Midwest · Real Estate License
Illinois
Broker License Requirements
Governing Authority
IDFPR
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Real Estate
Official website →75
Pre-Licensing Hours
classroom or online
$270
Est. Total Cost
fees only (excl. education)
4–24 weeks
Timeline
start to license
2 years
Renewal Cycle
12 CE hours required
Step-by-Step Licensing Process
Complete 75 Hours of Pre-Licensing Education
Complete 60-hour Broker Pre-License Topics (online OK) and 15-hour Applied Real Estate Principles (must be interactive/live) from an IDFPR-approved school.
Estimated time: 2–6 weeks
Pass Education Provider's Final Exam
Your school administers a final exam upon course completion.
Estimated time: Same day
Schedule and Pass State Exam
Register with PSI Services. Pay $58 exam fee. Score 75% on both national (100 questions) and state (40 questions) portions.
Estimated time: 1–3 weeks
Get Fingerprinted
Visit an IDFPR-approved LiveScan vendor for a criminal background check. Cost: ~$50–$75.
Estimated time: 1 week
Find a Sponsoring Managing Broker
A licensed managing broker must agree to sponsor your license.
Estimated time: 1–4 weeks
Submit Application via IDFPR eLicense Portal
Apply online at online-dfpr.micropact.com. Pay $150 application fee.
Estimated time: 1–4 business days processing
Complete Post-License Education
45 hours of post-license education required before your first renewal deadline.
Estimated time: Before first renewal (within 2 years)
Pre-Licensing Education
Hours Required
VerifiedAll sources unanimous. Two courses: 60-hour Broker Pre-License Topics (online OK) + 15-hour Applied Real Estate Principles (must be interactive/live).
Required Topics / Courses
- Broker Pre-License Topics (60 hrs — self-study/online permitted)
- Applied Real Estate Principles (15 hrs — must be interactive: in-person or live webinar)
Provider type: IDFPR-approved education providers
View approved education providers →Find Approved Pre-Licensing Schools
Online education providers offering Illinois-approved pre-licensing courses. Compare options to find the best fit for your schedule and learning style.
Aceable Agent
Mobile-friendly online courses with flexible self-paced learning and a pass guarantee.
Colibri Real Estate
One of the largest national providers with instructor-led and self-paced options in 40 states.
Kaplan Real Estate Education
Established education brand offering pre-licensing courses with live online and on-demand options.
The CE Shop
Nationally recognized online school offering courses in 47 states plus DC with interactive content.
LicenseMap may earn a commission when you enroll through links on this page. This does not affect our editorial independence — providers are listed alphabetically with no rankings or preferential placement.
Licensing Exam
Exam Provider
PSI Services
Format
Computer-based, multiple-choice. Available in-person at PSI test centers or via online remote proctoring.
| Section | Questions | Time | Passing Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| National | 100 | 150 min | 75% |
| State (Illinois) | 40 | 60 min | 75% |
| Total | 140 | 210 min | — |
Retake policy: 3 retakes allowed. After 4th failure, must retake pre-licensing coursework. $58 per attempt.
5–10 additional unscored pretest questions may appear. Must pass within 2 years of completing pre-licensing coursework. Note: some sources report 70% passing score for national portion — 75% for both is more widely cited, but verify with PSI directly.
Schedule your exam →Exam Prep Resources
Practice tests and study tools to help you pass the Illinois real estate licensing exam on your first attempt.
PrepAgent
State-specific practice exams, audio lessons, and flashcards covering both national and state portions.
LicenseMap may earn a commission when you enroll through links on this page. This does not affect our editorial independence — providers are listed alphabetically with no rankings or preferential placement.
Fee Breakdown
| Fee | Amount | Paid To | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application Fee Note: Fee was increased from $125 to $150 effective January 1, 2024 per IDFPR. (Alt: $125 per PrepAgent, Real Estate Bees (pre-2024 sources)) | $150.00 | IDFPR | |
| Exam Fee | $58.00 | PSI Services | |
| Fingerprinting / Background Check | $62.00 | IDFPR-approved LiveScan vendor + Illinois State Police | |
| Estimated Total | $270.00 | Excludes education costs |
Requirements
Minimum Age
18 years old
Education
High school diploma or GED
Residency
Not required
Non-residents must submit a Non-Resident Consent Form.
Background Check
Required
Fingerprint-based criminal background check via IDFPR-approved LiveScan vendor.
Sponsoring Broker
Required
License must be affiliated with a sponsoring managing broker to practice.
Social Security Number
Required
Reciprocity
Illinois does not have reciprocity
Type: Endorsement (not reciprocity)
Former reciprocity states (CO, CT, FL, GA, IN, IA, NE, WI) — agreements ended Dec 31, 2025. New endorsement process available to licensees from ANY U.S. state: requires 30-hour Illinois Endorsement Course + pass the 40-question state exam ($58). Application fee: $150. Timeline: 4–6 weeks.
Renewal & Continuing Education
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education Hours
12 hours per renewal cycle
Renewal Fee
$200.00
First Renewal Notes
First renewal requires 45 hours of post-license education (not the standard 12 hours CE): 15-hr Applied Brokerage Principles, 15-hr Risk Management and Discipline, 15-hr Transactional Issues.
Deadlines
April 30 of the renewal year (next: April 30, 2026).
2026 cycle expanded Core CE from 4 to 6 hours (now includes Fair Housing), while electives adjusted from 8 to 6 hours. Total remains 12 hours.
Find Continuing Education Courses
Illinois requires 12 hours of continuing education every 2 years. These providers offer approved CE courses online.
Aceable Agent
Mobile-friendly CE courses with self-paced learning.
Colibri Real Estate
Comprehensive CE packages available in all 50 states plus DC, with live and on-demand options.
Kaplan Real Estate Education
Established provider with CE packages including live online and on-demand formats.
The CE Shop
Industry-leading CE courses available nationwide with interactive content.
LicenseMap may earn a commission when you enroll through links on this page. This does not affect our editorial independence — providers are listed alphabetically with no rankings or preferential placement.
Recent Changes
Illinois eliminated all reciprocity agreements (formerly with CO, CT, FL, GA, IN, IA, NE, WI). Replaced by universal Endorsement Process open to licensees from any state.
Effective: 2026-01-01 · Affects: reciprocity
IDFPR increased fees: Broker application from $125 to $150, renewal from $150 to $200.
Effective: 2024-01-01 · Affects: fees
Illinois eliminated the 'Salesperson' license category. Entry-level license renamed to 'Broker'.
Effective: 2011-05-01 · Affects: license_title
Sources
https://idfpr.illinois.gov/profs/realest.html
Accessed: Feb 23, 2026
No publication date visible
https://www.psiexams.com/test-takers/ilrep/
Accessed: Feb 23, 2026
No publication date visible
https://chicagoagentmagazine.com/2024/01/24/idfpr-fee-increases/
Updated: Jan 24, 2024
Accessed: Feb 23, 2026
Publication date shown on page
https://idfpr.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/idfpr/forms/dre/2026cefactsheet-realestatebroker.pdf
Updated: Jan 1, 2026
Accessed: Feb 23, 2026
2026 renewal cycle fact sheet
https://www.colibrirealestate.com/real-estate/illinois/how-to-become-real-estate-agent/
Accessed: Feb 23, 2026
No publication date visible
https://www.aceableagent.com/career-center/illinois/what-states-have-reciprocity-illinois/
Accessed: Feb 23, 2026
No publication date visible