Becoming a real estate agent in Westmont, Illinois, starts with completing the state’s required education, passing the Illinois licensing examination, and securing sponsorship from a sponsoring broker. An approved 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 property investors in Westmont and nearby communities.

Illinois Real Estate License Requirements

Illinois generally licenses entry-level real estate professionals as brokers. To qualify for an Illinois real estate broker license, an applicant must meet these basic requirements:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Have a high school diploma or GED.
• Complete 75 hours of approved pre-license education.
• Pass both the national and Illinois portions of the licensing examination.
• Complete the application process through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, or IDFPR.
• Satisfy the state’s background-check and fingerprinting requirements.
• Be sponsored by an Illinois sponsoring broker before conducting licensed brokerage activities.

The state’s professional requirements document identifies 75 hours of pre-license education, a passing score on the state and national examination, and sponsorship by a sponsoring broker as requirements for an Illinois broker license.

A broker license is different from a managing broker license. Managing brokers generally must be at least 20 years old, have qualifying prior broker experience, complete additional education, and pass another examination. Most people entering the profession in Westmont begin by pursuing the broker license.

Complete the Required 75 Hours of Education

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

A state-approved curriculum may cover subjects such as:

• Real estate license law and regulations
• Agency relationships
• Contracts and disclosures
• Property ownership and transfer
• Finance and mortgages
• Real estate taxation
• Fair housing and civil rights
• Leasing and property management concepts
• Professional responsibility
• Illinois-specific real estate practices

Education must be completed through a provider and course approved by IDFPR. Prospective students should confirm that both the school and the specific course satisfy current Illinois requirements before paying tuition.

Online Illinois Pre-License Courses

Online education may be a practical option for Westmont residents who need to balance licensing preparation with work, school, family, or other responsibilities. Online programs can offer:

• Self-paced lessons
• Digital course materials
• Practice questions
• Progress tracking
• Mobile access
• Flexible study schedules

Online does not automatically mean approved. Before enrolling, verify that the provider appears on the current IDFPR-approved education-provider list and that the program includes the full 75-hour broker curriculum. A reputable online Illinois real estate course should also explain attendance, testing, completion certificates, and any final course-examination requirements.

Apply for the Illinois Real Estate Examination

After completing the required education, the applicant must follow the examination-registration process specified by the state and its examination vendor. The licensing examination includes both:

• A national portion covering general real estate principles and practices
• An Illinois portion covering state law and Illinois-specific requirements

Applicants should review the current candidate handbook and examination instructions before scheduling. Those materials explain registration, identification requirements, examination procedures, passing standards, retakes, and score reporting.

How to Prepare for the Exam

The pre-license course is the foundation of exam preparation, but additional review is often helpful. Candidates can improve their preparation by:

• Reviewing key Illinois license-law concepts
• Practicing real estate mathematics
• Studying agency and contract terminology
• Taking timed practice tests
• Repeating questions missed during practice
• Learning the difference between national and Illinois-specific material
• Scheduling the examination only after consistently performing well on practice assessments

If an applicant does not pass, the retake process and any waiting period or additional fee depend on the current examination rules. Check the official instructions rather than relying on outdated course material.

Complete Fingerprinting and the Background Check

Illinois requires applicants to satisfy criminal-history and background-check requirements. Fingerprinting is typically completed through an approved process or vendor identified in the state’s application instructions.

Applicants should:

• Use the fingerprinting method currently accepted by IDFPR.
• Bring the identification documents requested by the fingerprinting provider.
• Keep proof of fingerprint submission.
• Disclose required criminal-history information accurately.
• Avoid assuming that a prior arrest or conviction automatically disqualifies an applicant.

A criminal record can require additional review, but the effect depends on the circumstances and applicable Illinois law. Anyone with concerns about a prior conviction should review IDFPR guidance or obtain qualified legal advice before submitting an application.

Submit the License Application

Once education, examination, and background-check steps are complete, the applicant submits the broker-license application through the current IDFPR process. The application may require documentation such as:

• Proof of completed education
• Examination results
• Personal identifying information
• Background-check or fingerprinting information
• Required disclosures
• Sponsoring-broker information
• The applicable state application fee

IDFPR provides online services and payment options for eligible real estate applications. Application fees and processing procedures can change, so applicants should use the current IDFPR instructions and fee schedule when applying.

Find an Illinois Sponsoring Broker

A new Illinois broker generally cannot practice independently. The license must be sponsored by an Illinois sponsoring broker, usually through a brokerage company.

The sponsoring broker typically provides:

• Supervision
• Brokerage policies and procedures
• Access to transaction systems and forms
• Guidance on contracts and disclosures
• Training and mentoring
• Assistance with compliance
• A framework for receiving commissions

Choosing a sponsoring broker is a business decision, not merely an administrative step. Westmont applicants may compare brokerages based on their service area, training, technology, commission structure, desk or transaction fees, lead sources, marketing support, and expectations for new agents.

Before signing an independent-contractor or affiliation agreement, ask specifically about:

• Commission splits
• Monthly or annual fees
• Transaction fees
• Mentoring terms
• Lead-generation programs
• Required office, technology, or association costs
• Marketing expenses
• How and when commissions are paid
• Termination and transfer procedures

These business terms are not uniform across Illinois brokerages.

Understand the Cost of Getting Licensed

The total cost varies because applicants choose different education providers, study materials, fingerprinting services, examination attempts, and brokerage arrangements. Typical cost categories include:

• Pre-license education tuition
• Course textbooks or digital materials
• Examination registration
• Examination retakes, if necessary
• Fingerprinting and background-check services
• The state license-application fee
• Professional association or multiple-listing-service expenses, if applicable
• Business cards, signs, advertising, transportation, and technology
• Brokerage or transaction fees

IDFPR’s current fee schedule and application instructions should be treated as the authority for state charges. Course tuition and brokerage expenses are set by private businesses and can differ substantially.

