Get your Illinois Real Estate license for Just $199 — 100% online at your own pace

An Illinois broker license applicant must be at least 18 years old, be of good moral character, hold a high school diploma or GED, and complete 75 hours of approved pre-license education: a 60-hour real estate topics course (any format) and a 15-hour applied real estate principles course (classroom, live interactive webinar, or online distance education only). The applicant must also pass the broker examination administered by PSI, obtain sponsorship from a managing broker, and submit a license application to IDFPR. Pre-license education is valid for 2 years after completion, a passing exam score is valid for 1 year, and attorneys admitted to the Illinois Supreme Court in active standing are exempt from the education requirement.

Most people complete the Illinois broker licensing process within a few months, though the timeline varies based on course format, exam scheduling, and finding a sponsoring broker. The 75-hour pre-license coursework can be completed in several weeks depending on pace and format. Pre-license education remains valid for 2 years after completion, and you must apply for licensure within 1 year of passing the exam or the exam credit terminates.

The fixed regulatory costs for an Illinois broker license are the IDFPR application fee and the $58 per-attempt examination fee paid to PSI. Fingerprinting and criminal background check costs vary by the vendor licensed by IDFPR. Pre-licensing education (75 hours from an IDFPR-approved provider) is the largest variable expense, with costs depending on the provider, course format, and package features. Total out-of-pocket costs vary widely based on these factors.

Can convicted felons get real estate license in Illinois? It depends on the type of conviction that you have. In most cases, you are still qualified to get a license. However, the Department of Professional Regulation will consider all factors when deciding whether to grant you a license. The IDFPR says that more than 95% of applicants in the real estate profession with a prior conviction who accurately completed their application disclosing the conviction obtained a license. The IDFPR will more closely consider any convictions related to conspiracy to defraud, embezzlement, extortion, forgery, larceny, obtaining money under false pretenses, or a felony involving moral turpitude. It may also consider misdemeanors involving dishonesty or fraud. You should fully and honestly disclose any prior criminal activity when you make your application for your broker license. There is a screening form I will ask about your criminal history and for any supporting documentation to be uploaded.

Can you get real estate license without high school diploma in Illinois? Yes, you do need to have a high school diploma or a general education development diploma before you can earn your Illinois broker license.

The Illinois broker exam consists of 140 scored questions across two portions: 100 national questions with a 70% passing score (150 minutes allowed) and 40 state questions with a 75% passing score (90 minutes allowed). An additional 5 to 10 unscored experimental questions may be administered and count against exam time. Candidates may attempt the exam up to 4 times within a 2-year eligibility period, and after a fourth failure must retake the full 75-hour pre-license education. The IDFPR does not publish a statewide pass rate.

A sponsoring broker is a managing broker who certifies to IDFPR that a broker is employed by or associated with the brokerage through a written agreement, and the department has registered that sponsorship. Illinois law prohibits a broker from engaging in any licensed real estate activities until a valid sponsorship is registered with IDFPR. A broker's license automatically becomes inactive immediately upon termination of sponsorship, and the broker cannot practice until a new sponsorship is registered.

Can you get a real estate license in Illinois if you dont live in the state? You can get an Illinois broker license if you are not a state resident. However, you must have a Social Security number or an individual taxpayer ID number. You must follow all of the steps of a regular licensee in order to earn your Illinois real estate broker license. If at any point you establish a residence in Illinois, make sure you notify the IDFPR of your new address.