How to get a Real Estate Broker license in Illinois
Illinois licenses real estate agents statewide through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Division of Real Estate.1 For the Real Estate Broker license you need 75 credit hours2 of education and a passing score on the Illinois real estate broker examination1. The board lists $150 for the initial license3. You renew every 2 years4 and complete at least 12 hours of continuing education4.
Who issues it
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Division of Real Estate
Training and experience
Training: 75 credit hours2
Exam
Illinois real estate broker examination1
Fees the board lists
Initial license fee: $1503
On this page
- Illinois real estate agent licenses
- Applies to every license level
- Who needs a Real Estate Broker license
- Requirements for a Real Estate Broker license
- How much a Real Estate Broker license costs
- How to apply
- Renewal and continuing education
- Moving to Illinois with a license from another state
- Residential Leasing Agent
- Real Estate Managing Broker
- Check a license or report a problem
- Laws and rules
- Rule changes since January 2024
- Common questions
- Real estate agent licenses in other states
Illinois real estate agent licenses
Illinois issues 3 real estate agent credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.
| License | Training or experience | Exam | Application or license fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Leasing Agent | Training 15 credit hours6 | Yes7 | $1003 |
| Real Estate Broker | Training 75 credit hours2 | Yes1 | $1503 |
| Real Estate Managing Broker | Training 165 credit hours8 Experience 2 years9 | Yes9 | $1753 |
Applies to every license level
These rules are the same for several of the Illinois real estate agent licenses on this page, so they are shown once here, with the licenses they apply to. Each license's own section lists only what differs.
1. Every license level (all 3)
Requirements
- Background check
- Applicants disclose listed convictions and sanctions; none is an automatic bar and IDFPR weighs mitigating factors.11
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Paid to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processing a sponsorship transfer | $353 | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Division of Real Estate | Changing or adding a sponsoring broker (Sponsor Card). Not refundable |
| License verification to another state | $353 | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Division of Real Estate | Certified license record. Not refundable |
Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.
The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee.
Renewal
- Late renewal
- Late renewal fee: $753 (expired no more than 2 years; paid on top of the renewal fee)
- If it expires
- Renewal opens 90 days before expiration.12
Expired up to 2 years: renew by paying the fees and completing CE (request a late renewal application by email).13
Expired more than 2 but less than 5 years: use the Restoration Application with CE proof for each lapsed term.13
Expired more than 5 years: meet the requirements for a new license.13
Practicing on an expired or inactive license is unlicensed practice.14 - Renew online
- idfpr.illinois.gov15
From another state
Military service members, veterans and spouses: Licenses that expired during active duty may be renewed within 2 years after service without lapsed fees or CE. IDFPR offers expedited review for service members and spouses (active duty, or service ended within the preceding 2 years).16
2. Every license level except Real Estate Managing Broker
Requirements
3. Every license level except Residential Leasing Agent
Requirements
- Social Security number
- SSN or Tax Identification Number (ITIN) required on the application.17
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Paid to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Requesting credit for CE obtained while out-of-state | $503 | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Division of Real Estate | Per out-of-state CE course. Not refundable |
Who needs a Real Estate Broker license
Work that does not need this license:
- Owners and lessors acting only on their own property, and their regular employees18
Other rules on who may do this work:
- Attorneys at law performing their duties as attorneys; attorneys in fact under a recorded power of attorney18
- Resident managers who live on the premises and lease that property18
- Resident lessees referring up to 3 prospective lessees in 12 months, with compensation capped at the lesser of $5,000 or 2 months' rent18
Requirements for a Real Estate Broker license
More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2 and group 3 under Applies to every license level.
