How to Get Your Real Estate License in Illinois (2026)
Get your Illinois real estate license in 4 steps. 90 education hours, pass the 140-question exam (75%), and apply with IDFPR. Free practice test included.
Getting your real estate license in Illinois requires 90 hours of pre-licensing education, a passing score of 75% on the Illinois real estate exam, and an application to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). Your real estate license activates only after you complete all four steps and affiliate with a sponsoring broker. IDFPR oversees all salesperson licensing in the state. This guide walks you through each step from education enrollment to license activation.
Illinois Real Estate License Requirements at a Glance
Illinois requires all real estate salesperson candidates to meet these requirements before receiving a license.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Education | 90 hours of approved pre-licensing courses |
| Exam | 140 questions with 75% passing score |
| Exam Fee | $58 |
| Background Check | Fingerprinting required |
| Residency | No state residency required |
| Regulatory Body | IDFPR |
Compare passing scores by state to see where Illinois falls relative to other states. The 75% threshold applies to both the national and state sections independently.
Step 1 — Complete 90 Hours of Pre-Licensing Education
Illinois requires 90 hours of approved pre-licensing education from a state-approved school before you can sit for the real estate exam. The coursework covers Real Estate Broker Pre-License Topics, including property law, contracts, agency relationships, and Illinois-specific regulations. Schools must hold IDFPR approval to issue a valid education certificate.
Classroom and online options are both available. Full-time students typically complete the 90 hours in 4-6 weeks, while part-time students finish in 2-4 months. You must be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or equivalent to enroll.
The 90-hour requirement places Illinois above the national median for pre-licensing education. Choosing an IDFPR-approved school is non-negotiable — your exam application will be rejected without a valid education certificate from a recognized provider.
Step 2 — Pass the Illinois Real Estate Exam
After completing your education requirements, schedule the Illinois real estate exam through PSI. Register online via the PSI website, select your preferred testing center, and choose an available date. Bring two forms of government-issued ID on exam day. Review key real estate exam terms before your test date to build vocabulary fluency.
Illinois exam structure and topics
The Illinois real estate exam has two sections — a national portion with 100 questions and a state portion with 40 questions. You must pass each section independently at 75%.
The national section covers 11 topic areas. The state section tests Illinois-specific licensing, statutory requirements, and disclosure rules.
National Section (100 questions)
| Topic | Weight | Approx. Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Property Ownership | 8% | ~8 |
| Land Use Controls | 5% | ~5 |
| Valuation | 7% | ~7 |
| Financing | 10% | ~10 |
| Agency | 13% | ~13 |
| Disclosures | 6% | ~6 |
| Contracts | 17% | ~17 |
| Leasing | 3% | ~3 |
| Transfer of Title | 8% | ~8 |
| Practice of Real Estate | 13% | ~13 |
| Real Estate Calculations | 10% | ~10 |
State Section (40 questions)
| Topic | Approx. Questions |
|---|---|
| Licensing Requirements | ~12 |
| Statutory/Regulatory Requirements | ~20 |
| Disclosures | ~8 |
Math appears in roughly 10 questions under Real Estate Calculations, with additional math in Valuation and Financing. Understanding agency relationships is worth focused study — Agency carries 13% of the national section.
How to pass the Illinois real estate exam
Passing the Illinois real estate exam requires focused study on the highest-weighted topics and consistent practice testing.
- Contracts, Agency, and Practice of Real Estate carry the most weight. These 3 topics account for 43% of the national section — 43 questions out of 100. Study contract formation, agency types, and brokerage operations thoroughly.
- Statutory and Regulatory Requirements dominate the state section. With approximately 20 questions, this single topic covers standards of practice, trust accounts, advertising, and prohibited conduct under Illinois law.
- Practice math calculations. Commissions, prorations, and loan-to-value ratios appear in roughly 10 national questions. Review real estate math formulas for the calculation types tested most often.
- Take timed practice exams. Simulating real exam conditions builds speed and reveals weak areas. Start your free Illinois practice exam to gauge readiness.