How Long Does It Take?

There is no single required timeline for becoming an Illinois broker. A highly motivated student may complete the 75-hour course relatively quickly, while a part-time student may take longer. The overall timeline also depends on:

• Course format and schedule
• Completion of course requirements
• Examination availability
• Whether the applicant passes on the first attempt
• Fingerprinting and background-check processing
• Application processing
• Finding a sponsoring broker

A realistic plan should allow time for studying, scheduling, possible retesting, and brokerage selection. Avoid treating an advertised “fast license” timeline as a guarantee.

Complete Post-License Education

New Illinois brokers must complete 45 hours of post-license education during the first renewal period. IDFPR identifies 45 hours of post-license education as the requirement for new brokers in the applicable first renewal cycle.

The post-license curriculum is intended to help new brokers transition from classroom learning to actual practice. It may address transaction management, risk reduction, agency duties, professional conduct, and other practical topics.

Post-license education must be completed through an IDFPR-approved provider. The applicable deadline depends on the license’s issuance and renewal cycle, so new licensees should confirm the date shown in current IDFPR guidance and on their license records.

Complete Ongoing Continuing Education

After the initial post-license period, Illinois brokers must complete continuing education for subsequent renewals. The precise number and composition of hours can vary by renewal cycle and license status.

For example, IDFPR’s 2026 broker renewal fact sheet distinguishes between licensees subject to 45-hour post-license education and those subject to the standard continuing-education structure, including core and elective coursework. Licensees must also certify compliance when renewing and retain evidence of completed education.

Because Illinois education requirements can change, brokers should check the current renewal fact sheet before choosing courses. Continuing education must generally be completed through an IDFPR-approved real estate education provider.

Potential Earnings in Westmont and Illinois

Real estate income is not guaranteed. Many agents are paid primarily through commissions, which means earnings can vary based on transaction volume, property prices, commission agreements, brokerage splits, expenses, and market conditions.

Illinois statewide occupational wage data lists annual wage figures for real estate sales agents and real estate brokers, but those figures should not be treated as a promise of what a new Westmont agent will earn. New agents may have limited income during the early months while building a client base, learning transaction procedures, and developing referral relationships.

An agent’s potential income can be affected by:

• Number of closed transactions
• Average transaction value
• Commission arrangements
• Brokerage split and transaction fees
• Repeat and referral business
• Marketing and lead-generation costs
• Specialization in residential sales, rentals, relocation, investment property, or commercial real estate
• Ability to maintain a consistent pipeline

Before entering the field, create a personal financial plan that accounts for licensing costs, transportation, marketing, insurance, technology, taxes, and periods without a closing.

Career Opportunities for Westmont Real Estate Professionals

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

• Residential buyer representation
• Residential listing services
• Rental and leasing assistance
• Relocation services
• New-construction sales
• Investment-property transactions
• Property-management-related work, subject to applicable requirements
• Commercial real estate
• Luxury or high-value property services
• Real estate team leadership
• Future advancement to managing broker

Westmont-based agents may work with local residents, move-up buyers, first-time purchasers, landlords, renters, investors, and clients relocating within the Chicago metropolitan area. Local success depends on market knowledge, responsiveness, legal compliance, negotiation skills, and the ability to build trust—not simply on holding a license.

Practical Steps for Getting Started in Westmont

A practical sequence is:

1. Confirm that you meet Illinois age and education requirements.
2. Choose an IDFPR-approved 75-hour broker pre-license course.
3. Complete the required coursework and any course examination.
4. Study for and pass the national and Illinois licensing examination.
5. Complete fingerprinting and the required background-check process.
6. Submit the Illinois broker-license application and applicable fee.
7. Interview sponsoring brokers serving Westmont and surrounding communities.
8. Activate or affiliate the license through an eligible sponsoring broker.
9. Complete the required 45-hour post-license education during the first renewal period.
10. Complete continuing education for later renewals.

The official Illinois licensing information should be checked at each stage because requirements, forms, deadlines, and fees may be updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a college degree to become an Illinois real estate agent?

No. Illinois generally requires a high school diploma or GED for a broker applicant, not a college degree.

How many hours of education are required?

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

Can I complete the course online?

Online study may be available, but the course and provider must meet current IDFPR approval requirements. Verify approval before enrolling.

Do I need a sponsoring broker?

Yes. An Illinois broker must be sponsored by a sponsoring broker to conduct licensed brokerage activities.

Is fingerprinting required?

Applicants must satisfy Illinois background-check requirements, which generally involve an approved fingerprinting process. Follow the current IDFPR application instructions.

How much does an Illinois real estate license cost?

The total cost depends on education, examination, fingerprinting, application, retesting, and business expenses. State fees should be verified in the current IDFPR fee schedule because they may change.

How long does licensing take?

The timeline varies according to course pace, exam availability, test results, fingerprint processing, application processing, and the time needed to select a sponsoring broker.

What must I do after receiving my license?

New brokers must complete 45 hours of post-license education during the applicable first renewal period and must complete continuing education for later renewals.

Can a new agent earn a full-time income immediately?

There is no guarantee. Commission-based income can be uneven, particularly while a new agent develops clients, referrals, and transaction experience.

Authoritative Sources

• Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation: Real Estate Brokerage
• IDFPR Professional Requirements for Licensure
• IDFPR 2026 Real Estate Broker Continuing Education Fact Sheet
• Illinois Department of Employment Security: 2025 Statewide Wage Publication
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Sales Occupations