How Do I Get My Illinois Real Estate License?

Illinois is home to a dynamic real estate market, offering promising career opportunities in cities like Chicago, Aurora, Naperville, and beyond. Whether you’re drawn to the fast-paced urban market or the charm of smaller towns, becoming a licensed real estate agent in Illinois can be a rewarding path to a flexible and financially fulfilling career. 

While many people use the term “real estate agent” or “salesperson,” it’s important to know that Illinois refers to its entry-level license as a broker license. This is the first license you’ll earn before gaining additional experience and education to become a managing broker. The licensing process is regulated by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), and all new agents must work under the supervision of a managing broker once licensed. 

To become a licensed real estate professional in Illinois, you’ll need to:

• Meet Illinois’s eligibility requirements
• Complete 75 hours of IDFPR-approved prelicensing education
• Pass the course final exam
• Pass the Illinois Real Estate Broker Exam
• Complete a background check and fingerprinting
• Choose a managing broker to sponsor your license
• Apply for your real estate license through the IDFPR

Table of Contents

• Steps to Get Your Illinois Real Estate License
• Continuing Education and License Renewal in Illinois
• Illinois Real Estate License Reciprocity

Steps to Get Your Illinois Real Estate License

To become a licensed real estate agent in Illinois, you’ll need to follow a structured process approved by the IDFPR. From meeting the basic requirements to completing education and passing the exam, each step is designed to prepare you for a successful career in Illinois real estate.

Step 1: Meet the Basic Requirements

To qualify for a real estate license in Illinois, you must meet the following criteria:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Be a U.S. citizen or legally authorized to work in the United States
• Have a valid Social Security number

Step 2: Complete 75 Hours of Prelicensing Education

Illinois requires all prospective real estate agents to complete 75 hours of IDFPR-approved prelicensing education. This education must include:

• 60 hours of coursework covering core real estate principles, laws, contracts, and ethics
• 15 hours of Applied Real Estate Principles, which must be completed live (either in-person or via a live webinar)
  

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Step 3: Pass the Course Final Exam

After completing the 75-hour course, you must pass a final exam for your prelicensing program. This test is administered by your education provider and is separate from the state licensing exam. Most school requires a passing score of at least 75%. Passing this course exam is necessary to move forward to the official Illinois Real Estate Broker Exam. 

Step 4: Create a Student Account with PSI

Before you can schedule your state licensing exam, you must register as a student with PSI, the official testing vendor for Illinois. You should complete this registration before finishing your course, as your education provider will electronically send your course completion to PSI. To register, visit the PSI website. Once your account is created and your course completion is verified, you’ll be eligible to schedule your licensing exam. 

Step 5: Pass the Illinois Real Estate Broker Exam

The next step is to take and pass the Illinois Real Estate Broker Exam. This exam includes: 

• 100 national questions
• 40 Illinois-specific questions

You’ll have 3.5 hours to complete the exam and must score at least a 75% to pass. PSI offers the exam at testing centers throughout Illinois and online through remote proctoring. 

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Step 6: Complete a Background Check and Fingerprinting

Before applying for your license, you must undergo a criminal background check and submit your fingerprints to an IDFPR-approved Live Scan vendor. This step ensures you meet Illinois’s character requirements. 

Be sure to keep a copy of your fingerprint receipt, as you’ll need to include it in your license application. 

Step 7: Find a Sponsoring Managing Broker

Illinois requires all newly licensed agents to work under the supervision of a managing broker. This sponsor must hold an active Illinois managing broker license and will supervise your work as a new licensee.

You cannot activate your license without listing a managing broker on your application, so it’s important to connect with a brokerage early in the process.

Step 8: Apply for Your Illinois Real Estate License

Once you’ve passed your state exam and completed your background check, you can submit your application through IDFPR’s Online Services Portal. You’ll need to provide:

• Proof of education completion
• Your PSI exam results
• Fingerprint receipt
• Sponsoring broker information
• Application fee

After approval, you’ll receive your active broker license, allowing you to legally practice real estate in Illinois under your managing broker’s supervision.

Continuing Education and License Renewal in Illinois

For Illinois real estate agents, license renewal and continuing education (CE) follow a distinct first-renewal vs. subsequent renewal structure.

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First-Time License Renewal

If you are renewing your Illinois real estate license for the first time, you are required to complete 45 hours of post-license education instead of the standard CE. This post-license coursework must be completed through a state-approved education provider before your license expiration date.

The 45-hour post-license requirement includes:

• Applied Real Estate Brokerage Practice (15 hours): Learn how to apply brokerage concepts in real-world situations, including listing, marketing, negotiating, and working with clients.
• Transactional Issues (15 hours): Covers essential knowledge for handling residential transactions, contracts, disclosures, and agency relationships.
• Risk Management (15 hours): Focuses on avoiding common legal and ethical pitfalls in real estate. This course also includes the required 1 hour of sexual harassment prevention training mandated by the state.

These hours must be completed by April 30th of the next even-numbered year following your initial licensure.

Subsequent License Renewals

After your first renewal, all future renewals follow the standard CE requirement. Illinois brokers must complete 12 hours of CE every two years prior to the renewal deadline. This includes:

• Core CE (4 hours): A mandatory course covering legal updates, license law, state regulations, and agency responsibilities.
• Elective CE (8 hours): Choose from a variety of topics such as marketing, technology, fair housing, ethics, and working with investors.
• Sexual Harassment Prevention Training (1 hour): This required training can be included with your Core or elective hours and helps foster a safe, respectful professional environment.

All CE must be completed by April 30th of every even-numbered year.

License Renewal Process

To renew your Illinois real estate license:

• Complete the required CE or post-license education by the renewal deadline
• Renew your license online through the IDFPR portal
• Pay the required renewal fee
• Attest to your compliance with education requirements during the renewal process
• Keep course completion certificates for at least 4 years in case of an audit by the IDFPR

Failing to meet CE requirements on time can result in license expiration, late fees, and potential reactivation steps.

Illinois Real Estate License Reciprocity

If you’re already licensed as a real estate agent (salesperson or broker) in another state and are considering a move to Illinois, you may be eligible for real estate license reciprocity. Illinois has reciprocity agreements in place with a limited number of states, making it easier for some out-of-state agents to obtain an Illinois real estate license without retaking the full licensing education or exam.

States with Reciprocity Agreements

As of now, Illinois offers real estate license reciprocity with the following states:

• Florida
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Nebraska
• Wisconsin

If you hold an active real estate license in one of these states, you may be eligible to apply for an Illinois broker license by reciprocity. You will need to:

• Submit a completed application to the IDFPR
• Provide a certificate of licensure (license history) from your home state
• Pay the applicable licensing fee
• In some cases, take the Illinois state-specific portion of the licensing exam

No Reciprocity? Consider a Waiver of Full Application

If your home state is not listed above, you are not eligible for full reciprocity. However, Illinois may still allow you to waive certain requirements based on your experience, license status, or education. In most cases, out-of-state applicants will need to:

• Complete 75-hour prelicensing education
• Pass both the national and Illinois portions of the exam
• Submit a full application through the IDFPR

Before applying, it’s recommended to check the latest requirements directly with the IDFPR to determine the best path forward.