Illinois Real Estate Commission Guide

Illinois Real Estate Commission

Your Resource Hub as a Real Estate Leasing Agent or Broker in Illinois

We know how challenging it can be to navigate complex departmental and commission websites, so we’ve created this guide to help real estate professionals in Illinois access documents and get their questions answered. Whether you’re looking for an application or need to know how to contact the Division, this guide has you covered.

Basic Illinois Division of Real Estate (DRE) information.

Chicago Location:

555 West Monroe Street, 5th Floor
Chicago, IL 60661

Springfield Location:

320 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor
Springfield, IL 62786

DRE Hours:

Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM

Licensing Counter Hours

Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 4:30 PM

Phone Number

888.473.4858

Monday – Friday, from 8 AM – 5PM

Email

You can contact the Division by email at fpr.realestate@illinois.gov

Files, Applications & Important Documents

We’ve compiled a list of some of the most common forms and resources you’ll need to get licensed and maintain your license in Illinois. If you can’t find what you’re looking for below, check out the Illinois Division of Real Estate website. A few documents can only be found inside the Division’s real estate portal, where licensees apply for licensing and manage their accounts.

Form Title	Form Description
eLicense Online Portal	The eLicense portal is where you’ll submit your applications, submit your CE, renew your license, and upload any necessary documents.
Managing Broker Renewal Application	The Managing Broker Renewal application is used for renewing your license.
File a Complaint	File a complaint against an Illinois licensed professional or institution.
Online License Renewal	Renew your license and update your contact information here.
CE Look Up	Verify your continuing education credits for the renewal period.
License Lookup	Search and verify all Illinois real estate professionals, including yourself.
Contact Information for DRE Divisions	Learn about the professions the DRE oversees, and how to contact the appropriate division.
Real Estate Broker Instructions	Read about general instructions for real estate brokers.
Approved Pre-License & Post-License Education Providers	Here is a list of approved pre-license and post-license education providers.
Approved Post-Licensing Courses	Here is a list of approved post-licensing courses.
Approved CE Education Providers	Read through all of the approved CE education providers in the state of Illinois.
Approved CE Courses	Wondering if your CE course is approved in IL? Here is an official list of approved courses.
Real Estate Exam Candidate Bulletin	The Real Estate exam Candidate Bulletin answers all of your general questions about the licensing exam, from exam fees to example questions.
DRE Application Withdrawal	If you’d like to withdraw your real estate license, use this application.
Restoration Application for Broking Manager/Broker/Leasing Agent	If you want to reactivate your license, use this form. Your license must have expired in excess of two years but less than five years.
Online PSI Broker’s Examination	Here is the link to schedule your broker’s exam through PSI.
Online PSI Leasing Agent Examination	Schedule your leasing agent examination here.
Managing Broker to Broker Exchange Application	If you’d like to be a broker instead of a managing broker, use this form. A managing broker license may be exchanged to a broker license only if the managing broker license is eligible for renewal.
Real Estate Sponsor Card	To change your sponsoring broker, submit this completed form along with a $25 check or money order made payable to IDFPR. If you are a managing broker and wish to self-sponsor, you must complete the Sponsor Card on your own behalf.
Address Change Form	Changed your address recently? Update your information using the Address Change Form.
Reciprocity Application	If you wish to transfer your real estate license from another state to Illinois, submit the Reciprocity Application.
List of Reciprocity States	Here is a list of states that Illinois has reciprocity with.
2024 CE Fact Sheet- Residential Leasing Agent	The 2024 CE Fact Sheet contains the curriculum for your continuing education as a residential leasing agent.
Request for Out-of-State CE Approval	Request out-of-state CE credit approval with this form.
Residential Leasing Agent 8-Hour Core CE Curriculum	Here are the CE curriculum requirements for residential leasing agents.
Broker 75-Hour Pre-License Curriculum	Read about the 75-hour pre-licensing educational requirements that will be covered in your courses.
Broker 45-Hour Post-License Curriculum	Here are all of the educational requirements that must be a part of your broker 45-hour post-licensing course.
Managing Broker 45-Hour Pre-License Curriculum	Your 45-hour managing broker pre-license course must contain all of the educational requirements outlined in this curriculum.
Leasing Agent 15-Hour Pre-License Course	Read about the qualifications you’ll need to become a leasing agent.
4-Hour Core Continuing Education (CE) Curriculum	The 4-Hour Core Continuing Education Curriculum outlines all of the educational requirements your 4-hour core CE should contain.
Broker Management CE Course Curriculum	Read about your CE curriculum requirements for managing brokers.
12-Hour Broker Management Continuing Education	This form is for managing brokers submitting their completed CE requirements.
Continuing Education Lookup	You can use this tool to identify if a real estate agent has completed their CE, and to ensure you’ve submitted your own CE credits correctly.
2024 CE Fact Sheet - Broker	This CE Fact Sheet lists everything you need to know about renewal deadlines and CE requirements for brokers.
2023 CE Fact Sheet - Managing Broker	If you are a managing broker, the 2023 CE Fact Sheet will tell you everything you need to know about your CE and renewal requirements.
2024 CE Fact Sheet - Residential Leasing Agent	The 2024 CE Fact Sheet for residential leasing agents tells you everything you’ll need to know about your CE and renewal requirements.
Request Certification/Verification	This document lists the requirements you’ll need for requesting certification of real estate licensure.
Real Estate Administration and Disciplinary Board	Here is helpful information about the Real Estate Administration and Disciplinary Board.
Change Your Name	If you’ve recently changed your name, use this form to notify the Illinois Division of Real Estate.
DRE Request for an Inactive License Form	If you’d like to have an inactive license, use this form to request an inactive status.