- Education or training
- 75 credit hours2
Pre-license real estate courses: 60 hours of Real Estate Topics plus 15 hours of Applied Real Estate Principles19
Who may teach it: Courses approved by the Department; list on the IDFPR page. The pre-license education stays valid for 2 years.2
Alternative: Attorneys admitted in Illinois and in active standing are exempt from the diploma and 75-hour requirements (the exam still applies).1 - Education or training
- 45 credit hours20
Post-license: three 15-hour courses (applied brokerage principles, risk management/discipline, transactional issues), each with a 50-question exam, before the first renewal20
Who may teach it: IDFPR-approved education providers21
Alternative: Does not apply to attorneys admitted in Illinois.20 - Exam
- Illinois real estate broker examination1
Given by: PSI (exam scheduling linked from the IDFPR real estate page)15
When you can take it: After finishing the education and reaching the minimum age.22
The exam has an Illinois portion (IDFPR curriculum wording).23
Retakes: After 4 consecutive failures, repeat the pre-license education; the fifth attempt counts as a new first attempt with a new exam application.22
Time limit: Apply for the license within one year of the passing score, or exam credit ends. Pre-license education counts for 2 years.24
Exam waived: No exam waiver found: endorsement applicants still pass a test on Illinois-specific real estate brokerage laws.5 - Business requirements
- To work, a broker needs a valid sponsorship registered with IDFPR; without it the license is inactive.1
- Business requirements
- Corporations, LLCs and partnerships hold their own license: $250 application, $300 renewal.3
How much a Real Estate Broker license costs
| Fee | Amount | Paid to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial license fee | $1503 | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Division of Real Estate | Not refundable. Effective July 7, 2025 |
| Fee to transfer from a managing broker license to a broker license | $1503 | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Division of Real Estate | Managing broker exchanging down to broker. Not refundable |
Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.
How to apply
- Complete the 75 pre-license hours with an IDFPR-approved provider. They stay valid for 2 years.2
- Apply to take the exam through the testing service (PSI), certifying age and diploma and paying its fee.3
- Pass the exam.1
- Within one year of passing, file the license application with the $150 fee and any transcript.24
- To be active, include proof of sponsorship from a sponsoring broker. You cannot start work until the sponsorship is registered.1
- Finish the 45-hour post-license education before your first renewal deadline.20
Renewal and continuing education
- How often
- Every 2 years4
- Renewal fee
- $2003
- Continuing education
- At least 12 hours each renewal period4
- Required topics
- 6 hours core, including at least 2 hours of fair housing4
6 hours elective, including sexual harassment prevention training21
First term: 45-hour post-license education replaces CE4
Licensed within 180 days before the first renewal deadline: finish post-license before the second deadline4 - Approved courses
- Only courses from Division-licensed education providers count; maximum 12 CE hours per calendar day.4
- Exemptions
- Attorneys admitted in Illinois21
Renewal planner
Enter the expiration date printed on your Illinois Real Estate Broker license. The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.
Moving to Illinois with a license from another state
These are the routes the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Division of Real Estate publishes for the Real Estate Broker license. The other real estate agent licenses have their own routes in their sections below.
- Route
- License by endorsement
- What the board says
- A broker active and in good standing in another state or jurisdiction can be licensed by endorsement after a pre-license endorsement course and a test on Illinois law. Less than 2 years of active practice also means the 45-hour post-license education.5
- Conditions
- Certification from the licensing agency in each state of licensure17
30-hour Broker Pre-License Endorsement Course, shown on a Uniform Real Estate Transcript23
Score report from the Real Estate Endorsement Examination17
Nonresidents appoint the Secretary as agent for service of process5
Sponsor Card for active status; otherwise the license issues inactive17 - Fee
- $15017
Residential Leasing Agent
Requirements
- Education or training
- 15 credit hours6
Approved course on leasing residential real property7
Who may teach it: Providers, instructors and courses must be approved and licensed by the Division; education valid for 2 years.6 - Exam
- Residential leasing agent examination7
Given by: PSI (exam scheduling linked from the IDFPR real estate page)15
When you can take it: After finishing the education and reaching the minimum age.22
Retakes: After 4 consecutive failures, repeat the pre-license education.10
Time limit: Apply within one year of the passing score.25 - Business requirements
- Needs a valid sponsorship to work.7
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Paid to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial license fee | $1003 | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Division of Real Estate | Not refundable. Effective July 7, 2025 |
| Temporary license or permit | $503 | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Division of Real Estate | 120-day permit. Not refundable |
Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.
How to apply
- Complete the 15-hour approved course.10
- Apply for the exam through the testing service (PSI), certify your age and schooling, pay its fee and pass.10
- Within one year, file the license application with the $100 fee.3
- For active status include proof of sponsorship.25
Renewal
- When it expires
- Expires July 31 of each even-numbered year.14
- Renewal fee
- $1503
- Continuing education
- At least 8 hours each renewal period26
- Required topics
- 8-hour core course, including sexual harassment prevention training27
No CE at the first renewal after the initial license26 - Approved courses
- Division-approved providers, instructors and courses26
From another state
- Route
- No reciprocity
- What the board says
- The Illinois endorsement application is for brokers and managing brokers only. No leasing-agent endorsement route was found.17
More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 2 under Applies to every license level.