- Review Illinois-specific disclosure requirements. The state section dedicates 8 questions to disclosures — know what sellers and agents must disclose under Illinois law.
Study real estate exam tips and learn how to pass the real estate exam for broader preparation strategies that apply across all states.
Step 3 — Submit Your License Application to IDFPR
After passing the exam, submit your license application to the IDFPR with the required documents and fees.
- Gather your documents. Collect your exam score report, education certificate, and background check clearance letter.
- Complete fingerprinting. Schedule fingerprinting through an approved vendor. Illinois requires this for the mandatory criminal background check.
- Submit your application online. Use IDFPR’s eLicensing portal to file your application and pay the required fees.
- Wait for processing. Application review typically takes 4-6 weeks. IDFPR will notify you by email when your license is approved.
Step 4 — Find a Sponsoring Broker and Activate Your License
Your Illinois real estate license is not active until you affiliate with a licensed managing broker who will sponsor your license. Without a managing broker affiliation, you cannot legally practice real estate in Illinois.
Interview at least 3 brokerages before choosing. Compare commission splits (50/50 to 80/20), training programs, technology tools, and mentorship opportunities. Your managing broker submits your sponsorship through IDFPR, which activates your license. Read about what to do after passing the exam for a detailed breakdown of the broker selection process and first-year expectations.
How Much Does an Illinois Real Estate License Cost?
The total cost to get your real estate license in Illinois ranges from approximately $500 to $1,200, depending on your choice of school and broker.
| Expense | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Pre-licensing education | $300–$600 |
| Exam fee | $58 |
| License application | $125–$175 |
| Background check/fingerprinting | $50–$75 |
| E&O insurance | $200–$500/year |
| MLS/association dues | $500–$1,000/year |
| Total (first year) | $1,233–$2,408 |
Education is the largest upfront cost. Online courses tend to sit at the lower end of the $300-$600 range. E&O insurance and MLS dues are ongoing annual expenses that begin after you activate your license.
Illinois-Specific Laws and Recent Changes
Illinois has several state-specific real estate laws and regulations that appear on the licensing exam. The Illinois Real Estate License Act of 2000 established the managing broker and sponsored licensee structure that governs all brokerage operations in the state. Agency disclosure requirements dictate how agents must inform consumers about representation relationships.
No recent law changes have been documented at the time of writing. Requirements may change — verify with IDFPR. The state section of the exam draws heavily from current Illinois statutes, so confirm you are studying the most recent version of the law.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a real estate license in Illinois?
Getting a real estate license in Illinois takes 2-4 months including education, exam, and application processing. The 90-hour pre-licensing course takes 4-6 weeks full-time or 2-4 months part-time. IDFPR application processing adds another 4-6 weeks.
How much does it cost to get a real estate license in Illinois?
An Illinois real estate license costs $500-$1,200 for education, exam, and application fees. First-year operating costs — including E&O insurance, MLS dues, and association fees — bring the total to $1,200-$2,400.
Can I get an Illinois real estate license online?
Pre-licensing education can be completed online through IDFPR-approved schools. The 140-question exam must be taken in person at a PSI testing center. The license application itself is submitted online through IDFPR’s eLicensing portal.
Does Illinois have real estate license reciprocity?
Illinois does not offer reciprocity with other states. IDFPR may grant credit for education completed in other states on a case-by-case basis. Contact IDFPR directly for current policies on out-of-state education credit.
How many times can you take the Illinois real estate exam?
There is no limit on retakes. You must wait 24 hours between attempts and pay the $58 exam fee each time you sit for the exam. Both the national and state sections can be retaken independently if you pass one but not the other.
Test Your Knowledge — Free Illinois Practice Exam
Prepare for the Illinois real estate exam with our free practice test covering national and state-specific topics. Questions span all 11 national content areas plus Illinois licensing requirements, statutory regulations, and disclosure rules.
Start your free Illinois practice exam →
Looking for broader study? Take our free national practice exam to strengthen your foundation across all general real estate topics.
This information is for educational purposes. Requirements may change — verify with IDFPR.
