Illinois State Requirements

Division of Real Estate

320 West Washington 3rd Floor
Springfield, IL 62786
Phone: 888.473.4858
Website: https://idfpr.illinois.gov/dre.html
Email: FPR.RealEstate@illinois.gov

Residential Leasing Agent Education Requirements

  • Provide proof of age. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older
  • Provide proof of high school diploma or equivalent
  • Complete 15 hours of education relating to the leasing of residential real property
  • Pass State exam
  • Submit application and pay fee

Broker’s Prelicense Requirements

  • Provide proof of age. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older
  • Provide proof of high school diploma or equivalent
  • Provide proof of one of the following:
    • Documentation from the Supreme Court of Illinois stating the applicant is able to practice law; or
    • must complete 75 hours of education with 15 hours consisting of situation and case studies. 
  • Take and pass the Illinois Real Estate License Exam with a 75% or better. https://idfpr.illinois.gov/profs/realest.html

Managing Broker Prelicense Requirements

  • Provide proof of age of at least 20 years old
  • Provide proof of a high school diploma or equivalent
  • Must have been licensed at least 2 years consecutively out of the preceding 3 years as a broker
  • Proof of one of the following:
    • Proof of completion of at least 165 hours of education
      • 120 hours from obtaining broker license
      • 45 hours of Managing Broker Pre-License Education
    • Documentation from the Supreme Court of Illinois stating that applicant able to practice law;

Effective 6/12/24 candidates will not require preapproval to schedule exams. Go to https://test-takers.psiexams.com/ilrep to schedule. Students will be required to enter the course completion date and upload a copy of the course certificate.

Broker Post-Licensing Requirements

  • All newly licensed brokers must complete 45 hours of Post-Licensing Education including:
    • Applied Brokerage Principles (15 Hours)
    • Transactional Issues (15 hours)
    • Risk Management/Discipline (15 hours)*

      *Note: This course contains 1 hour of Sexual Harassment Prevention Training  

Residential Leasing Agent Continuing Education Requirements

  • Renewal periods are every 2 years
  • Licensees must complete 8 hours of education to include curriculum on the following:
    • Fair housing and human rights issues related to residential leasing
    • Advertising and marketing
    • Leases
    • Applications
    • Credit reports
    • Criminal history
    • Handling of funds
    • Owner-tenant relationships and laws
    • Environmental issues relating to residential real estate

Broker Continuing Education Requirements

  • By April 30 of even-numbered years, brokers must complete 12 hours of continuing education
    • Effective for renewal cycle ending April 30, 2026, six hours must be core curriculum 
    • Six hours can be electives    

Managing Broker Continuing Education Requirements

  • By April 30 of odd-numbered years, managing brokers must complete:
    • 12 hours of continuing education
      • Effective for renewal cycle ending April 30, 2027,   six hours must be core curriculum 
      • Six hours can be electives
    • 12 hours of broker management continuing education

Exam Provider Information in Illinois