Personal identifying information
Proof of education completion
Examination information
Fingerprint or background-check information
Answers to criminal-history and disciplinary questions
Application and licensing fees
Sponsoring-broker information, when applicable

Applications are reviewed by IDFPR. If the Department requests additional information, respond promptly to avoid delays.

Applicants should use the current forms, online portal, and instructions published by IDFPR rather than relying on an older application or third-party checklist.

Step 5: Find a Sponsoring Broker

A newly licensed Illinois broker generally must be sponsored by an Illinois-licensed sponsoring broker before conducting licensed real estate activities.

A sponsoring broker may provide:

Brokerage supervision
Transaction review
Access to forms and systems
Training and mentoring
Guidance on Illinois rules
Office, technology, and marketing support
Opportunities to work with buyers, sellers, landlords, or investors

When interviewing brokerages in or near Virginia, compare:

Commission split and transaction fees
Monthly desk or technology fees
Training and mentorship
Lead-generation programs
Marketing support
Transaction coordination
Office and remote-work policies
Availability of experienced managing brokers
Expectations for prospecting and sales activity
Whether the brokerage serves the property types and communities that interest you

Compensation structures differ significantly between brokerages. Review the independent-contractor agreement or employment documents carefully before affiliating.

How Much Does It Cost to Become a Real Estate Agent in Illinois?

The total cost varies based on the education provider, testing arrangements, fingerprint vendor, application charges, and other personal expenses.

Potential costs include:

75-hour pre-license education
Course materials
Practice examinations or exam preparation
State licensing examination
Fingerprinting and background check
Illinois license application
Initial license or issuance charges
Brokerage onboarding, technology, or association expenses
Transportation, marketing, and business-startup costs

The available IDFPR materials confirm the education and licensing steps but do not establish one universal total cost for every applicant. Fees may change and may be charged by different entities. Confirm the current amounts directly with IDFPR, the examination provider, fingerprint vendor, and education provider before budgeting.

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
Whether the course is self-paced or scheduled
Exam appointment availability
Whether you pass the exam on the first attempt
Fingerprint-processing time
Application review
Whether IDFPR requests additional documentation
How quickly you find a sponsoring broker

A focused student may complete the education relatively quickly, while someone studying part time may take longer. It is more accurate to plan around the individual steps than to rely on a guaranteed number of days or weeks.

Post-License Education

New Illinois brokers must complete 45 hours of post-license education during the first renewal period, subject to the applicable renewal rules.

The 45-hour curriculum 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 under the IDFPR curriculum information.

The post-license requirement is separate from the original 75-hour pre-license course. Completing pre-license education does not eliminate the need for post-license education.

Because the deadline can depend on when the license was first issued and the applicable renewal cycle, new brokers should track the specific deadline shown in IDFPR instructions and complete the courses through an approved provider.

Continuing Education and License Renewal

After the first renewal period, Illinois brokers generally must complete continuing education for each renewal cycle. IDFPR’s current materials describe a 12-hour continuing-education requirement for brokers who have moved beyond the first-renewal post-license period, including core and elective education.

The exact requirements can depend on:

The date the license was first issued
The applicable renewal cycle
Whether the licensee is completing first-renewal post-license education
Changes to Illinois law or IDFPR rules
Any applicable exemptions

Education must be completed through an IDFPR-approved real estate education provider.

Licensees should retain completion records and confirm the current renewal deadline and course requirements before submitting a renewal application.

Potential Earnings for Illinois Real Estate Brokers

Real estate income is not guaranteed and can vary substantially. Many brokers earn commissions rather than a fixed salary, and income may depend on:

Number of completed transactions
Property prices
Commission arrangements
Brokerage splits and fees
Local competition
Lead generation
Experience and specialization
Market conditions
Whether the broker works full time or part time

New agents may experience an uneven income pattern because they often spend time building a client base before closing transactions. Business expenses can include marketing, transportation, insurance, technology, association dues, continuing education, and brokerage charges.

Public wage estimates should be treated cautiously because reported figures may combine different types of real estate professionals and may not reflect net income after expenses. For a reliable compensation picture, compare current occupational data with the commission plan and fees offered by prospective brokerages.

Career Opportunities in and Around Virginia, Illinois

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

Residential buyer representation
Residential listing services
Leasing and rental transactions
Commercial real estate
Property management-related work, where properly authorized
New-construction sales
Relocation services
Land and farm transactions
Real estate investment support
Transaction coordination
Brokerage administration
Future advancement toward managing broker licensure

Local market knowledge can be valuable in Virginia and nearby communities. New brokers can develop that knowledge by studying neighborhood characteristics, property types, zoning and land-use considerations, local taxes, schools, transportation patterns, and the needs of buyers and sellers. Do not make claims about local market performance without current, reliable data.

Real Estate License Checklist for Virginia, Illinois

Confirm that you meet the age and education requirements.
Choose an IDFPR-approved 75-hour broker pre-license course.
Complete all required coursework, including the situational and case-study component.
Obtain proof of course completion.
Register for and pass the Illinois broker licensing examination.
Complete fingerprinting and the required background check.
Submit the Illinois broker application and applicable fees.
Select an Illinois sponsoring broker.
Complete the 45-hour post-license education requirement by the applicable deadline.
Complete continuing education for later renewal periods.
Keep copies of education, application, and renewal records.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Virginia, Illinois, residents take the Illinois course online?

Yes, Illinois permits approved distance-education formats for the required pre-license curriculum, including the required interactive or case-study component when delivered in an approved format. Confirm the provider’s approval and delivery method before enrolling.

How many hours of education are required before the Illinois real estate exam?

Applicants must complete 75 hours of approved broker pre-license education.

Do I need a college degree?

No. The stated minimum education requirement is a high school diploma or GED.

Is fingerprinting required?

Applicants must satisfy Illinois background-check requirements, which may include fingerprinting through an approved process. Confirm the current procedure with IDFPR before scheduling.

Do I need a sponsoring broker?

A new Illinois broker must generally be sponsored by a sponsoring broker to practice under the license.

What education is required after the first license?

The first renewal period generally requires 45 hours of post-license education. The curriculum consists of three 15-hour courses, each with its own final examination.

How much money can a new real estate agent make?

There is no guaranteed income level. Earnings depend on transactions, commissions, brokerage arrangements, expenses, experience, and market conditions. Review a brokerage’s compensation plan carefully and budget for periods without closed transactions.

Can I become a managing broker immediately?

Generally, no. Illinois managing-broker requirements include being at least 20, holding broker experience for two of the preceding three years, completing the required managing-broker education, and passing the applicable examination.

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