Real Estate Agent / Salesperson / Illinois
2026 data Illinois board official source

Illinois Real Estate Agent / Salesperson License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

State-board requirements, fees, and renewal cycle drawn from official regulator records.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Assists clients in buying, selling, and renting properties.

What the Illinois data shows for Real Estate Agent / Salespersons

To practice as a real estate agent / salesperson in Illinois, the state licensing board requires 169 documented education or training hours, a passing score on State Real Estate Salesperson Exam. A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The regulation sits under Illinois's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Pre-License Coursework".

Upfront cost is $150, with renewal running $100 on a 2-year cycle. Expect roughly 4 weeks of processing once a complete application is submitted. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 12 hours of continuing education are due every 2-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

On reciprocity, real estate agent / salespersons should know: Reciprocal agreements vary significantly by state.

Licensing Ease Score

C-
Licensing Ease Score
52/100
Real Estate Agent / Salesperson · Illinois

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training B-
169 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$278
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$114/yr
$228 every 2 years
Continuing Education B-
6.0 hrs/yr
12 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Illinois

Education / Training Hours
Pre-License Coursework
169 hours
Exam Requirement
State Real Estate Salesperson Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$278
Renewal Fee
$228
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Processing Time
After complete application submitted
4 wks
Continuing Education
12 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Compare fees across all states for Real Estate Agent / Salesperson →

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Real Estate Agent / Salesperson All Illinois licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Illinois licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Real Estate Agent / Salesperson in Illinois? ▼
Illinois requires 169 education/training hours, passing an exam (State Real Estate Salesperson Exam), and an initial fee of $278. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Real Estate Agent / Salesperson in Illinois? ▼
Certification as a real estate agent / salesperson in Illinois means clearing the state's checklist: 169 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Illinois licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Real Estate Agent / Salesperson license to Illinois from another state? ▼
For real estate agent / salespersons, the reciprocity landscape looks like this: Reciprocal agreements vary significantly by state. Many professions are also covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability between states. Contact the Illinois licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Illinois require a background check for Real Estate Agent / Salesperson licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for real estate agent / salesperson licensing in Illinois. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Real Estate Agent / Salesperson in Illinois? ▼
Illinois ties continued real estate agent / salesperson licensure to 12 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $228 renewal fee.
How much does it cost to get a Real Estate Agent / Salesperson license in Illinois? ▼
The initial licensing fee in Illinois is $150. The renewal fee is $100 every 2 years. Processing typically takes 4 weeks after submitting your complete application.
How long does Real Estate Agent / Salesperson license processing take in Illinois? ▼
In Illinois, license processing for real estate agent / salespersons typically takes approximately 4 weeks after your complete application is submitted. Processing times may vary based on application volume and completeness of documentation.

Related Guides

What to do with this real estate agent / salesperson license

Real Estate Agent / Salesperson in Illinois, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a real estate agent / salesperson-wide, 50-state comparison.

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Illinois licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.