BROKER CE: MAINTAIN YOUR LICENSE
Education tailored to fit your schedule!
Real Estate Institute is pleased to offer continuing education specifically for Illinois real estate brokers. It's no surprise why our students come back year after year. With a rating of 4.8 out of 5 on Trustpilot, our students trust us to provide the following:
- IDFPR approved programs
- Easy-to-understand courses
- Interesting and relevant content
- Exceptional customer service
Choose a 12-Hour Broker CE Package:
- Study online - no textbooks or classes
- Short, interactive modules with knowledge checks
- The system tracks your progress
- Includes Sexual Harassment Prevention training
- Includes REALTOR® Code of Ethics training
- No final exam
.png?sfvrsn=32c0ae4f_4)
- Live, instructor-led training
- Choose a convenient classroom location throughout the Chicago area
- Attend webinars from anywhere
- Includes Sexual Harassment Prevention training
- Includes REALTOR® Code of Ethics training
- No final exam
.png?sfvrsn=7e0894e5_12)
Real Estate Broker Continuing Education Made Easy
We know what you need and how to keep it simple. As a busy real estate agent, we understand that you have career goals, and we are here to help you achieve them.
Here's why you should choose us:
- Updated and timely course content
- Format options to fit your learning style
- 30 years of providing professional education
- Exceptionally trained and caring student services team
Illinois Broker CE Requirements:
- 12 credit hours of core and elective CE, consisting of:
- 4-Hour Core
- 8-Hour Elective, including Sexual Harassment Prevention training
- Brokers renew every two years by April 30 (in even years).
- Brokers must complete their entire CE requirement before renewing their licenses.
Exceptions: Brokers renewing for the first time require Post-License Education instead of CE. Active Illinois Attorneys are not required to complete CE but must renew their license with IDFPR.
Determine Your Requirement
Not sure if this program is right for you?
Use our Virtual Assistant or call us.
Broker Continuing Education Blogs
Stay up-to-date or learn something new. Read some of our blogs:
Here's what our students are saying...
Find answers to our most commonly asked question. If you need further assistance, please contact us.
Broker License Renewal Fact Sheet
Source: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Illinois Real Estate License Act of 2000 (Administrative Rules)
Source: Illinois General Assembly
Illinois Real Estate License Act of 2000 (Law)
Source: Illinois General Assembly
Are Real Estate Institute's courses approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)?
Yes. Real Estate Institute offers continuing education programs that are approved by the IDFPR and have been specifically designed to satisfy license renewal requirements.
Will the school report my credit to the IDFPR upon successful completion of my course(s)?
Yes. Real Estate Institute reports all successful course completions to the appropriate regulatory authority. We report electronically (when permitted) to ensure timely and accurate reporting.
What is the school's refund policy?
School policies, including our refund policy can be viewed here.
Are Brokers required to complete continuing education?
Yes. Brokers licensed by the IDFPR are required to complete continuing education during each renewal period.
NOTE: During the current renewal period, some licensees may be exempt from the continuing education requirement. For example, Brokers renewing for the first time do not require continuing education. Instead, they must complete Post-Licence education. Click here for more information.
How many hours do I need to renew my Broker license?
Brokers not in their first renewal must complete the following:
- 4 Hours: Core - May only be completed live or online, not self-study
- 8 Hours: Electives - Must include at least 1 hour of Sexual Harassment Prevention training.
Brokers in their first renewal must complete Post-License education. In addition, they must also complete at least 1 hour of Sexual Harassment Prevention training.
I just became licensed; do I need continuing education?
Brokers renewing for the first time do not need to complete continuing education before renewing their license. Instead, they are required to complete 45 hours of Post-License education before their first license renewal.
By what date are Brokers required to complete the continuing education requirement?
Continuing education must be completed before license renewal. Brokers renew every two years by April 30th (in even years).
I'm not active in Real Estate; do I have to take continuing education?
Yes. To renew your license you must satisfy your continuing education prior to renewal. Although you may be inactive in the real estate business, you are not exempt from the requirement (if you intend to renew your license).
Do I need to complete a Sexual Harassment Prevention course?
Yes, 1 hour of Sexual Harassment Prevention training is required to be completed during each license renewal period. This course must be completed live or online. Self-study is not permitted.