Real Estate Managing Broker
Requirements
- Minimum age
- 20 years old9
- Education or training
- At least 165 credit hours8
165 total hours: the 120 broker pre- and post-license hours plus 45 hours of brokerage administration and management completed within the year before applying, at least 15 live9
Who may teach it: Approved courses only28
Alternative: Attorneys admitted in Illinois and in active standing are exempt from the education requirement.9 - Experience
- At least 2 years9
Licensed as a broker 2 consecutive years out of the preceding 39
License you must hold first: Real estate broker, active and in good standing29 - Exam
- Managing broker examination9
Given by: PSI (exam scheduling linked from the IDFPR real estate page)15
When you can take it: After finishing the education and reaching the minimum age.22
Retakes: After 4 consecutive failures, repeat the pre-license education.28
Time limit: Apply within one year of the passing score.29
Exam waived: No exam waiver found: endorsement applicants still pass a test on Illinois-specific laws.5 - Business requirements
- A self-sponsored managing broker files a consent to examine and audit special accounts and meets the office requirements.29
- Business requirements
- A self-sponsored managing broker's virtual office costs $200 to open and $100 at each renewal, on top of the license fees.3
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Paid to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial license fee | $1753 | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Division of Real Estate | Not refundable. Effective July 7, 2025 |
How to apply
- Hold a broker license for 2 consecutive years out of the last 3.9
- Take the 45 hours on brokerage administration and management within the year before you apply.9
- Apply for the exam through the testing service (PSI) and pass it.28
- Within one year, file the license application with the $175 fee, your broker certification and any transcript.3
- For active status, include proof of sponsorship or self-sponsorship (plus the special accounts consent if self-sponsored).29
Renewal
- Renewal fee
- $2503
- Continuing education
- At least 24 hours each renewal period30
- Required topics
- 12-hour Broker Management CE course31
First-time renewers may use the 45-hour pre-license management course toward the 12-hour requirement.31 - Approved courses
- Only courses from education providers licensed by the Department count; maximum 12 CE hours per day.31
From another state
- Route
- License by endorsement
- What the board says
- A managing broker active in another state, actively practicing for the 2 years before applying, can be licensed by endorsement after a pre-license endorsement course and a test on Illinois law.5
- Conditions
- Certification from each state of licensure5
Endorsement course and Illinois-law exam5
Self-sponsored applicants file the Consent to Examine and Audit Special Accounts17 - Fee
- $17517
- Route
- Reciprocity agreements
- What the board says
- Reciprocity for managing brokers ended on December 31, 2025 under the rule's own wording.33
- States on Illinois's list
- The pages cited here give no list of partner states for this route; the board's words above say who qualifies. Ask the board which states it has agreements with.
More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 3 under Applies to every license level.
Check a license or report a problem
Before you hire a real estate agent in Illinois, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Illinois is on the Illinois license lookup page.
- Look up a license
- online-dfpr.micropact.com21
- File a complaint
- idfpr.illinois.gov15
Laws and rules
The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.
- 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1450.130, amended 49 Ill. Reg. 9512, eff. July 7, 2025
- 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1450.140 (Renewals)
- 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1450.145 (Restoration)
- 225 ILCS 454/5-35 (Examination)
- 225 ILCS 454/5-50 (Expiration and renewal)
- 225 ILCS 454/5-20 (Exemptions)
- 225 ILCS 454/5-27 (broker requirements)
- 225 ILCS 454/5-60.5 (endorsement)
- 225 ILCS 454/5-60 (reciprocal agreements; section marked for repeal January 1, 2026)
- 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1450.400, .410, .420, .430, .440, .450
- 225 ILCS 454/5-10
- 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1450.205, .210, .220, .250
- 225 ILCS 454/5-28 (managing broker requirements)
- 225 ILCS 454/5-29 (temporary practice as designated managing broker)
- 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1450.500, .510, .520, .530, .540
Rule changes since January 2024
- July 7, 2025: Fee rule and broker CE rule amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 9512: core CE is 6 hours (2 of fair housing) with 6 elective.4
Common questions
How long does it take to get a Real Estate Broker license in Illinois?
The rules set 75 credit hours2 before you can be licensed. The board does not publish how long it takes to process an application.
Can I transfer my real estate agent license to Illinois?
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Division of Real Estate publishes this route for the Real Estate Broker license: license by endorsement5. Conditions and forms.
