ILLINOIS REAL ESTATE: LICENSING
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Spring Into a New Career in Real Estate
Real Estate Institute has been the local Illinois real estate education leader for over 30 years. Our students consistently outperform other state exam candidates. Our reputation for highly-rated instructors and superior customer service explains why we have over 175,000 alumni nationwide.
Need help deciding which license type is right for you?
Residential Leasing Agent
We offer two programs with one goal. Ease of completion!
Both of our streamlined programs are designed to help you learn everything you need to pass the state exam and quickly get licensed.
Managing Broker
After holding an active Broker license (or out-of-state equivalent) for at least two years, you can complete additional education and upgrade to the Managing Broker license.
Unlike other schools, Real Estate Institute offers this specialized training on an ongoing basis so that you can start today!
Compare Illinois Real Estate License Types
| Leasing Agent | Broker | Managing Broker | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education & State Exam | |||
| Required Credit Hours | 15 | 75 | 45 |
| State exam style | 50 Questions Multiple Choice |
140 Questions Multiple Choice |
80 Questions Multiple Choice + 10 Scenario-Based Questions |
| State exam fee | $37 | $58 | $58 |
| License Features | |||
| Sell all property types | |||
| Lease residential property | |||
| Lease commercial property | |||
| Exchange all property types | |||
| Manage all property types | |||
| Supervision & Experience Requirements | |||
| Previous experience required | None | None | 2 Years as a Broker |
| Must be supervised by a Managing Broker | |||
| Work under your own supervision | |||
| Supervise other licensees | |||
| Manage a sales or management office | |||
| LEARN MORE | LEARN MORE | LEARN MORE | |
Find answers to our most commonly asked questions.
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
Is Real Estate Institute approved by the IDFPR as a pre-license school?
Yes. Real Estate Institute is approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Education Provider #515.000001. We offer courses that are required as prerequisites for the Leasing Agent, Broker, and Managing Broker licensing examinations.
What makes your school different from the others?
Our quality programs, dedicated and knowledgeable instructors, and outstanding service set our school apart. When you successfully complete our course, you will have all the knowledge you need to pass the state examination. Quizzes for each homework lesson allow students to see how they are doing as they progress through the course. Along with the reinforcing tools included with our programs, qualified instructors are available to provide additional assistance.
Real Estate Institute offers students all these additional resources for one simple reason: we want you to pass the state examination!
What's the best way to determine which real estate license I should consider?
We recommend that you review our license comparison. We have designed well organized, high quality programs for each Illinois real estate license type. Please see additional FAQs for each license type.
Does your school offer financial aid or can I pay the course tuition over time?
We have partnered with Affirm, who offers financing options that enable our students to enroll today and pay later. This extends our traditional payment options, such as credit/debit cards and cash.
Click here to learn more.
Is Real Estate Institute owned by a real estate brokerage company?
No. We are an independent school, licensed and approved by the State, as is our coursework. We are not here to recruit you into the real estate business. We are here to help students obtain or meet their real estate education requirements.
Must I be a citizen of the United States or Illinois to hold a Real Estate License in Illinois?
No. To hold an Illinois real estate license, the state requires that you meet the age and education requirements, have a Social security number, and be of good moral character.
Where can I find more information about Illinois real estate licensing?
You will find a wealth of information throughout our website and frequently asked questions. Additional information may be available directly at Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation's website.
Does Illinois offer license reciprocity with any other states?
Illinois offers reciprocity if you are already licensed in some other states. Please view these details at the IDFPR website and contact the IDFPR to discuss your specific licensing requirements. IDFPR-approved coursework and examinations may still be required for you to earn a license in Illinois.