How to Get Your Real Estate Broker License in Illinois
Governing body, experience requirements, exam details, and step-by-step instructions for Illinois. Last verified: February 2026.
Quick Facts
Hours Required
75 hrs pre-licensing
Exam
IL Real Estate Broker Exam
Fee Range
$55 app + $46 exam [VERIFY]
Governing Body
IL IDFPR
Requirements
Illinois licenses entry-level real estate agents as Brokers (not Salespersons). The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) requires 75 hours of pre-licensing education: a 60-hour Broker Pre-License Topics course and a 15-hour Applied Real Estate Principles course. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and pass a criminal background check. A sponsoring Illinois Designated Managing Broker is required.
Steps to Apply
- 1
Complete 75 hours of IDFPR-approved pre-licensing education (60-hr Broker Topics + 15-hr Applied Principles).
- 2
Schedule the Illinois Real Estate Broker exam through PSI at psiexams.com.
- 3
Pass both the national portion (75% required, 100 questions) and the Illinois state portion (75% required, 40 questions).
- 4
Complete a criminal background check through an approved provider.
- 5
Submit a Broker license application to IDFPR, pay the $55 fee, and have your sponsoring Designated Managing Broker endorse your application.
- 6
Receive your Illinois Real Estate Broker License (valid for 2 years, renewable with 12 hours of CE).
Exam Details
The Illinois Real Estate Broker exam is administered by PSI at testing centers throughout Illinois. The exam has a national portion (100 questions) and an Illinois state portion (40 questions). A score of 75% is required on each portion. Results are available immediately after the computer-based test.
Fees & Costs
Estimated total: $55 app + $46 exam [VERIFY]
The IDFPR broker license application fee is $55 [VERIFY]. The PSI exam fee is approximately $46 for both portions [VERIFY current PSI fee]. Total estimated cost: ~$100–$130 plus course fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Illinois call the entry-level license 'Broker' instead of 'Salesperson'?
Illinois changed its licensing structure in 2012. The entry-level license is now called a 'Broker' license, and the supervising agent is called a 'Designated Managing Broker' (DMB). There is no 'Salesperson' license in Illinois.
How many hours of pre-licensing education does Illinois require?
Illinois requires 75 hours of pre-licensing education: a 60-hour Broker Pre-License Topics course and a 15-hour Applied Real Estate Principles interactive course.
What is the passing score for the Illinois real estate exam?
A score of 75% is required on each portion — the national portion (100 questions) and the Illinois state portion (40 questions). You can retake portions you fail separately.
How long is an Illinois real estate broker license valid?
Illinois Broker licenses are valid for 2 years. Renewal requires 12 hours of continuing education including mandatory topics. The first renewal cycle requires 45 hours of post-license education.
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