Real estate agent licenses in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.
- 225 ILCS 454/5-27Illinois General AssemblyDated January 1, 2023Checked November 5, 2026
- 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1450.400Illinois General Assembly (Joint Committee on Administrative Rules)Dated July 7, 2025Checked November 5, 2026
- 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1450.130 FeesIllinois General Assembly (Joint Committee on Administrative Rules)Dated July 7, 2025Checked November 5, 2026
- 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1450.450Illinois General Assembly (Joint Committee on Administrative Rules)Dated July 7, 2025Checked November 5, 2026
- 225 ILCS 454/5-60.5Illinois General AssemblyDated January 1, 2025Checked November 5, 2026
- 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1450.205 Leasing agentIllinois General Assembly (Joint Committee on Administrative Rules)Dated February 23, 2021Checked November 5, 2026
- 225 ILCS 454/5-10Illinois General AssemblyDated January 1, 2024Checked November 5, 2026
- 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1450.500Illinois General Assembly (Joint Committee on Administrative Rules)Dated January 25, 2019Checked November 5, 2026
- 225 ILCS 454/5-28Illinois General AssemblyDated January 1, 2025Checked November 5, 2026
- 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1450.210Illinois General Assembly (Joint Committee on Administrative Rules)Dated February 23, 2021Checked November 5, 2026
- Real Estate - Conviction History FAQ (12-2025)Illinois Department of Financial and Professional RegulationChecked November 5, 2026
- 225 ILCS 454/5-50Illinois General AssemblyDated January 1, 2024Checked November 5, 2026
- Restoration Application for Leasing Agent/Broker/Managing BrokerIllinois Department of Financial and Professional RegulationChecked November 5, 2026
- 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1450.140 RenewalsIllinois General Assembly (Joint Committee on Administrative Rules)Dated February 23, 2021Checked November 5, 2026
- Real Estate profession pageIllinois Department of Financial and Professional RegulationChecked November 5, 2026
- IDFPR | Military Service Members and SpousesIllinois Department of Financial and Professional RegulationChecked November 5, 2026
- Real Estate Application for Licensure by EndorsementIllinois Department of Financial and Professional RegulationChecked November 5, 2026
- 225 ILCS 454/5-20Illinois General AssemblyDated January 1, 2025Checked November 5, 2026
- Broker 75-Hour Pre-License CurriculumIllinois Department of Financial and Professional RegulationChecked November 5, 2026
- 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1450.410 BrokerIllinois General Assembly (Joint Committee on Administrative Rules)Dated February 23, 2021Checked November 5, 2026
- 2026 CE Fact Sheet - Real Estate BrokerIllinois Department of Financial and Professional RegulationChecked November 5, 2026
- 225 ILCS 454/5-35Illinois General AssemblyDated January 1, 2025Checked November 5, 2026
- 30-Hour Real Estate Broker Pre-License Endorsement Course CurriculumIllinois Department of Financial and Professional RegulationChecked November 5, 2026
- 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1450.430 Broker application by examinationIllinois General Assembly (Joint Committee on Administrative Rules)Dated July 7, 2025Checked November 5, 2026
- 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1450.220Illinois General Assembly (Joint Committee on Administrative Rules)Dated February 23, 2021Checked November 5, 2026
- 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1450.250 Leasing agentIllinois General Assembly (Joint Committee on Administrative Rules)Dated February 23, 2021Checked November 5, 2026
- 2026 CE Fact Sheet - Residential Leasing AgentIllinois Department of Financial and Professional RegulationChecked November 5, 2026
- 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1450.510 Managing brokerIllinois General Assembly (Joint Committee on Administrative Rules)Dated February 23, 2021Checked November 5, 2026
- 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1450.520 Managing brokerIllinois General Assembly (Joint Committee on Administrative Rules)Dated February 23, 2021Checked November 5, 2026
- 2027 CE Fact Sheet - Managing BrokerIllinois Department of Financial and Professional RegulationChecked November 5, 2026
- 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1450.540Illinois General Assembly (Joint Committee on Administrative Rules)Dated February 23, 2021Checked November 5, 2026
- 2025 Managing Broker Renewal Application (paper)Illinois Department of Financial and Professional RegulationChecked November 5, 2026
- 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1450.530 Managing brokerIllinois General Assembly (Joint Committee on Administrative Rules)Dated July 7, 2025Checked November 5, 2026