Career in Real Estate

How do I get my real estate broker license?

To obtain a real estate broker license for the state of Illinois, you must:

1. be at least 21 years old
2. successfully complete the pre-license 45-hour basic transactions course
3. successfully complete 75 class hours of broker courses at a real estate school approved by the Ill. Dept. of Financial and Professional Regulation
4. pass the state of Illinois exam

About the Real Estate Transaction Course

To qualify for a broker license, you must complete the pre-license 45-hour basic transactions course for all salespersons and those going on to get the broker training and license. Get more information on the pre-license course.

About the 75 hours required for brokers

The required 75 class hours of broker courses must be completed at real estate school approved by the Ill. Dept. of Financial and Professional Regulation in the following manner:

Mandatory Course (45 hours)
Brokerage Administration
Contracts and Conveyances
Advanced Principles 2000

Elective Courses (30 hours - any two listed)
Real Estate Appraisal
Property Management
Financing
Sales and Brokerage
Farm Property Management
Real Property Insurance
Other approved elective

What if I have my salesperson license?

If you already have hold a valid Illinois real estate salesperson license, you must complete the 75 hours of broker courses (as detailed above) at a real estate school approved by the Ill. Dept. of Financial and Professional Regulation and pass the state of Illinois exam.

IAR broker course options

Courses are available in the classroom, online or by home study. Classroom pre-license courses are approximately $145-165 for each 15-hour module. To earn your broker license, check the pre-license broker course calendar for dates and locations. To maintain your broker license, check the continuing education calendar for the broker management continuing education course.

If you prefer online home study, classes are available from:

• IAR Online Prelicense Broker Courses
  (Requires Java)

The Illinois Association of REALTORS® also offers a home study option for broker prelicensing classes. This self-study program gives a student the flexibility to study at home or the office at his or her own pace. An outline is designed to guide students through the complete 75-hour program. You have nine months to complete the courses and are required to take a test for each of the five modules. The IAR Broker Home Study prelicense courses can be ordered from the IAR REALTOR Store.

• Members log on to Members Only to visit the Online REALTOR Store for convenient online ordering and current pricing.
• Non-members can order online at the IAR Prelicense Store.

Who is exempt from the coursework?

Those exempt from prelicense education are 1) persons who are Illinois licensed attorneys and 2) persons who qualify based on reciprocity with another state -- check with Ill. Dept. of Financial and Professional Regulation for an updated list of reciprocal states.

Attorneys admitted to practice law by the Illinois Supreme Court are also exempt from taking the coursework. A photocopy of your current Illinois attorney registration pocket card certificate and consent to audit form must be included in the examination registration submitted.

Candidates applying for licensure on the basis of reciprocity need only take the Illinois State Supplemental examination. Documentation required is the certification from each state of licensure.

Taking the prelicense exam

As you prepare for the Illinois Real Estate Broker examination, it is wise to read Candidate Handbook: Illinois Real Estate Examination Program, a step-by-step guide published by AMP, Inc. the state of Illinois' authorized administrator for its real estate exams. The guide is available to download, free-of-charge. You can also reach AMP by calling 1-800-345-6559 or info@goAMP.com.

The guide provides detailed requirements for registering for the exam, how to schedule an exam appointment as well as a detailed outline of the contents of the text, sample exam questions, rules for the examination, as well as what happens after the exam.

Proctored testing is available at 12 AMP Assessment Center located throughout the state. The exam is administered by appointment only Monday through Friday at 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Saturday testing will also be available in the Chicago area, Springfield and St. Louis. You will have 3½ hours to complete the exam.

What if I fail the exam?

Candidates are allowed up to three attempts to pass the examination. After the third attempt, you are required to retake the 75-hour broker pre-license.

Last step, obtaining your official salesperson license

After you pass the Illinois Real Estate exam you can apply for your broker license from the Ill. Dept. of Financial and Professional Regulation, 217/782-3414.

What about continuing education?

Real estate salespersons and brokers are required by the state of Illinois to take 12 hours of approved continuing education every two years. Get more details about continuing education requirements.

Broker Management additional continuing education

Recent changes in the Illinois Real Estate License Act of 2000 require a six-hour course for the continuing education of Illinois real estate brokers who have already earned their broker license. This course is intended to provide the knowledge and tools necessary to be an effective real estate broker in the state of Illinois. The Broker Management Continuing Education course is a six-hour, classroom, continuing education course delivered through a combination of lecture, discussion, simulations, and small group formats. A proficiency exam may be available at secure locations throughout the state.

Do I have to renew my license every year?

Real estate licensees are required to apply for a license renewal every two years from the Ill. Dept. of Financial and Professional Regulation.