Chris is a writer, coach, speaker, and technology analyst specializing in marketing, lead generation, transactional best practices, and everything in between. See full bio
Are you considering a career change and wondering how to become a real estate agent in Illinois? There’s no time like the present to get started! Within six months, you could be launching a highly flexible new career with great earning potential as a real estate salesperson (known as a broker) in Illinois. The process is quite simple, and we’ll walk you through it, step by step.
How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Illinois
Before we discuss how to become a real estate agent in Illinois, it’s important to note that in Illinois, real estate agents are referred to as brokers. Meanwhile, brokers with additional experience and education who are qualified to oversee other brokers in Illinois are referred to as managing brokers.
To become a real estate broker in Illinois, you must be at least 18 years old, have a Social Security number or individual taxpayer identification number, and have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
1. Complete a 75-hour Prelicensing Course
Cost: $330-$600 Time Commitment: 1-2 months
As a real estate broker, you’re responsible for helping your clients with one of the most important financial decisions of their lives. In Illinois, you must complete a 75-hour prelicensing course to understand the complexities and legal matters pertaining to the sale of property.
See our “Choosing an Illinois Real Estate School” section for a complete list of topics covered in Illinois prelicensing courses. We highly recommend Real Estate Express because they’re affordable and highly rated.
You can save 25% on your Illinois real estate prelicensing courses with Real Estate Express when you use the promo code TheClose25 at checkout.
They’re our top pick on our list of the best Illinois real estate schools for several reasons. They’ve created successful online real estate education programs for dozens of states and they’re a trusted industry leader. Their courses are attractive, informative, and interactive.
Cost: $58 Time Commitment: 3.5 hours (arrive 30 minutes early)
Congratulations! You’ve finished your prelicensing course, and you’re ready to take the Illinois broker exam. You have two years to take the broker exam from the time you complete your prelicensing courses.
You’ll be able to schedule your broker license exam online through PSI Testing Service. You’ll have the choice of taking your broker exam at one of PSI’s 31 Illinois testing locations.
The broker exam is computer-based and consists of 100 national real estate questions and 40 state-related questions. You’ll receive your score report from the testing supervisor after completing the exam. You must pass both the national and state portions of the exam with a 75%.
Bring two valid forms of identification to the testing center and you can bring a non-programmable calculator with no alphabetic keyboard or printing capabilities into the exam room.
To prepare for your exam, consider purchasing quality exam prep material from an Illinois real estate school. Exam prep packages offer helpful tools like flashcards and simulated exams to help you study. We recommend checking out Real Estate Express. Many of their courses include practice exams, flashcards, and they even offer a pass guarantee.
In Illinois, beginning real estate brokers must work under a managing broker. A managing broker is someone who has worked successfully in the industry, taken 60 hours of additional training, and passed Illinois’ managing broker’s exam.
×
Want to Ace Your Brokerage Interview?
Land the job with our FREE guide.
This email address is invalid.
×
Want even more free resources? Tell us about you so we know what to send.
×
Ace Your Brokerage Interview with Our FREE Guide
×
Want even more free resources? Tell us about you so we know what to send.
The reward of commissioned sales is that if you work hard and provide excellent customer service to your clients, you can have amazing earning potential and build on your successes. Some people entering the profession choose to go part-time at first and maintain a steady salary in some other part-time pursuit.
You’ll need to create an account, fill out the application form, and pay the $125 fee. You’ll be notified via email when your application has been approved. While you wait, Illinois allows you to practice under the supervision of the managing broker for 45 days while your application is being processed.
How Much Does It Cost to Become a Real Estate Agent in Illinois?
It costs about $650 to get your Illinois real estate broker license. Some of the costs involved are fixed, including the application fee and exam fee. Some of these costs depend on the real estate school you choose to complete the required 75-hour prelicensing course.
(Illinois Real Estate Broker License Cost as of April 2022)
Save 25% on the cost of your prelicensing course through Real Estate Express when you use the coupon code TheClose25.
