Illinois Real Estate Agent License
Complete requirements guide for Illinois
Pre-Licensing Education
Complete 75 hours of IDFPR-approved pre-licensing education, divided into two courses.
Required Courses (75 hours total):
- • Broker Pre-License Topics (60 hours)
- • Broker Pre-License Applied Real Estate Principles (15 hours)
Course completion valid for 2 years from completion date.
State Examination
Exam Name
Illinois Real Estate Broker Examination
Provider
PSI
Format
National portion: 100 questions (150 minutes); Illinois portion: 40 questions (90 minutes), four hours total.
Passing Score
70% national; 75% Illinois portion. The national percentage is equivalent to the previously reported scaled score of 75.
Exam Fee
$58
Retake Policy: Up to 4 attempts within 2-year eligibility window; $58 per attempt; if one section fails, only retake that section; after 4 failures must retake 75-hour course
Background Check
Type: Criminal-history disclosure and application review
A routine fingerprint requirement and its cost are unverified in the official broker sources reviewed. Follow current IDFPR application instructions; disclose convictions and provide requested supporting documents.
Sponsoring Broker
Must work under a licensed Illinois managing broker
Fee Breakdown
| Examination Fee | $58 |
| Application Fee | $150 |
| Listed Fees | $208 |
Listed fees cover the $150 application and $58 exam only. Any additional screening charge is unverified. Education, post-license courses, and other provider costs are not included.
License Renewal
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Renewal Fee
$200
CE Required
12 hours
Online Renewal
Yes
Regular renewal requires 12 CE hours: six core and six elective, including sexual-harassment prevention. New brokers follow the first-renewal post-license requirements instead; check the current IDFPR fact sheet for the applicable cohort.
Post-License Requirement: 45 hours required by the first renewal deadline. The 2026 fact sheet sets April 30, 2026 for licenses first issued November 1, 2023 through October 31, 2025, and April 30, 2028 for licenses first issued on or after November 1, 2025.
License Reciprocity
Reciprocity ended January 1, 2026. Eligible out-of-state licensees apply by endorsement, including approved endorsement education, the Illinois-law examination, and sponsorship for active status.
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
- Official Website
- (888) 473-4858
- Apply Online
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Managing broker applicants must be at least 20, hold an active Illinois broker license, have an active real estate license for two of the preceding three years, complete 45 approved managing-broker hours, and pass the examination.
- • 2 years experience required
- • 45 additional education hours
- • Broker exam required
Last verified: 2026-01-12