| Requirement | Illinois |
|---|---|
| Pre-license education | 75 hours |
| Exam administrator | PSI |
| License / application fee | n/a |
| Exam fee | n/a |
| Regulator | Illinois Dept. of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR) |
| Payroll-employed agents (BLS) | 6,030 |
| Agent median pay (BLS May 2025) | $59,220 |
Licensing & state law
How to become a real estate agent in Illinois
To get an Illinois real estate salesperson license you complete 75 hours of state-approved pre-license education, pass the PSI-administered exam, clear a background check and affiliate with a sponsoring broker. The Illinois Dept. of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR) sets the rules and issues the license.
What are the requirements for a Illinois real estate license?
Illinois requires 75 hours of approved pre-license education, a passing score on the PSI salesperson exam, a background check and sponsorship by a licensed broker. The table lists each requirement, the published fees WealthyBud could source and the regulator.
What are the steps to get licensed in Illinois?
Getting licensed in Illinois takes six steps: meet eligibility, finish 75 hours of pre-license education, pass the PSI exam, clear a background check, affiliate with a sponsoring broker, then apply and activate with the Illinois Dept. of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR).
1/ 6
Meet the basic eligibility
Be at least 18 and hold a high-school diploma or equivalent; the Illinois Dept. of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR) lists any residency or other conditions.
2/ 6
Complete 75 hours of pre-license education
Illinois requires 75 hours from a state-approved real estate school, in a classroom or online.
3/ 6
Pass the Illinois salesperson exam
The exam is administered by PSI and covers national real estate principles plus Illinois law.
4/ 6
Clear the background check
Submit fingerprints or a criminal-history check as required by the Illinois Dept. of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR).
5/ 6
Affiliate with a sponsoring broker
A new Illinois salesperson must work under a licensed broker before practicing.
6/ 6
Apply and activate the license
File the application and pay the license fee to the Illinois Dept. of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR), then activate under your broker.
How much does an Illinois real estate license cost?
Illinois's published costs in WealthyBud's sources are: license fee: n/a (not published in our sources); exam fee: n/a. Pre-license course tuition is set by each school and is not regulated, so it is not listed. Confirm every fee with the Illinois Dept. of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR) before applying.
How much do licensed agents earn in Illinois?
Payroll-employed real estate sales agents in Illinois earned a median of $59,220 in May 2025 (BLS); the bottom 10% earned under $35,830. See the full Illinois agent salary breakdown.
What are Illinois’s housing markets like for new agents?
WealthyBud tracks 28 Illinois housing markets. Their median listing prices have a midpoint of $194,322 as of September 2026, from $99,900 in Canton to $389,450 in Chicago; 11 of 28 are below last year's asking price.
| Market | Median list price | YoY | Days on market | Active listings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL | $389,450 | +4.6% | 36 | 15,929 |
| Peoria, IL | $179,300 | -0.4% | 35 | 658 |
| Champaign, IL | $299,950 | +10.1% | 55 | 506 |
| Rockford, IL | $268,500 | +7.4% | 35 | 450 |
| Ottawa, IL | $226,969 | +13.5% | 56 | 355 |
All tracked markets: Illinois housing market hub.
Illinois real estate license FAQ
How many hours of education do you need for a real estate license in Illinois?
Illinois requires 75 hours of state-approved pre-license education before the salesperson exam, according to WealthyBud's compilation of Illinois Dept. of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR) requirements.
How much does an Illinois real estate license cost?
Published fees in WealthyBud's sources: license fee: n/a (not published in our sources); exam fee: n/a. Course tuition varies by school. The Illinois Dept. of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR) publishes the current fee schedule.
Who administers the Illinois real estate exam?
PSI administers the Illinois salesperson exam.
Do you need a college degree to get a real estate license in Illinois?
No. Illinois requires pre-license education and a passing exam score, not a college degree. You must generally be 18 with a high-school diploma or equivalent.
Who regulates real estate agents in Illinois?
The Illinois Dept. of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR) licenses and regulates Illinois real estate salespersons and brokers and is the authoritative source for current rules.
Licensing rules and fees change. Always confirm current requirements with the Illinois Dept. of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR) before enrolling.