Steps to a Salesperson's Illinois Real Estate License
The steps to qualifying for a licensed Real Estate Salesperson in Chicago, IL follow a basic outline:
Education
The first step toward becoming an Illinois Licensed Real Estate Salesperson is to garner the proper education. State law requires that any person applying for an Illinois Real Estate Salesperson's License will have completed 45 hours of instruction in Real Estate Licensing classes approved by the Advisory Council. Individuals who are currently admitted to practice law by the Supreme Court of Illinois and are currently in active standing are exempt from this education requirement. Proof of successful completion of the following curriculum will constitute the education necessary to sit for the exam:
Real Estate Transactions: Course Requirements shall include a minimum of 45 class hours. The course shall include instruction in Real Estate law, types of interest and ownership in Real Estate, home ownership, legal descriptions, titles, liens, taxes, encumbrances, listing, advertising, appraisal, finance, closings, and professional code of ethics. This course shall be mandatory for all Real Estate salesperson candidates. A minimum of 15 of the required hours of pre-license education shall be in the areas of Article 15 of ILRELA, disclosure and environmental issues, or any other currently topical areas deemed relative by the Advisory Council.
The following outline is applicable to new agent and salesperson licensees, only. Please see our section on Continuing Education for information regarding license renewal. If you are licensed as a Real Estate Salesperson in another state, see the License Reciprocity page for information on transferring your license to Illinois. More information on Real Estate Classes!
Examination
After you've completed the educational requirements, the next step is the state examination. This exam ensures, prior to licensing, that you have a solid understanding of Real Estate transactions. Before you sit for the exam, however, you will have to qualify to apply by meeting set criteria. In order to qualify to sit for the state exam, be sure to meet the following requirements and have proof of such with you at the time of your exam:
Age Requirements:
- Minimum 21 years of age:
Requirements to waive Minimum age:- attained the age of 18; and
- Satisfactory proof of completion of 4 semesters of post-secondary school study as a full-time student or the equivalent, with major emphasis on Real Estate courses, in a school approved by Office of Banks and Real Estate
- Certification of graduation from high school, or other equivalent (i.e. G.E.D.); and
- Proof of one of the following:
- Completion of at least 45 class hours of instruction in Real Estate courses approved by the Advisory Council (acceptable courses noted above);
- Completion of a correspondence course approved by the Advisory Council in accordance with Section 1450.295 of this Part;
- Evidence of receiving a baccalaureate or master's degree from a college or university in accounting, Real Estate, law, finance, business, or other degrees approved by the Division; or
- Currently admitted to practice law by the Supreme Court of Illinois
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Sponsorship
Now that you are authorized to hold an Illinois Real Estate Salesperson's License, the final step is to become sponsored. The broker's office that you choose to become associated with will prepare and finalize your application for licensing which will be submitted to the appropriate agencies. Illinois law requires notification of sponsorship prior to issuing your license.
A temporary 45-day permit sponsor card, valid for a maximum of 45 days, will be issued by your broker to cover the interim between the filing and processing of your license application and its issuance. Illinois law allows a brokerage to issue a temporary 45-day permit sponsor card only under the following circumstances:
- Upon presentation of a Real Estate examination pass score report which states that the broker may issue a sponsor card
- Upon presentation of an original license endorsed by the broker by whom the licensee was previously employed or with whom the licensee was previously associated
- Upon presentation of a license that has been expired for less than 2 years
Professional Associations
Professional association is the difference between a Real Estate Agent and a Realtor®. While your Illinois Real Estate Salesperson License does allow you to conduct Real Estate Transactions in the state of Illinois, membership in the National, Illinois, and Chicago Associations of Realtors® will give you the distinct designation as a Realtor®. The Multiple Listing Service of Northern Illinois (MLSNI) is managed and maintained through the various Realtor's® Assocations and contains critical information for Realtors® and their clients such as current homes listed for sale, comparable property values, property market times, property specifications and features, and numerous other invaluable datasets. Access to the MLS database is limited to Agent and Broker members which makes a membership with C.A.R. a crucial tool for any, and every, Agent and Broker.Continuing Education and License Renewal
Throughout your Real Estate career, you will need to ensure that you are properly licensed under Chicago and Illinois law. Part of meeting this requirement is to successfully complete Real Estate Continuing Education courses as necessary. Continuing Education requirements must be satisfied appropriately in order to renew your licensing with Illinois.
Illinois Real Estate Salesperson's licenses are generally issued for a term of two years; however, newly licensed individuals may not receive a full two years' term between initial license issuance and the initial license's expiration. (If this term is less than one full year, you will be exempt from meeting Illinois Real Estate Salesperson's required Continuing Education.) All licensees that have been licensed for at least one full year will be required to meet Continuing Education standards.