How to become a real estate agent in Illinois
Illinois real estate agents are licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Real Estate. Here is what it takes to work as a licensed real estate agent in Illinois, from official sources checked November 4, 2026.
Who can become a real estate agent in Illinois?
- At least 18 years old
- High school diploma or equivalent
- 75 hours of approved pre-license education (attorneys admitted to practice in Illinois are exempt)
- Sponsorship by a sponsoring broker to hold an active license
Illinois real estate agent license requirements
| Licensed by | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Real Estate |
|---|---|
| License name | Real Estate Broker |
| Education or training | 75 hours from an IDFPR-approved education provider: a 60-hour real estate topics course plus a 15-hour Applied Real Estate Principles course (classroom, interactive webinar or online distance education). Pre-license education is valid for 2 years after completion. |
| Exam | The broker exam is given by IDFPR's designated testing service, PSI; after four consecutive failures you must retake the 75-hour pre-license education before testing again. |
| Works under a broker | Yes. An active broker license requires proof of sponsorship by a sponsoring broker. You can be licensed as inactive without one, but you cannot practice on an inactive license. |
| License term | Broker licenses expire April 30 of each even-numbered year. A first license issued on or after November 1, 2025 expires April 30, 2028, and the first renewal fee is waived for a license issued during the first renewal period. |
| Continuing education | New brokers complete 45 hours of post-license education (three 15-hour courses, each with a 50-question exam) before their first renewal instead of CE, and after that 12 hours of CE per 2-year term (6-hour Core including fair housing, plus 6 elective hours including sexual harassment prevention training). |
| Reciprocity | Illinois stopped taking reciprocity applications on January 1, 2026. Out-of-state brokers now apply by endorsement, which requires a 30-hour pre-license endorsement course, an Illinois-specific exam and proof of sponsorship for an active license. |
How much does it cost?
| Initial broker license application | $150 |
|---|---|
| Broker license renewal | $200 |
| Late fee (expired no more than 2 years) | $75 |
Fees as listed by the state. Schools, courses, exam prep, insurance and equipment cost extra and vary by provider.
Steps to become a real estate agent in Illinois
- Complete the 75-hour pre-license education with an IDFPR-approved provider
- Register for and pass the broker exam through PSI
- Find a sponsoring broker
- Apply to IDFPR online within one year of passing the exam, with the $150 fee and proof of sponsorship
- Complete the 45-hour post-license education before your first renewal deadline
Apply on the official Illinois site
How do you check a real estate agent's license in Illinois?
- Search the name or license number on the official Illinois real estate agent license lookup.
- Check that the status is active and the name matches the person or company you're hiring.
- Ask how long they've been licensed and whether any complaints or discipline are on record.