How many hours of pre-license education does Illinois require?

Illinois requires 75 hours of pre-license education for a Broker license (Illinois doesn't use the 'agent' title—the entry-level license is called 'Broker'). The 75 hours must be completed through an IDFPR-approved education provider and include coursework in real estate principles, law, and practices. After passing the state exam, you also need 30 hours of post-license education within the first renewal period.

How much does it cost to get an Illinois real estate license?

Total costs typically run $800-$1,500. Pre-license education costs $300-$700 depending on the provider and format (online vs. in-person). The state exam fee is $55. The license application fee is $125. Fingerprinting and background check costs are approximately $60-$80. You'll also need to join a brokerage, which may have additional desk fees or startup costs. E&O insurance, if not provided by your brokerage, adds $200-$400 annually.

Does Illinois have reciprocity with other states?

Illinois has limited reciprocity agreements. The state does not offer blanket reciprocity—you can't simply transfer a license from another state without meeting Illinois-specific requirements. However, Illinois may waive some education requirements for applicants licensed in certain states, depending on whether those states have a reciprocal agreement with Illinois. You'll still need to pass the Illinois-specific portion of the state exam regardless of reciprocity status. Check with IDFPR for current reciprocity agreements.

Illinois Real Estate License Guide | Real Estate License Guides

Illinois uses different terminology than most states right from the start: the entry-level real estate license here is called a “Broker” license, not an “agent” or “salesperson” license. The old Salesperson license was eliminated in 2011. So when you see “Illinois real estate broker license,” that’s the standard license you need to buy and sell real estate—not an advanced credential.

What are the Illinois real estate license requirements?

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) oversees real estate licensing. Requirements are straightforward compared to some states, though the terminology takes getting used to.

Basic eligibility

Must be at least 18 years old (21 for Managing Broker license)
Must be a U.S. citizen or legally authorized to work in the U.S.
Must have a Social Security number
Must not have any disqualifying criminal history
High school diploma or GED (not explicitly required by statute, but education providers require it)

Education requirement: 75 hours

Illinois requires 75 hours of pre-license education from an IDFPR-approved provider. The curriculum covers:

Course	Hours	Content
Real Estate Broker Pre-License Topics	75	Principles, practices, law, contracts, finance, property management

Some providers break this into multiple courses; others deliver it as a single program. The content is the same either way. Both online and in-person options are available from approved providers.

Cost: $300-$700 depending on provider and format. Online courses tend to be cheaper. Provider quality varies—read reviews and check pass rates before enrolling.

Timeline: Most students complete the 75-hour requirement in 4-8 weeks at a part-time pace. Accelerated online programs can be finished in 2-3 weeks with full-time study.

How does the Illinois real estate exam work?

After completing pre-license education, you’ll take the state licensing exam administered by PSI Services.

Exam structure

Section	Questions	Time	Passing Score
National portion	100	150 minutes	75% (75 correct)
State portion	40	75 minutes	75% (30 correct)

You must pass both sections. If you fail one section, you only need to retake that section (not both). Results are provided immediately after testing.

Exam topics

National portion: Real estate principles, property ownership, contracts, financing, agency law, fair housing, and general real estate practices that apply across states.

State portion: Illinois-specific real estate law, IDFPR regulations, license law, Illinois real estate contract requirements, and state-specific practices.

Exam tips specific to Illinois

The Illinois state portion emphasizes license law and the Real Estate License Act of 2000—know this statute well
Illinois dual agency rules are tested heavily; understand the disclosure requirements
Practice with Illinois-specific practice exams, not just generic national prep
PSI offers computer-based testing at locations across Illinois

Exam fee: $55 per attempt. You can retake as many times as needed within your education certificate validity period (typically 4 years).

What’s the complete timeline and cost?

Here’s the realistic timeline for getting your Illinois real estate license from start to finish.

Timeline

Step	Duration	Running Total
Pre-license education (75 hours)	3-8 weeks	3-8 weeks
Schedule and take exam	1-2 weeks	4-10 weeks
Submit license application	Same day as exam	4-10 weeks
Background check processing	1-3 weeks	5-13 weeks
License issued	1-2 weeks after background clears	6-15 weeks

Total typical timeline: 6-15 weeks depending on your study pace and how quickly you move through each step.

Cost breakdown

Item	Cost
Pre-license education (75 hrs)	$300-$700
State exam fee	$55
License application fee	$125
Fingerprinting/background check	$60-$80
E&O insurance (if not covered by brokerage)	$200-$400/year
Total startup	$740-$1,360

Post-license education requirement

Illinois requires 30 hours of post-license education within the first renewal period (your first license period is roughly 2 years, expiring on April 30 of the appropriate year). This is in addition to the standard continuing education. Topics include:

Applied real estate principles (15 hours)
Applied real estate law (15 hours)

Skipping or delaying post-license education means your license won’t renew. Plan for this cost ($100-$300) and time commitment in your first year.

Working as a real estate broker in Illinois

Your license must be held by a sponsoring Managing Broker. You cannot operate independently—every licensed Broker works under the supervision of a Managing Broker at a brokerage firm.

Choosing a brokerage

This is arguably more important than the licensing process itself. Key factors:

Commission split: Typically 50/50 for new agents, improving to 70/30 or better with experience and production. Some brokerages offer 100% commission models with flat monthly fees.
Training and mentorship: Critical for new licensees. Some brokerages provide structured training programs; others expect you to figure it out.
Market presence: Larger brokerages (Keller Williams, RE/MAX, Coldwell Banker) offer brand recognition. Boutique brokerages may offer more personalized support.
Fees: Desk fees, technology fees, marketing fees, and E&O insurance vary significantly between brokerages.

Interview multiple brokerages before choosing. Ask about split structures, training programs, lead generation support, and what happens if you leave.

Illinois market context

Illinois is a large and diverse real estate market. Chicago and its suburbs dominate in volume, but downstate markets (Springfield, Champaign, Peoria) have their own dynamics.

Key Illinois-specific considerations:

Transfer tax: Illinois imposes a real estate transfer tax—understand how this affects transactions
Attorney state: Illinois requires attorney involvement in real estate closings, unlike many states
Property tax complexity: Illinois property taxes are among the highest in the nation; understanding the tax system is essential for serving buyers and sellers

Continuing education and renewal

After your first renewal (which includes the 30-hour post-license requirement), ongoing CE is 12 hours every 2 years. Renewal is every 2 years, with licenses expiring on April 30.

Renewal Requirement	Details
CE hours	12 hours per renewal cycle (after first renewal)
Core curriculum	6 hours of required core topics
Elective	6 hours of elective CE
Renewal fee	$150
Renewal deadline	April 30 (every 2 years)

Key takeaways

Illinois uses “Broker” as the entry-level license title—it’s the equivalent of “agent” or “salesperson” in other states
75 hours of pre-license education plus a two-part state exam administered by PSI
Total startup costs run $740-$1,360 including education, exam, application, and background check
30 hours of post-license education required in your first renewal period
Illinois is an attorney-closing state with unique transfer tax and property tax considerations

For a broader overview of real estate licensing requirements, see our how to get your real estate license guide. Agents considering practicing in multiple states should review real estate reciprocity agreements to understand cross-state options.