Real estate license requirements in Illinois
Illinois has no salesperson license at all — the entry-level license is called “Broker” outright, requires 75 hours of pre-licensing education, and, as of January 1, 2026, opens to any out-of-state broker through universal Licensure-by-Endorsement.
Education
Illinois requires 75 hours of pre-licensing education, split between two required courses. An older “90 hours” figure still circulates from Illinois’s prior education vendor, but it’s stale — 75 is current.
| Course | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Broker Pre-License Topics | 60 | Core curriculum |
| Applied Principles – Interactive | 15 | Interactive/applied component |
| Total | 75 |
What Illinois calls your first license
Illinois has no “salesperson” tier at all. The entry-level license itself is called a “Broker” — that’s not a typo, and it’s not the same thing as “Managing Broker,” which is a separate, higher supervisory license requiring more experience. If you’re new to real estate in Illinois, the license you’re working toward is a Broker license, full stop.
The licensing exam
Illinois contracts with PSI. The Broker exam costs $58 (Managing Broker is also $58; the separate Residential Leasing Agent exam is $37, but that’s a different license entirely).
| Portion | Items | To pass |
|---|---|---|
| National | 100 items / 150 minutes | 70% |
| State | 40 items / 90 minutes | 75% |
Managing Broker candidates take a different, state-only exam (50 items / 90 minutes / 75%) — again, that’s a separate, higher-tier license, not something a first-time applicant needs to worry about.
As of January 1, 2026, Illinois replaced its old state-by-state reciprocity list with a single universal pathway: any actively-licensed broker from another state can qualify via a 30-hour Illinois-specific Endorsement Course plus an Illinois-specific law exam, instead of repeating the full 75-hour curriculum.
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| Exam fee | $58 | PSI (Broker exam) |
| Application & license fee | $150 initial | IDFPR (current since 1/1/2024; applies to both by-exam and by-endorsement routes) |
| Background check | None | Illinois does not require one for broker licensure |
The $150 initial Broker fee applies whether you’re licensing by exam or by endorsement. If you’re pursuing Managing Broker status later, that’s a separate $175 initial fee.
How to apply, step by step
The steps can overlap in places, but this is the order that avoids the most common delays.
60-hour Broker Pre-License Topics plus 15-hour Applied Principles-Interactive.
National and Illinois state portions, $58.
No background check is required.
Required to activate your Broker license.
Illinois's entry-level license — there is no lower "salesperson" tier.
Due before your first license renewal.
After you’re licensed: staying current
Illinois requires 45 hours of post-license education, split into three 15-hour courses, each capped with a 50-question exam, due before your first license renewal.
| Course | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Brokerage Principles | 15 | Includes a 50-question exam |
| Risk Management & Discipline | 15 | Includes a 50-question exam |
| Transactional Issues | 15 | Includes a 50-question exam |
| Total | 45 | Due before your first license renewal |
Reciprocity
As of January 1, 2026, Illinois replaced its old state-by-state reciprocity list with universal Licensure-by-Endorsement: any actively-licensed broker from another state can qualify by completing a 30-hour Illinois-specific Endorsement Course plus an Illinois-specific law exam, instead of the full 75-hour prelicensing curriculum.
Common questions
Does Illinois have a "salesperson" license?
No. Illinois has no salesperson tier at all — the entry-level license is itself called “Broker.” “Managing Broker” is a separate, higher-level license, not the next step up from a regular license everyone starts with.
Do I need a background check to get licensed in Illinois?
No. Illinois confirmed, via a full rule review, that there’s no fingerprint or background-check line item in the current rule — licensure relies on self-disclosure only.
What's the fastest path if I'm already licensed in another state?
Since January 1, 2026, Illinois offers universal Licensure-by-Endorsement: a 30-hour Illinois-specific Endorsement Course plus an Illinois-specific law exam, instead of the full 75-hour curriculum.
Is there post-licensing education after I get my Broker license?
Yes — 45 hours across three 15-hour courses (each with its own 50-question exam), due before your first license renewal.
What's the difference between Broker and Managing Broker?
Broker is Illinois’s entry-level license. Managing Broker is a separate, higher-level license with its own $175 initial fee and its own state-only exam (50 items / 90 minutes / 75%) — it’s not something you’re automatically working toward as a new licensee.
Next step
Illinois Dept. of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Real Estate — https://idfpr.illinois.gov/profs/realest.html
Compare the real estate prep courses we've reviewed, with current pricing.
See the best real estate courses