State Requirements For the State of Illinois

Illinois State Requirement Details for Real Estate Broker Pre-Licensing Education

Hours Required by the State: 75 hours

60-hour course including the following topics: Introduction to License Law, Real Property, Current State and Federal Law, Real Estate Transactions, and Real Estate Career Paths
15-hour Applied Real Estate Principles course

Licensing Exam: The licensing exam is administered by PSI. Registration for the state licensing exam is an entirely separate process from proctoring for your course final exam. For instructions to register for your state licensing exam and further information, please click here.

The CE Shop’s Offering: 75 hours

60-hour Broker Pre-License Real Estate Topics
15-hour Applied Real Estate Principles

The CE Shop LLC is a Real Estate Education Provider licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Division of Real Estate.

Reporting: Beginning June 12, 2024, education providers will not report course completions to PSI. Licensing exam candidates will be responsible for providing school name and course completion dates to PSI via https://test-takers.psiexams.com/ilrep.

Expiration Date of Course: Course expiration dates vary by course. Each individual course will have an expiration date listed in your account.

The CE Shop’s Pre-Licensing courses expire six months after the date of purchase. Each student will be granted a one-month extension at no charge, to be applied immediately after the initial six-month term. For any reactivation or extension of the course after the seventh month, The CE Shop will charge the student 20% of the current retail price of the course for each 30-day extension or partial 30-day extension in the event that the course finally terminates before the end of the final 30-day extension. Students may also elect to re-enroll for 50% of the current retail price of the course, if the course has hit the year expiration or the student is at the 7 month mark and wants to repurchase and restart the course and enrollment. Extensions or reactivations cannot be granted beyond 12 months from the purchase of the course since, in all events, the course terminates 12 months after purchase.

Certificates: Immediately upon course completions, The CE Shop will provide students with an electronic copy of the course certificate of completion. Certificates will remain in your account for a minimum of five years, should you need additional copies at a later time. Please refer to your application to determine if you need to submit your certificate(s) of completion. Course completion dates are recorded using Central Standard Time. Please note that the date on your certificate of completion will reflect this.

Final Exam: Final exams must be passed with a minimum of 75%.

Still have questions? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions or Contact Us.

