How long does it take to get an Illinois real estate license?

Most people finish in 6 to 16 weeks. The 60-hour course can be done self-paced online in a few weeks, but you'll need to schedule the 15-hour Applied Real Estate Principles course live — seat availability sometimes adds a week or two. After passing the PSI exam, a 45-day sponsor card from your brokerage lets you start working while IDFPR processes the application.

How much does an Illinois broker license cost?

Expect $500–$950 total: $300–$700 for the 75 hours of coursework, $58 for the PSI exam, and $150 for the IDFPR application (up from $125 as of January 2024). Budget another $150–$300 down the road for the mandatory 45-hour post-license education before your first renewal.

What score do I need to pass the Illinois exam?

70% on the 100-question national portion and 75% on the 40-question Illinois portion. Don't be confused by older guides citing a 'scaled score of 75' on the national side — PSI changed how scores are reported, and 70% is the identical passing standard under the new system. Fail one portion and you only retake that part ($58 each attempt).

Do I need a sponsoring broker to get licensed in Illinois?

You can complete the education and pass the exam without one, but the license only becomes active once a sponsoring managing broker signs on. The nice part: once you pass and have a sponsor, the brokerage can issue a 45-day sponsor card that acts as a temporary permit, so you can legally practice while IDFPR finishes processing.

Can I get an Illinois license with a felony or criminal record?

Often yes. Illinois doesn't fingerprint real estate applicants — you answer disclosure questions on the application, and IDFPR reviews any convictions case-by-case, weighing the offense's relationship to real estate practice, time elapsed, and rehabilitation. Be truthful: an omission is far more likely to sink an application than an old conviction.

Why is the entry-level Illinois license called 'broker' instead of 'salesperson'?

Illinois retired the salesperson license back in 2011 and renamed the entry license 'broker' — so an Illinois 'broker' is the equivalent of a 'salesperson' or 'agent' in Georgia, Ohio, or Pennsylvania. The supervisory license (what other states call 'broker') is 'managing broker' in Illinois. Keep that in mind when comparing requirements across states.

Illinois · IL

How to get your Illinois real estate license

Everything you need to earn an Illinois salesperson license — from eligibility to your first sponsoring broker.

Requirements last verified July 8, 2026 by Matt Cochrell, licensed broker.

Quick answer · Verified July 8, 2026

How to get an Illinois real estate license

Hours required: 75 hrs
Total cost: $500 – $950
Typical timeline: 6–16 weeks
Minimum age: 18+

Step 1

Confirm you're eligible for an Illinois real estate license

You must be at least 18 years old and hold a high school diploma or GED to apply for an Illinois real estate license. A criminal background check is required — most non-violent offenses are reviewed case-by-case.

Step 2

Complete 75 hours of pre-licensing education

Note: Illinois abolished the 'salesperson' license in 2011 — the entry-level license is called 'broker' (the supervisory license is 'managing broker'). The 75 hours = 60 hours of coursework plus a 15-hour interactive 'Applied Real Estate Principles' course that must be taken live (in-person or live webinar — it cannot be self-paced). Application fee rose from $125 to $150 effective January 2024; some sites still list $125.

Confirm eligibility: at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or GED
Complete the 60-hour Real Estate Broker pre-license topics course at an IDFPR-approved education provider (self-paced online allowed)
Complete the 15-hour interactive Applied Real Estate Principles course — live instruction only, no self-paced option
Licensed attorneys admitted by the Illinois Supreme Court are exempt from the education requirement
Within your first renewal period, complete the 45-hour broker post-license curriculum (three 15-hour courses)

Step 3

Pass the Illinois real estate exam

Illinois uses PSI to administer the licensing exam. You'll need a passing score of 70% on the national portion and 75% on the Illinois state portion (the 70% national standard equals the previously reported scaled score of 75 — same difficulty, new reporting). The exam fee is $58. Expect roughly 100 national questions and 40–50 state-specific questions. Format: Two-part computer-based exam: 100-question national portion (150 min) and 40-question Illinois state portion (90 min); portions passed separately with retakes of only the failed part.

Step 4

Apply for your Illinois license

Complete both pre-license courses (60 + 15 hours) and upload certificates to PSI for eligibility
Schedule and pass the PSI broker exam ($58 per attempt)
Find a sponsoring (managing) broker — your license cannot be activated without one, and brokerage-issued 45-day sponsor cards let you start practicing while IDFPR processes your application
Apply online through the IDFPR portal with the $150 application fee (increased from $125 in January 2024)
Answer the criminal history disclosure questions — Illinois does not require fingerprinting for real estate broker applicants
IDFPR issues the license to your sponsoring brokerage; without a sponsor the license sits inactive and you cannot list, show, or earn commissions

Step 5

Find a sponsoring broker

Your Illinois license stays inactive until a licensed broker sponsors you. Interview at least 2–3 brokerages, compare commission splits, training, and lead sources, and pick the one that fits your career goals — not just the highest split.

Illinois real estate license cost breakdown

Here's a realistic estimate of everything you'll pay to earn your license. Course price is the largest variable — state fees are fixed.

Cost breakdown
Item	Amount
75-hour pre-licensing courses (60-hr + 15-hr interactive)	$300 – $700
IDFPR application fee	$150
PSI exam fee	$58 per attempt
Fingerprinting / background check	Not required — disclosure questions only
Estimated total	$500 – $950

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Frequently asked questions

Renewal: 2-year cycle ending April 30 of even-numbered years; $150 renewal. First renewal requires the 45-hour post-license curriculum instead of standard CE. Every renewal after that: 12 hours of CE, including a 6-hour Core course (with 2 hours of fair housing) and 6 elective hours that must include the 1-hour Sexual Harassment Prevention Training..

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