Illinois Real Estate Agent Compensation
Once you’ve decided which companies to reach out to, ask the managing broker about your split, or how you and the brokerage will divide the commissions you earn. Some brokerages will ask for a 50/50 split on commissions. Usually, managing brokers that offer an even split will not charge monthly desk fees.
Other real estate companies may allow you to keep between 70% and 100% of your commissions. However, those brokerages will often charge higher monthly desk fees. Some brokerages may offer you 70% of your commissions until you reach a cap, which means you’ll receive 100% of your commissions for the rest of the year after earning the pre-specified amount.
As a new real estate broker, finding the right balance between commissions and desk fees may be tricky. Keep in mind that real estate brokerages do not offer any payment to their agents, so these negotiations with the managing broker are essential. Negotiating a lower cap for yourself will mean you’ll be able to put more of your earned commissions into your own pocket.
Choosing an Illinois Real Estate School
Whether you live in Peoria, Springfield, Champaign-Urbana, or the Chicagoland area, you’ll have your choice of class formats. Your classes will cover the following topics:
License law
Real property
Structure of agency
Seller relationships and counseling
Buyer relationships and counseling
Illinois law
Federal laws
Marketing and advertising
Real estate transactions
Financing
Contract knowledge
Independent contractor and employee agreements
Property management
Many Illinois real estate schools also offer self-paced, online classes with slides, videos, and interactive content to help you learn the required material to pass the Illinois broker exam.
You should be able to find an Illinois real estate school that offers in-person classes that meet during regularly scheduled sessions. Livestream classes are scheduled classes that are broadcast over Zoom (or another video communication tool). Check out the pros and cons of all three to see which type of instruction is right for you.
Types of Instruction
Pros
Cons
In-person Classes
Traditional classroom setting
Get to know other students
Easy access to the instructor
More expensive than online classes
Commuting and traffic
Finding class times to fit your schedule
Livestream Classes
No commute
Ideal if you live far from in-person schools
You can ask instructors questions in real time
Finding classes to fit your schedule
No interaction with other students
Technology doesn’t always work as it should
Online Classes
Work at your own pace anywhere w/ internet
Take classes when convenient for you
Least expensive option
Instructors can only be accessed via email or phone
Little interaction with real estate pros
Technology doesn’t always work as it should
We recommend Real Estate Express as our top pick for best online real estate school in Illinois. They have a long-standing reputation for quality instruction so the material is easy to understand. You’ll also appreciate Real Estate Express’ competitive pricing and exam prep materials.
How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Illinois – FAQs
We’re sure you have plenty of questions about becoming an Illinois real estate agent. We’ve answered your questions below, and we welcome you to ask more in the comment section.
Am I eligible to get my Illinois real estate license?
You’re eligible to get your Illinois real estate license if you’re 18 years old or older, have a high school diploma, and possess good character. That means you must never have been convicted of a felony or other crime that has an essential element of dishonesty.
If you are 18 to 21 years old, you must show proof that you have attended at least four semesters of post-secondary education with an emphasis on courses in real estate.
What if I have a real estate license from another state?
If you’ve worked as a real estate agent or broker in another state, you may be able to apply for your Illinois real estate license by reciprocity. Illinois has reciprocity with the following states:
Colorado
Connecticut
Florida
Georgia
Indiana
Iowa
Nebraska
Wisconsin
If you received your license in one of those states, you need only take the state portion of the Illinois license exam, which consists of 40 questions. Then you’ll fill out your license application and start working as a broker in Illinois.
How long does it take to become a licensed real estate agent in Illinois?
It takes most people between three and six months to become a broker in Illinois. You can apply for a real estate license after completing your 75-hour prelicensing course and after you pass the Illinois license exam with a grade of 75% or higher.
The length of time depends on how long you need to complete the prelicensing coursework and study for the Illinois broker exam. We love Real Estate Express and their convenient self-paced online courses that can be done from the comfort of home.
Is the Illinois real estate exam hard?
With dedicated time to prepare and proper study habits, you can pass the Illinois real estate license exam. You must achieve a grade of 75% on both the state and national portions of the exam.
