Get License in Illinois
About Online Self-Paced
Choose Your Package
The Basics
- 75-Hour Pre-License Course
- 3 Real Estate Study Guides
- Accessible Narrated Audio with Adjustable Speeds
Ultimate Learning
- 75-Hour Pre-License Course
- 3 Real Estate Study Guides
- CompuCram Exam Prep
- Live & Interactive Instruction
- Career Booster Pack (1-year access)
Your Path to Becoming a Licensed Agent
Follow these 5 simple steps to start your real estate career in Illinois
Prerequisites:
Be at least 18 years of age. Hold a high school diploma or its equivalent..
Complete 75 hours of approved Pre-Licensing education
Successfully complete an approved 75 clock-hour Pre-Licensing course with 60 hours of Pre-Licensing education and 15 mandatory interactive hours. Learn more about your package options here.
Pass the course final exam.
After you complete all the course materials, meet the minimum time requirement, and pass the practice exam, you must pass a course final exam. The minimum passing score is 75%.
Pass the Illinois Real Estate Broker Examination
You will have 3.5 hours to take this 140-question test comprised of two portions, covering both state and national requirements. For more information, see the PSI Candidate Handbook. Beginning Friday, October 15, 2021 - PSI will be launching the option of remote proctoring for IL licensing candidates. Blackout Days will begin Thursday, October 14th, 2021 through October 16th, 2021. Beginning Saturday, October 16th, 2021 - Students will be able to take remote proctored exams. You can schedule an exam through the PSI exam site. PSI has a dedicated number for Illinois candidates with scheduling or any other issues on their exam - (855) 340-3893.
Select a sponsoring broker
To be licensed, you must first be associated with a current and active Illinois sponsoring broker. It's important to find the right broker to work with since this person will serve as your mentor as you start your new career in real estate. Here are some questions to consider during your search: What is their reputation, both locally and nationally? What kind of real estate agents are they looking for? Are they technologically advanced and up-to-date with the latest systems? How do they support their agents with education and training? What kind of commission structure do they offer? Do they offer benefits? Do they provide their agents with leads and marketing material? Is there room to grow with the brokerage?
Meet Our Expert Instructors
Learn from licensed brokers and educators who have trained thousands of real estate professionals since 1982.
Joseph F. Gobbett, Jr.
Licensed Broker, GRI
50+ YearsStarted his real estate career in Maryland in 1971. Training director, branch sales manager, and broker in charge of Rescom Realtors.
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Mark Davis-Cote
Licensed Broker, SFR
13+ YearsBA from URI, MBA from Webster University. Licensed salesperson since 2011, broker since 2016, SFR certified.
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Amanda Farnum
Licensed Real Estate Broker
17+ YearsAward-winning agent with experience across residential, commercial, foreclosures, and investments.
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Dale Clift
Real Estate Instructor
40+ YearsPassionate about real estate from age 20. Made it his goal to teach, train, and coach professionals across South Carolina.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about our real estate courses
Can I take both online and livestream courses?
Each Illinois pre-licensing class must be completed in the format it was started to receive credit.
How long does it take to become a real estate agent in Illinois?
Timing depends on how quickly you complete the 75 hours of required education, schedule and pass the PSI examination, secure sponsorship if you want an Active license, and submit a complete IDFPR application. Illinois pre-license education is valid for two years, and you must apply for licensure within one year after receiving a passing exam score.
Can you take the Illinois real estate exam without classes?
No. For the standard first-time broker path, you must complete 75 hours of IDFPR-approved pre-license education before you are eligible for the broker examination. Illinois attorneys admitted to practice by the Illinois Supreme Court qualify under a separate examination pathway.
What is the duration of the real estate course in Illinois?
First-time Illinois broker applicants complete 75 class hours of approved pre-license education: 60 hours of Broker Pre-License Topics and 15 hours of Broker Pre-License Applied Real Estate Principles-Interactive.
Is a part-time real estate career realistic in Illinois?
Yes. Many agents start part-time while balancing other work. Weekly hours, deal counts, and income vary, but self-paced online courses make it easier to study around your schedule.
What are the steps to get a real estate license in Illinois?
1. Meet the Illinois broker eligibility requirements 2. Complete 75 hours of approved pre-license education 3. Pass the required pre-license course final exam 4. Register with PSI and pass the Illinois broker examination 5. Choose a sponsoring broker for an Active license 6. Apply through the IDFPR Online Services Portal
Do I need a college degree to get an Illinois real estate broker license?
No. A college degree is not required for the standard first-time broker path. Illinois requires applicants to be at least 18 years old and have graduated from high school or earned an equivalent credential such as a GED.
What is on the Illinois real estate broker exam?
The current PSI broker exam has a 100-question national portion and a 40-question Illinois portion. Candidates receive 150 minutes for the national portion and 90 minutes for the state portion. The passing standard is 70% on the national portion and 75% on the Illinois portion. PSI may also include a small number of unscored experimental questions.
This course is offered in affiliation with Colibri Real Estate.