Illinois licensing guide
How to Get a Real Estate License in Illinois
A practical step-by-step guide to Illinois licensing requirements, estimated costs, timeline, official resources, and what to do after you pass.
Illinois licensing snapshot
Last reviewed May 25, 2026
- License type
- Real Estate Broker
- Minimum age
- 18
- Pre-license education
- 75 hours
- Exam provider
- PSI Services LLC
- Estimated cost
- $600–$1,200
- Estimated timeline
- 2–4 months
- Renewal cycle
- Every 2 years
Illinois brokers must complete 12 hours of continuing education during each renewal period, including 6 hours of core curriculum with at least 2 hours of fair housing and 6 hours of elective courses. Licensees who obtain their initial license in the last 90 days before renewal are exempt for that term.
Licensing path
Step-by-step licensing path
Use this as a planning sequence, then confirm each requirement with the official state source.
Meet eligibility requirements
You must be at least 18 years old, possess a high‑school diploma or GED, and be of good moral character.
Complete 75‑hour pre‑license education
Finish 60 hours of Real Estate Topics and 15 hours of Applied Real Estate Principles delivered in a live interactive format.
Apply to take the exam
Obtain a pre‑license education transcript/certificate and register with PSI for the broker licensing exam; pay the exam fee and schedule an appointment.
Pass the PSI exam
Pass the national and state sections of the broker exam. You are allowed up to four attempts within a two‑year eligibility period.
Submit license application
After passing the exam, submit the license application to IDFPR and pay the $150 initial license fee. You must be sponsored by a managing broker to activate the license.
Complete continuing education and renew
During each two‑year renewal period, complete 12 hours of continuing education including core and elective courses, then pay the renewal fee to keep your license in good standing.
Budget planning
Estimated costs
Estimated total cost: $600–$1,200. Actual costs vary by provider, application path, exam retakes, and local business setup choices.
| Cost item | Estimated amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pre‑licensing education | $300–$700 | Cost of 75‑hour broker course package. |
| Examination fee | $58 | PSI broker exam fee. |
| Application fee | $150 | Initial broker license fee set by the Illinois Administrative Code. |
| Renewal fee | $200 | Biennial renewal fee for an unexpired broker license. |
| Continuing education | $80–$150 | Cost to complete 12 hours of CE per renewal period. |
Renewal planning
Continuing education
Questions
FAQs
What continuing education is required for Illinois brokers?
Brokers must complete 12 hours of CE per renewal period, including a 6‑hour core curriculum (with at least 2 hours of fair housing) and 6 hours of elective courses.
How much does the Illinois broker exam cost?
The examination fee for the broker license is $58, payable to PSI Services LLC.
After you pass the exam
Passing the exam does not create an operating system. New agents still need to manage contacts, follow-ups, active deals, deadlines, client communication, partners, and daily priorities.
New Agent Checklist
Set up the business basics, contacts, partners, follow-up habits, and first-deal readiness.
First 30 Days
Build a practical launch rhythm for contacts, partners, client conversations, and daily work.
License Cost Calculator
Estimate state licensing costs, education, exam, application, background, and setup expenses.
First-Year Budget Calculator
Plan startup and operating costs before your first year gets noisy.
Agent Nook workflow
Licensed is only the beginning.
Agent Nook helps new agents keep deals, deadlines, clients, partners, and daily work organized from the first transaction forward.