Illinois Real Estate Agent / Salesperson License Requirements

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 the State Real Estate Salesperson Exam examination. 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 training 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. Maintaining the license requires 12 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

Reciprocity is available: Reciprocal agreements vary significantly by state. Compared to the profession-wide pattern, the numbers above should be cross-checked against other states before relocating — licensing cost, training hours, and exam requirements vary enough that a different state may cut thousands of dollars and months of training from the path. The state board, not this page, is the final authority; verify every field below with the official regulator before you pay fees or enroll in training.