What you need to do to become a licensed realtor in Illinois
To become a licensed realtor in Illinois, you must pass the state real estate exam, complete pre-licensing education, and join the National Association of Realtors (NAR). The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) oversees real estate licensing. The process takes roughly two to four months from start to finish, depending on how quickly you complete the education requirement and pass the exam on your first attempt.
Illinois distinguishes between a real estate salesperson license (which lets you work under a broker) and a broker license (which lets you run your own firm or supervise other agents). Most people start as salespersons. You cannot legally show property, list homes, or collect commission without one of these licenses.
Key Takeaways
- You must complete 75 hours of pre-licensing coursework from an IDFPR-approved school before you can sit for the state exam.
- The state exam costs $50 and is administered by Pearson VUE; you must score at least 75 percent to pass.
- After passing the exam, you must join a real estate brokerage firm within 30 days and register with IDFPR to set up your license.
- Membership in the National Association of Realtors is not required by law but is expected by most brokers and gives you access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS).
- Your license must be renewed every two years, and you must complete 12 hours of continuing education during each renewal period.
The 75-hour pre-licensing course requirement
Before you can take the state exam, Illinois requires you to complete 75 hours of approved real estate education. This is not optional, and IDFPR will not let you sit for the exam without proof of completion. You must take this course from a school that holds an active IDFPR approval — not all online real estate schools are approved in Illinois, so verify the school's status on the IDFPR website before enrolling.
The course covers Illinois real estate law, contracts, financing, property management, ethics, and fair housing. Most approved schools offer the course online, in-person, or hybrid. Online courses typically take two to four weeks to complete if you work through them full-time; in-person classes may be spread over several weeks with evening or weekend sessions. The cost ranges from roughly $150 to $400 depending on the provider.
After you finish the course, the school issues a certificate of completion. Keep this document — you will need to upload it or provide it when you register for the state exam. IDFPR does not issue the certificate; the school does.
Registering for and passing the state exam
Once you have your course completion certificate, you register for the Illinois real estate salesperson exam through Pearson VUE, the testing company that administers it. You create an account on the Pearson VUE website, upload your certificate, and pay the $50 exam fee. Pearson VUE will then send you an authorization to test (ATT), which you use to schedule your exam at a local testing center.
The exam has 80 multiple-choice questions and you have two hours to complete it. You must score at least 75 percent (60 out of 80 questions) to pass. The test covers Illinois-specific real estate law, federal fair housing law, contract interpretation, and ethical standards. Most people study for one to two weeks after finishing the course. If you do not pass on your first attempt, you can retake the exam; there is no limit on attempts, but you must pay the $50 fee each time.
Pearson VUE notifies you of your score when ready after you finish the exam. If you pass, you receive an official score report that you will need when you explore for your license with IDFPR.
Joining a brokerage and registering your license
Your exam score alone does not make you a licensed realtor. After you pass, you must join a real estate brokerage firm. The broker is the person or company that holds the actual license and supervises your work. You cannot work independently as a salesperson — you must work under a broker's license. Most brokers require you to have passed the state exam before they will hire you, so this step happens after your exam success.
Once a broker agrees to hire you, they will sponsor your process to IDFPR. You and the broker complete the License process for Salesperson form together. You must submit your exam score report, proof of identity, and any other documents IDFPR requests. There is no separate fee to IDFPR for the license itself, though the broker may charge you a sponsorship fee (this varies by firm).
IDFPR typically processes the process within one to two weeks. Your license becomes active once IDFPR approves it and the broker registers you in their system. You have 30 days from passing the exam to join a brokerage; if you do not, your exam score expires and you must retake the test.
Joining the National Association of Realtors
The term "realtor" is a trademark owned by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Technically, you are a licensed real estate salesperson until you join NAR; after that, you can call yourself a realtor. NAR membership is not required by Illinois law, but most brokers expect it and many require it as a condition of employment.
NAR membership costs roughly $150 to $200 per year, though you also pay local and state association dues, which vary by area. In total, first-year NAR membership typically costs $400 to $800 depending on your local market. In exchange, you gain access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), which is the database of homes for sale that nearly all real estate transactions run through. Without MLS access, you cannot effectively list or show properties.
You explore for NAR membership through your local real estate board after you have your active IDFPR license and a sponsoring broker. The process process takes one to two weeks.
License renewal and continuing education
Your Illinois real estate license is valid for two years from the date IDFPR issues it. To renew, you must complete 12 hours of approved continuing education during the two-year period and pay a renewal fee to IDFPR. The renewal fee is $75 for a salesperson license. You must renew before your license expires; an expired license cannot be used to conduct real estate business.
The 12 hours of continuing education must come from IDFPR-approved providers, just like the initial 75-hour course. Most brokers help their agents find approved courses, and many offer in-house training that counts toward the requirement. You can complete the hours anytime during the two-year period — you do not have to wait until the last month.
To renew, you submit proof of your 12 continuing education hours to IDFPR along with the renewal fee. You can renew online through the IDFPR website. If you let your license expire, you can restore it within two years by paying a late fee and submitting any missing continuing education hours; after two years, you must retake the full 75-hour course and exam.
Common obstacles and how to handle them
The most common reason people do not complete the process is failing the state exam on the first attempt. If this happens, review the topics you missed, study for another week or two, and retake the exam. Many people pass on the second try. There is no penalty for retaking — just the $50 fee each time.
Another frequent issue is not joining a brokerage within 30 days of passing the exam. If your exam score expires, you must retake the test. To avoid this, start looking for a broker before you take the exam, or have a broker lined up the day you pass. Many brokers hire new agents regularly, so this is usually not difficult.
Some people also underestimate the cost. Between the course ($150–$400), the exam ($50), NAR membership ($400–$800 first year), and broker fees, the total first-year cost is typically $600 to $1,500. Budget for this before you start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a high school diploma or college degree to get a real estate license in Illinois?
Illinois does not require a high school diploma or any college education to become a licensed salesperson. You must be at least 18 years old, have a valid Social Security number, and pass the state exam. Some brokers may have their own education requirements, but the state does not.
Can I take the pre-licensing course and exam in a different state and transfer my license to Illinois?
No. You must complete the 75-hour Illinois course and pass the Illinois exam. Other states' licenses do not transfer. If you move to Illinois from another state where you were licensed, you still must take the Illinois course and exam, though some states have reciprocity agreements that may waive certain requirements — check with IDFPR.
What happens if I fail the state exam?
You can retake the exam as many times as you need. Each attempt costs $50 and you must register through Pearson VUE again. There is no waiting period between attempts, though most people study for a week or two before trying again. Your exam score is valid for 30 days, so you have that window to join a brokerage after you pass.
Do I have to work full-time as a realtor after I get my license?
No. You can work part-time or full-time. However, you must maintain an active brokerage sponsorship and renew your license every two years. If you stop working in real estate, you can let your license expire rather than renewing it, and you do not have to complete continuing education.
How much do real estate agents make in Illinois?
Income varies widely based on the market, the brokerage, and how much you work. Real estate agents are typically paid commission on the homes they sell, not a salary. Your broker takes a percentage of each commission. There is no set minimum or maximum income — it depends entirely on your sales performance.