What should I bring when taking the exam?
Bring two valid forms of ID when you arrive at the testing facility. At least one needs to be a government-issued photo ID that includes your name and signature. The second form of ID must have your name and signature.
You may also bring a non-programmable calculator that has no alphabetic keyboard or printing capabilities. Finally, you’ll also need to provide biometric verification of your identity. This may include a fingerprint scan.
Can I get my Illinois real estate license online?
Yes – you can complete the majority of the Illinois real estate license requirements online. First, you can take your prelicensing course through an online real estate school. Save 25% off the cost of your prelicensing education through Real Estate Express when you use the coupon code TheClose25.
You’ll also be able to schedule your license exam online. However, you’ll need to complete your fingerprinting background check in-person, and you’ll take your Illinois broker license exam in person at a PSI testing center.
How long does the application approval take?
It only takes about 5 business days for your completed license application to be approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). Backlogs may cause processing delays, but llinois allows you to practice under a managing broker for 45 days while your application is being processed.
While you’re waiting, it’s a great time to set up some systems and social media platforms so you can hit the ground running once your license is ready. First, take some time to find a customer relationship management (CRM) tool to manage your real estate leads and clients. An affordable real estate tool that offers personalized email and texting capabilities, like LionDesk, is a good place to start.
You probably also want to start working on your website. Consider using a real estate website builder like iNCom to help you create a professional-looking website that will bring you more leads.
How much money do real estate agents in Illinois make?
In 2022, the average salary for a real estate agent in Illinois is $86,180 per year. You can check the most current average annual income in your city or town at Indeed.com.
Can I practice real estate part time?
Yes! Many real estate agents begin their careers by selling part-time, while others choose to work part-time to accommodate their other commitments. Sometimes, you may be hesitant to jump into the real estate game with both feet. To see if working in real estate part-time fits your lifestyle, check out our helpful guide.
What if I fail the Illinois real estate license exam?
Illinois gives you one year from your original testing date to retake and pass the parts you’ve failed. You can retake the exam up to four times. If you fail on the fourth attempt, you’ll be required to retake the prelicensing coursework before you can sit for the exam again.
What are the pros & cons of becoming a real estate agent?
For some, working as a commissioned salesperson means months of feasts and months of famine, which can be a stressful lifestyle to manage. It takes careful budgeting and financial awareness.
On the other hand, there are benefits to working as a commissioned real estate broker. You have a flexible schedule, even though you’ll be required to work many evenings and weekends. You also have the potential to earn a lot of money since both buyer’s and seller’s agents earn a commission on every property they help buy, sell, or lease.
Here’s what rock star Chicago broker, Brittany Wrenn, had to say:
Brittany Wrenn
“Real estate in Illinois is very cyclical, and sales volume tends to correlate closely with the weather. This can be especially difficult for new agents to navigate as it can cause extremely low sales volume in the beginning of your career during the ‘slow season.’ I would say that above all else, getting used to being on full-commission salary and having a block of time during the year with little to no sales was a huge source of stress for me.
“Even though I had already been in the real estate industry for roughly three years prior to getting my broker license and was familiar with the ebbs and flows of real estate in Chicago, the winter months were difficult to get used to.”
More Career Resources From The Close
We hope our helpful guide has made getting your Illinois real estate license manageable and that you feel energized to start your new career. We’re here to celebrate every milestone in your real estate career.
Chris is a writer, coach, speaker, and technology analyst specializing in marketing, lead generation, transactional best practices, and everything in between.
The Close has a policy of fierce editorial independence. We do not accept money, services, or products in exchange for positive reviews or product placement. Period. If you read about a product or service on this website, it’s because we genuinely think it’s great.
However, we do work with a select group of software companies and service providers that we feel provide real value for our readers. We have affiliate partnerships with these companies and make money when we feature their products on the site.
The reason these companies want to work with us is that they know our readers represent the most engaged, professional, and committed real estate agents online today.
×
Get 25% off your Illinois prelicensing & exam prep
[Limited Time Offer] Use code Theclose25 at checkout