This requirement is included in both Real Estate Institute's 12 hour CE packages.
How many package options do you have to satisfy the 12-hour Broker CE requirement?
We offer two convenient package options:
- All Online package. It includes all 12 hours of Core & Elective via online distance education. Complete your education from anywhere at any time. No final exam is required for these courses.
- All Live package. It includes all 12 hours of Core & Elective via class or webinar. Mix and match dates to fit your schedule. No final exam is required for these courses.
What is online distance education?
Online distance education courses are presented strictly in an online format. Instead of defining your own course of study, you will complete the course in the sequence specified by the school and your progress will be tracked along the way. The course material is divided into sections or modules of instruction, which are followed by knowledge checks that help ensure you retain and understand the course subject matter.
Do you have a list of programs I can choose from?
Although we offer individual continuing education courses, we strongly recommend that you choose one of the discounted packages that are designed to satisfy your entire CE requirement.
Our discounted packages include the new mandatory 4 hour Core course, the new Sexual Harassment Prevention requirement and the remaining elective topics that are all approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).
Will I receive any printed course materials if I enroll in an online distance education course?
No, online distance education courses are presented strictly in an online format. No printed materials are required or included.
Does REI still offer a complete self-study option for Brokers to renew their license?
Unfortunately, due to the regulatory changes that went into effect on July 1st, 2019, Brokers can no longer complete their entire 12 hour requirement self-study.
However, we still pride ourselves on offering the simplest and most convenient online and live CE options. Click here to review our current Broker CE packages.
How do I know when I can renew my license with IDFPR?
Active Broker licensees may renew their license if...
- you have completed your total education requirement and
- you have received the corresponding Certificates of Completion for ALL of those courses.
- It's important to review the certificate(s) to ensure that your name, your Real Estate license number and course completion(s) appear correctly. If not, please contact our school.
- It's important to review the certificate(s) to ensure that your name, your Real Estate license number and course completion(s) appear correctly. If not, please contact our school.
The IDFPR renewal window usually opens approximately 90 days before the renewal deadline.
Note: If you renew your license before the school records and confirms your completions, you may later be subject to IDFPR fines and/or disciplinary action.
You do not need to wait for the school to report your completions to IDFPR to renew.
Why hasn't my education been reported to IDFPR?
We electronically submit a record of your course completion(s) to the IDFPR at the end of every week.
You need not wait for us to submit your completions to IDFPR to renew your license.
If you are an active Broker, you may renew your license if...
- You have completed your total CE requirement, and...
- You have received the corresponding Certificates of Completion for ALL of those courses.
- It's important to review the certificate(s) to ensure that your name, real estate license number, and course completion(s) appear correctly. If not, please contact our school.
The IDFPR renewal window usually opens approximately 90 days before the renewal deadline.
Note: If you renew your license before the school records and confirms your completions, you may later be subject to IDFPR fines and/or disciplinary action.
What happens if a Broker forgets to complete the continuing education requirement and renew the license? Can it be completed late?
Yes, the State of Illinois permits late completion of your continuing education requirement (in conjunction with a late renewal of your license). Just let us know that you're completing "late CE". We'll report your completion to the IDFPR and also provide an embossed copy of your Certificate of Completion that you should include with your late license renewal paperwork and fees (which will be sent to the IDFPR for processing).
What is the school's refund policy?
School policies, including our refund policy can be viewed here.
I am currently licensed in another state and applied for my Illinois license using the Illinois Reciprocity Application. Do I need to comply with Illinois' continuing education requirement (or only my home state's requirement)?
All Illinois licensees must complete the Illinois continuing education requirement during each two-year license renewal period.
Are any Broker licensees exempt from completing the continuing education requirements?
There are some cases in which a licensee may not be required to complete the full continuing education requirement.
- Broker licensees who are renewing for the first time must complete a 45 credit-hour post-license program, rather than continuing education. Post-license education replaces CE during your first renewal and is a follow-up requirement to your pre-license coursework.
- All attorneys who are currently registered to practice in Illinois are exempt from the continuing education requirement
Are Attorneys exempt from Real Estate education?
All attorneys who are currently registered to practice law in Illinois are exempt from all real estate education requirements, but must submit the required renewal fee and application to the IDFPR. Attorneys are also exempt from completing the new Sexual Harassment Prevention course.