The Steps and Costs of Getting Your License
The Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation's (IDFPR) Division of Real Estate issue real estate broker licenses to individuals meeting the criteria below. Question about any of the information should be sent to Education@IllinoisRealtors.org.
Meet IDFPR minimum qualifications
Minimum Age: 18
Minimum Education: High School Diploma or GED
Identification: SSN or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number AND government-issued photo ID
Online Courses at Illinois REALTORS®
Pre-License course packages at Illinois REALTORS® range from $619 to $475
Pre-License courses purchased individually at Illinois REALTORS® range from $419 to $129
Online Courses at the Champaign County Association of REALTORS®
Pre-License course package with exam prep $550
Pre-License course package without exam prep $475
There are FREE trails to see if this is a good fit for you!
If you are looking for either a live or virtual classroom experience those are available to you as well. You can view a full list of live or virtual classes here.
Classes cost $625 (books may need to be purchased separately).
The next step to getting you real estate license is taking and passing the State and National Licensing Exam.
You have two years from completing your pre-license education to register for and take the real estate licensing exam with PSI (the license exam administrator).
State portion: 40 multiple-choice questions
National portion: 100 multiple-choice questions
Allowed attempts: Four
Exam fee: $58 each attempt
Passing score report: passed exam valid for one year
Illinois brokers work under the sponsorship and supervision of a managing broker, so you will need to interview different brokerages to find the one that fits you best.
Hear from Mike Oldenettel & Norm Willoughby on how to find the right brokerage and sponsoring broker. Click here for video.
Now that you've found a brokerage that is right for you and you've signed with them the next step is to apply for your license with IDFPR.
Register: Click here to create an account on the IDFPR's online portal
Upload: Pre-License transcript(s) - valid for two years
Passing score report: passed exam valid for one year
Application fee: $150
Confirmation: Managing Broker confirms sponsorship
Joining CCAR may not be required by your Managing Broker however, if you are interested in getting MRED (MLS) and Supra (eKey Lockbox) you will have to join a REALTORS® Association and The Champaign County Association of REALTORS® (CCAR) is your local association.
All new members are required to have a short 30 to 45 minute onboarding training. Call Gabby at 217-356-1389, ext 1002 or email her at gabbyp@illinihomes.com to schedule a time for this training.
Joining: To join you must have a Managing Broker that is also a member of CCAR.
Application: Here is the CCAR Application
Fees: Click here to see a list of all the fees associated with joining CCAR.
There is a mandatory two day orientation that ALL new members have to take. You will find the dates and times on the last page of the application. Failure to take the mandatory orientation will result in a loss of services.