Real Estate Broker / Illinois
2026 data Illinois board official source

Illinois Real Estate Broker License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Manages real estate transactions and may employ real estate agents.

What the Illinois data shows for Real Estate Brokers

Illinois's path to real estate broker licensure runs through 253 hours of approved instruction, 2 years of supervised work experience, and a passing score on State Real Estate Broker Exam, plus a criminal history screening before applicants younger than 18 can be licensed. Illinois folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Broker Pre-License Coursework".

Budget $372 to get started, plus $303 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 16 hours of continuing education are due every 2-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

On reciprocity, real estate brokers should know: Reciprocal agreements vary significantly by state.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
35/100
Real Estate Broker · 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-
253 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$372
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$152/yr
$303 every 2 years
Continuing Education C+
8.0 hrs/yr
16 hours every 2 years
Experience Required F
2 years
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Illinois

Education / Training Hours
Broker Pre-License Coursework
253 hours
Exam Requirement
State Real Estate Broker Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$372
Renewal Fee
$303
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
16 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Work Experience Required
2 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Real Estate Broker 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 Broker in Illinois? ▼
Illinois requires 253 education/training hours, passing an exam (State Real Estate Broker Exam), and an initial fee of $372. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Real Estate Broker in Illinois? ▼
Illinois licenses real estate brokers who complete its requirements (253 education hours, 2 years of experience) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Illinois licensing board.
Can I transfer my Real Estate Broker license to Illinois from another state? ▼
Reciprocity for real estate brokers nationally works like this: Reciprocal agreements vary significantly by state. Beyond that baseline, interstate compacts exist for many professions and may smooth a transfer into Illinois. Verify the specifics with the Illinois licensing board.
Does Illinois require a background check for Real Estate Broker licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for real estate broker licensing in Illinois. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Real Estate Broker in Illinois? ▼
Illinois ties continued real estate broker licensure to 16 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $303 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this real estate broker license

Real Estate Broker in Illinois, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a real estate broker-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Illinois's real estate broker requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Real Estate Broker in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state real estate broker license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Illinois's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Illinois overview

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.