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Division of Real Estate

Street Address: 320 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor, Springfield, Illinois 62786

Mailing Address: 320 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor, Springfield, Illinois 62786

Telephone: (800) 560-6420

Email: fpr.realestate@illinois.gov

IDFPR Real Estate Brokerage

FAQs: Illinois Division of Real Estate

What are the continuing education requirements for real estate residential leasing agents?

Real estate residential leasing agents must complete 8 hours of CE every two years. The deadline is July 31st every year. Your education must include an 8-hour Residential Leasing Agent CORE course, which includes 1 hour of Sexual Harassment Prevention training. However, if you were issued a license on or after May 1, 2022, you do not have to take any CE courses for your renewal.

What are the continuing education requirements for real estate broker's in Illinois?

If you were issued a license prior to November 1st, 2021, you must complete 12 hours of CE classes. Their education must contain a 4-hour core course and 8 hours of electives, including Sexual Harassment Prevention Training.

If you were issued a broker’s license between November 1st, 2021, and October 31st, 2023, you’ll need to complete 45 hours (about two days) of post-licensing education.

The renewal period is every two years, and the deadline is April 30th, in even years only. If you’re ready to get started on your broker Continuing Education, sign up for your classes today.

What are the continuing education requirements for managing brokers in Illinois?

Managing Brokers licensed by the IDFPR must complete 24 credit hours of continuing education. These 24 hours must include a 12-hour Broker Management CE course, 4 hours of Core CE, and 8 hours of elective CE including a sexual harassment prevention training. Managing brokers renew every two years by April 30th (in even years only). Brokers must complete their entire CE requirement before renewing their licenses.

Can I renew my license without submitting my CE credits?

No. Licensing renewal cannot occur until all continuing education credits are completed.

What are the steps to become a real estate broker in Illinois?

Here is a quick breakdown of becoming a real estate broker in Illinois:

Complete Your Pre-Licensing Education.
Becoming a real estate leasing agent in Illinois starts with 75 hours of education. This serves as the learning core before you can take the state exam.
Take and Pass the Illinois Real Estate Exam.
Exams are taken through PSI (a testing services company).
Apply for Your Real Estate License. To apply, you’ll need to create an account on the Illinois Division of Real Estate web portal. The application requires proof of real estate education and various documents (think social security cards and work history).

For a more comprehensive explanation of the licensing steps, take a look at our guide on how to become a real estate agent in Illinois. If you’re ready to start your Pre-Licensing education today, you can sign up for one of our approved online packages.

How soon must I report a change in my personal information to the IDFPR?

According to the Illinois statutes and rules, any changes to your information must be reported to the IDFPR within 14 business days. within 10 business days. Changes that are not made, or not made in time, are violations of the statutes and rules, and you could be subject to disciplinary action.

How do I reinstate my brokers’ license?

To reinstate your license as a broker, you must submit an application to the DRE. You'll need to make sure you have a designated managing broker, update your continuing education, and pay any required fees. The fees will be paid to the IDFPR using a check or money order. The fee is $200.

How do I reinstate my real estate leasing agent license?

To reinstate your real estate leasing agent license, you must submit an application to the DRE. Make sure your CE is up-to-date and pay any required fees.

Will my criminal history prevent me from getting a real estate license in Illinois?

More than 95% of applicants will be approved for an Illinois real estate license if they disclose their conviction upon application. However, they will be less likely to be approved if they were convicted of conspiracy to defraud, extortion, forgery, embezzlement, larceny, obtaining money under false pretenses, or a felony involving moral turpitude.

What is Illinois’ out-of-state recognition/reciprocity policy for real estate agents?

Illinois currently has reciprocity with the states listed below. If you hold a real estate license in an Illinois reciprocal state, no extra classroom or coursework is required. Your only requirement is to take the state-specific portion of the licensing exam (40 questions). A general overview of the state-specific 40 questions may be found in the Candidate Handbook on the PSI website.

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