The path to a real estate career in Illinois requires understanding the specific educational and administrative requirements for licensure. Entry into the profession is governed by a precise set of rules designed to ensure competence and protect consumers. Navigating this process involves a sequence of structured steps, beginning with understanding the different license types and concluding with mandatory post-licensure training.
Understanding the Illinois Real Estate Licensing Structure
The state of Illinois, under the Real Estate License Act of 2000, establishes the “Broker” license as the required entry-level credential for any individual who performs real estate activities for compensation. Illinois uses “Broker” to identify professionals who work under supervision to represent clients in transactions, unlike many states that use “salesperson” or “agent.” All licensed activity, such as selling, buying, leasing, or exchanging real estate, must be performed by a licensee.
A higher-level license is the “Managing Broker” license, required for individuals who supervise other brokers and manage a brokerage office’s operations. The Managing Broker is the only licensee authorized to receive compensation directly from the public or other brokers. A third category, the “Residential Leasing Agent,” is a limited license that only permits activities related to leasing residential property, not sales.
Meeting Basic Eligibility Requirements
Before beginning the education component, applicants must satisfy foundational criteria established by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). An individual must be at least 18 years old to apply for a Broker license. Applicants must also provide proof of having a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent, such as a GED.
A requirement for good moral character means that applicants must disclose any criminal history on their application, including all felony and misdemeanor convictions. The IDFPR reviews these disclosures on a case-by-case basis to determine fitness for licensure. Applicants must also confirm they are current on any state obligations, such as child support payments or state income taxes.
Completing Pre-License Education
The state mandates that prospective brokers complete a total of 75 hours of instruction from an IDFPR-approved education provider. This pre-license curriculum is divided into two distinct components. The largest portion is the 60-hour Broker Pre-License Topics course, which covers the fundamentals of real estate law, agency, contracts, and property valuation.
The remaining 15 hours must be dedicated to the Broker Pre-License Applied Real Estate Principles course. This shorter course is mandatory and must be completed in an interactive format, such as a live classroom setting or a live, interactive webinar. This course focuses on situational simulations, case studies, and practical applications of the foundational knowledge learned previously.
Passing the Illinois Real Estate Broker Exam
After successfully completing the 75 hours of required pre-license education, the next step is to pass the state licensing examination, administered by the contracted testing provider, PSI. The computer-based exam is structured with two separate sections. One section focuses on national real estate principles and general knowledge, while the other is specific to Illinois real estate law and regulations.
The national portion consists of 100 multiple-choice questions, requiring a passing score of 70% correct. The state-specific portion contains 40 multiple-choice questions, requiring a passing score of 75% correct. Candidates have 3.5 hours to complete both sections. If a candidate passes only one section, they must retake the failed section within a two-year window from the date of education completion.
Securing Sponsorship and Applying for Licensure
Once the licensing exam is passed, the individual must secure sponsorship with an actively licensed Illinois Managing Broker to finalize the licensure process. A new Broker cannot legally practice real estate until this sponsorship is established and the license is issued as active. The sponsoring Managing Broker acts as the supervisor for the new licensee, ensuring compliance with the Real Estate License Act of 2000.
The final administrative step involves submitting an application to the IDFPR, along with proof of passing the exam and completing the required education. The application requires payment of the associated license fee, currently $150 for a new Broker applicant. The license is issued as “active” only when the IDFPR receives the sponsorship certification from a Managing Broker, allowing the new licensee to begin engaging in real estate transactions.
Navigating Post-License Requirements
Illinois law includes a distinct and mandatory post-license education requirement that must be satisfied shortly after the initial license is issued. New Brokers must complete 45 hours of post-license education before their first license renewal deadline. This requirement is separate from ongoing continuing education and is designed to bridge the gap between classroom knowledge and practical brokerage application.
The 45 hours are broken down into three specific 15-hour courses: Applied Brokerage Principles, Risk Management/Discipline, and Transactional Issues. Failure to complete this required post-license education before the first renewal date will result in the license becoming inactive. This education must be completed within the first licensing term, typically two years.
Maintaining Your Illinois Broker License
After the first renewal, the Broker license operates on a standard biennial (two-year) renewal cycle, with a consistent deadline of April 30 in even-numbered years. To keep the license active during subsequent cycles, the licensee must complete a total of 12 hours of Continuing Education (CE) through an IDFPR-approved provider.
The 12 hours of CE must include a 6-hour core course and 6 hours of elective courses. The elective hours must incorporate a mandatory one-hour course dedicated to Sexual Harassment Prevention Training. Failure to complete the required CE hours or submit the renewal application and fee by the deadline results in a lapsed license, requiring specific reinstatement procedures.