Licensing & state law

How to become a real estate agent in Illinois

Everything it takes to get licensed in Illinois — 75 hours of pre-license education, the PSI exam, background check, a sponsoring broker and the real cost. Requirements set by the Illinois Dept. of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR).

Pre-license hours
75
State-approved
Licensing exam
PSI
Salesperson
Est. all-in cost
$825+
Course + fees
Typical timeline
2–5 mo
To activation
The Illinois path, step by step
1/ 6

Meet the basic eligibility

Be at least 18 years old and hold a high-school diploma or equivalent. Some steps in Illinois also require legal U.S. residency or work authorization.

2/ 6

Complete 75 hours of approved pre-license education

Illinois requires 75 classroom or online hours from a state-approved real estate school before you can sit for the exam.

3/ 6

Pass the Illinois licensing exam

Sit the salesperson exam (PSI). It covers national real estate principles plus Illinois-specific law. Most candidates need a scaled score around 70–75% to pass.

4/ 6

Complete a background check / fingerprinting

Submit fingerprints and pass a criminal background check as required by the Illinois Dept. of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR).

5/ 6

Find a sponsoring broker

A new Illinois salesperson must hang their license with a licensed sponsoring broker before they can practice.

6/ 6

Submit your application & activate

File your license application and fees with the Illinois Dept. of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR), then activate under your broker to start representing clients.

Official source

Illinois Dept. of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR)

Visit →

A Illinois real estate license lets you represent buyers and sellers and earn commission on closed transactions. Once licensed, see what agents actually earn in Illinois agent salary, and explore the state's active markets below. Licensing rules change — always confirm the current requirements directly with the Illinois Dept. of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR).

Illinois markets
Chicago, IL real estate market→

Illinois licensing FAQs

How many hours of education do you need to get a real estate license in Illinois?
Illinois requires 75 hours of state-approved pre-license education before you can take the salesperson exam.
How much does a Illinois real estate license cost?
Budget roughly $825–$1,650 all-in for Illinois: pre-license coursework, the exam fee, background check and application/licensing fees. Exact fees are set by the Illinois Dept. of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR).
How long does it take to become a real estate agent in Illinois?
Most people finish the 75-hour Illinois coursework, pass the exam and activate in about 2–5 months, depending on study pace and scheduling.
Who regulates real estate agents in Illinois?
The Illinois Dept. of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR) issues licenses and sets the rules for Illinois real estate salespeople and brokers.
Pre-license hours and the regulating authority for Illinois are compiled from public state requirements and can change. Cost and timeline are estimates. Always verify current rules with the Illinois Dept. of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR) before enrolling.