When Is An Illinois Real Estate License Required?

Q.  When do I Need an Illinois real estate license?

A.  A person needs a real estate license if they provide assistance which is in any way intended to result in the sale or lease of real estate.  The definition of the word "broker" under the The Illinois Real Estate License Act provides 11 examples of the types of "assistance" that requires a real estate license.  Included are representing clients in the negotiation of real estate sales contracts or leases, and issuing advertising for the sale, purchase or lease of real estate.

The assistance must be provided for others. Accordingly, a person who buys sells or leases real estate as a "principal" does need a real estate license.

Compensation is required.  Therefore, a person who provides assistance on a real estate transaction to a friend or relative, without compensation, does not need a license. Illinois Real estate license requirements.

Posted By Mike Fair, Director
Illinois Acadmy of Real Estate

How To Obtain an Illinois Real Estate License

In Illinois, exams, licensing, and continuing education for real estate agents are governed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.  In order to obtain an Illinois real estate license,  an applicant must first pass a state exam and meet the procedures for real estate licensing outlined in the Real Estate License Act of 2000

Each applicant shall:

 Be at least 21 years of age, be of good moral character and have graduated from high school or obtained the equivalent of a high school degree.

The minimum age of 21 shall be waived for any person seeking a license as a real estate salesperson who has attained the age of 18 and can provide evidence of  successful completion of at least 4 semesters of post-secondary school study as a full time student or equivalent with major emphasis on real estate courses, at a school approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

All applicants for a real estate salesperson license must meet the following educational requirements:

Successfully complete a 45-class-hour Real Estate Transactions course at a real estate school approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation or;

Be admitted to practice law by the Illinois Supreme Court or;

Be a resident of another state that has a reciprocal agreement with Illinois and meets the requirements of reciprocity.  

All applicants for a real estate broker license must meet the following educational requirements:

Successfully complete at least 120 classroom hours, 45 of which shall be those hours required to obtain a salesperson license.  75 hours as approved by the Illinois Department of Professional and Financial Regulation as follows:

Mandatory Courses (45 hours)
Brokerage Administration (15 hours)
Contracts and Conveyances (15 hours)
Advanced Principles 2000 (15 hours)

Elective Courses (30 hours – any two listed below)
Real Estate Appraisal (15 hours)
Property Management (15 hours)
Financing (15 hours)
Sales and Brokerage (15 hours)
Farm Property Management (15 hours)
Real Property Insurance (15 hours)
Other approved electives (15 hours) Or;

Be admitted to practice law by the Illinois Supreme Court or;

Be a resident of another state that has a reciprocal agreement with Illinois and meets the requirements of reciprocity.

 Every person making application for an original license as a salesperson or broker must personally take and pass a written examination authorized by the Illinois Department of Professional and Financial Regulation.

Multistate Real Estate Licensing

Question:  Can I become a real estate agent in Illinois if I am a resident of another state? 

Answer:  There is no residency requirement for real estate licensing in Illinois, however the applicant must meet the requirements of the Illinois Real Estate License Act.  A real estate salesperson must be associated with an Illinois broker.

Upon meeting the requirements of the Act, an out of state resident could apply for an Illinois broker license. 

Question:  I have a real estate license in another state,  how do I get an Illinois license?

Answer:  The answer to the question depends upon the state and the type of license you hold.  If your state has reciprocity with Illinois, you may apply for a reciprocal license.   Reciprocity permits non-resident salespersons and brokers the right to do business in other states if they meet certain requirements. 

Illinois presently has reciproccol agreements with: Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

To obtain reciprocity, a licensee must pass the state portion of the licensing exam in a state, pay a licensing fee and apply to the state to have the license issued.  No pre-license education is required.

We have a study package available to help you prepare for the Illinois portion of the exam.

If your home state does not have a recipricol agreement with Illinois, you may apply for an Illinois license, however, however you must meet the requirements of the  Illinois Real Estate License Act.

  A real estate salesperson must be associated with an Illinois broker or you could apply for an Illinois broker license.