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How to get a real estate license in Illinois. 75 pre-licensing hours required. Government fees: $270. 2-year renewal cycle. Verified 2026-03-22. Data verified 2026-03-22. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Real Estate Agent
Governing Authority
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
Official website →Some information on this page has not been fully verified.
20% of data points are verified against official sources. 8 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Pre-License Hours
$270
Total Gov Fees
140
Exam Questions
3.5 hrs
Exam Time
Renewal Cycle
Reciprocity
⚠ Recent Changes in Illinois
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
Your school administers a final exam upon course completion.
Estimated time: Same day
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
Visit an IDFPR-approved LiveScan vendor for a criminal background check. Cost: ~$50–$75.
Estimated time: 1 week
A licensed managing broker must agree to sponsor your license.
Estimated time: 1–4 weeks
Apply online at online-dfpr.micropact.com. Pay $150 application fee.
Estimated time: 1–4 business days processing
45 hours of post-license education required before your first renewal deadline.
Estimated time: Before first renewal (within 2 years)
| 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 |
Education Requirements
Mostly verifiedTotal Hours Required
Provider Type
IDFPR-approved education providers
Required Courses
Attorneys admitted by the Illinois Supreme Court are exempt from pre-licensing education.
Exam Details
Mostly verifiedExam Provider
Total Questions
140
Total Time
210 min
Format
Computer-based, multiple-choice. Available in-person at PSI test centers or via online remote proctoring.
Exam Sections
| Section | Questions | Time | Passing |
|---|---|---|---|
| National | 100 | 150 min | 75% |
| State (Illinois) | 40 | 60 min | 75% |
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.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Paid to: IDFPR ⚠ Conflict: PrepAgent, Real Estate Bees (pre-2024 sources) reports $125. Fee was increased from $125 to $150 effective January 1, 2024 per IDFPR. | |
Exam Fee Paid to: PSI Services | |
Fingerprinting / Background Check Paid to: IDFPR-approved LiveScan vendor + Illinois State Police | |
Total Estimated Government Fees | $270 |
Ready to get started in Illinois?
Pre-license courses start at a fraction of the total licensing cost. Study online, at your own pace.
Compare top-rated schools: See our picks for the best real estate schools in Illinois with pricing, reviews, and pass rates.
Renewal Details
Mostly verifiedRenewal Cycle
CE Hours
Renewal Fee
Deadline & Late Policy
April 30 of the renewal year (next: April 30, 2026).
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.
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.
Regulatory Board
Interstate Reciprocity
VerifiedHas Reciprocity
No
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.
4–24 weeks from start to active license.
Minimum assumes aggressive full-time study. Application processing is notably fast at 1–4 business days.
2026-01-01
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.
2024-01-01
IDFPR increased fees: Broker application from $125 to $150, renewal from $150 to $200.
2011-05-01
Illinois eliminated the 'Salesperson' license category. Entry-level license renamed to 'Broker'.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Illinois.
How this state compares to 48 others for this profession
Timeline
#8 of 49
Salary
#23 of 49
Cost
#24 of 49
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Real Estate Sales Agents (SOC 41-9022)
Entry Level
$40,280
25th percentile
Median
$51,210
-9% vs. national avg ($56,320)Experienced
$65,240
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
4,220 employed in this state
Note: Real estate agent compensation is heavily commission-based. BLS OEWS data reflects base wages reported by employers and may undercount total earnings.
Source: BLS OEWS – Real Estate Sales Agents (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+1.8%
Below AverageNew Jobs
+6,500
over 10 years
Annual Openings
42,900
per year (avg.)
359,300 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Real Estate Career Ladder
You are here
Real Estate Agent
$51,210
Pre-licensing education (40-180 hours) + state exam
AQB courses + supervised experience (varies by tier)
You are here
Real Estate Agent
Pre-licensing education (40-180 hours) + state exam
$51,210
2-3 years experience + additional education + broker exam
$55,290
AQB courses + supervised experience (varies by tier)
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Source: IDFPR — Real Estate Brokerage
Estimated total: 4–24 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: IDFPR — Real Estate Brokerage
Study guides and practice tests for the real estate licensing exam.
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All data on this page was verified against the following official sources. Last verified: 2026-03-22.
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