Illinois real estate broker license reciprocity and endorsement

As of January 1, 2026, Illinois no longer accepts real estate broker license reciprocity applications from any state. Out-of-state brokers and managing brokers must instead apply for licensure by endorsement under Section 5-60.5 of the Illinois Real Estate License Act of 2000, a pathway open to licensees from every state rather than only those that held prior agreements for a reciprocal real estate license.

Is reciprocity available in Illinois?

No. Illinois ended its reciprocity program effective January 1, 2026. SB 3740 (P.A. 103-236)^[1] repealed Section 5-60 of the state's licensing statute, which had authorized bilateral pacts with designated states, and created Section 5-60.5 as a new endorsement pathway for all out-of-state licensees. The Illinois Administrative Code title 68, section 1450.440, amended effective July 7, 2025, bars any reciprocity-based application submitted on or after that date.

The National Association of REALTORS®^[2] tracked the end of REALTOR® license reciprocity in Illinois, confirming that the endorsement model opens licensure to agents nationwide who satisfy the requirements rather than only those covered by bilateral pacts.

What changed when Illinois replaced reciprocity with endorsement

The endorsement pathway opens eligibility to licensees nationwide, eliminating the requirement that an applicant's home state held a written bilateral pact with Illinois. Under the prior system, only licensees from designated states could transfer their credentials, and they had to pass a separate state-specific examination. Under endorsement, applicants who satisfy the statutory requirements may obtain an Illinois license by completing a 30-hour endorsement course and passing an Illinois-specific exam.

Existing bilateral-pact licenses stay in force and can be renewed under Section 5-60.1^[3] of the Act. Holders of these licenses do not need to reapply under the endorsement pathway. The old IDFPR reciprocity page^[4] still displays the pre-2026 system but has not been updated to reflect the statutory change.

Who qualifies for licensure by endorsement

Any actively licensed real estate professional from another U.S. state or jurisdiction who holds a license in good standing may apply for endorsement. The endorsement application^[5] and Section 5-60.5^[3] of the Act establish two tiers of eligibility.

Illinois uses a two-tier license structure: broker (entry-level) and managing broker (supervisory). An out-of-state salesperson, agent, or associate broker maps to the Illinois broker tier. An out-of-state broker who supervises other licensees maps to the Illinois managing broker tier.

Broker endorsement eligibility. You must hold an active broker license or its equivalent in good standing in another state, pass the Illinois endorsement examination, and complete a 30-hour pre-license endorsement course from an IDFPR-approved provider. If you have been actively practicing for less than 2 years immediately prior to application, you must also complete 45 hours of post-license broker education.

Managing broker endorsement eligibility. You must hold an active managing broker license or its equivalent in good standing, have been actively practicing for not less than 2 years immediately prior to application, pass the Illinois endorsement examination, and complete a 30-hour managing broker pre-license endorsement course.

How to apply for an Illinois real estate license by endorsement

The endorsement application requires several documents submitted to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). The endorsement application form^[5] lists the required materials.

1. Complete the 30-hour pre-license endorsement course through an IDFPR-approved provider and obtain a Uniform Real Estate Transcript as proof of completion.
2. Pass the Illinois Real Estate Endorsement Examination administered by PSI Services LLC.
3. Obtain a Certification by Licensing Agency/Board from each state where you hold or have held a real estate license, confirming your active status, good standing, and discipline history.
4. Secure an Illinois sponsor (a brokerage firm or a self-sponsoring managing broker) and complete a Sponsor Card for active license status. Without a sponsor, IDFPR issues your license as inactive.
5. Complete the Non-resident Consent/Certifying Statement if you are not an Illinois resident.
6. Submit the application with the required fee to IDFPR by mail or email.

Applications can be mailed to IDFPR, PO Box 7570, Springfield, IL 62791-7570, or emailed to FPR.RealEstate@illinois.gov. Online fee payment is available through IDFPR's ePay system.

Managing broker applicants who are self-sponsored must also submit a Consent to Examine and Audit Special Accounts. Nonresident brokers must file a designation appointing the Illinois Secretary of State as agent for service of process, per Section 5-60.5(d)^[3] of the Act.

The 30-hour pre-license endorsement course

The endorsement course is a 30-hour curriculum covering Illinois-specific real estate law, distinct from the 75-hour standard pre-license broker course. The PSI Candidate Information Booklet^[6] confirms that endorsement candidates must complete this course through an IDFPR-approved provider before sitting for the endorsement exam.

Broker endorsement candidates take the 30-hour Broker Pre-License Endorsement Course. Managing broker endorsement candidates take the 30-hour Managing Broker Pre-License Endorsement Course. The course provider issues a Uniform Real Estate Transcript, which you submit with your endorsement application as proof of completion.

The Illinois endorsement examination

The endorsement exam tests knowledge of Illinois real estate brokerage laws only, not national real estate content. PSI Services LLC^[6] administers the exam at test centers across Illinois and at PSI examination centers in other U.S. regions, and via remote proctoring. Candidates can contact PSI at (855) 340-3893.

The exam fee is $58 per attempt. Endorsement candidates may test an unlimited number of times during their 2-year eligibility period, compared to a maximum of 4 attempts for standard pre-license candidates. If you do not test within 1 year of PSI receiving your fee, the fee is forfeited.

You must apply for licensure with IDFPR within 1 year of passing the endorsement exam, or your exam credit terminates, per Section 5-35^[3] of the Act. Pre-license education remains valid for 2 years after completion.

Endorsement application fees

The following fees apply to licensure by endorsement, per Illinois Administrative Code section 1450.130^[7], amended effective July 7, 2025:

All fees are non-refundable. The managing broker application fee is $175; the $250 figure that appears in some sources refers to the managing broker renewal fee, a separate transaction.

Background check for out-of-state applicants

Endorsement applicants must complete a criminal background check through fingerprinting. The IDFPR Fingerprint Background Check Guide^[8] requires fingerprints to be taken within 60 days of submitting your application.

Out-of-state applicants follow a specific process. You must complete an Identity Verification Certifying Statement form, obtain fingerprinting at a local agency such as a police department, get one FBI Fingerprint Card, and send the card and form to an Illinois-licensed fingerprint vendor with "Card Scan" capability. The vendor electronically transmits your fingerprints to the Illinois State Police and FBI, which send results to IDFPR. Manual fingerprint submission to ISP is no longer accepted.

The Card Scan fee is set by the Illinois fingerprint vendor, not by IDFPR. Keep your fingerprint receipt with its 16-digit Transaction Control Number for your records.

Illinois real estate license portability

Illinois operates as a "physical location" portability state, meaning out-of-state licensees may not physically enter Illinois to conduct real estate business without an Illinois license. They may work with Illinois clients remotely from their home state.

Nonresident brokers licensed by endorsement are not required to maintain an office in Illinois if they maintain an active license and office in another state and file written consent statements, per Section 5-45(e)^[3] of the Act.

Next steps after receiving your Illinois license

Once IDFPR issues your license, affiliate with an Illinois sponsoring broker to activate it. Without sponsorship, your license remains inactive. You must complete 12 hours of continuing education per renewal cycle, the same requirement that applies to all Illinois brokers and managing brokers. Brokers who were practicing for less than 2 years at the time of application must complete the post-license education requirement before their first renewal deadline. Your first step is enrolling in an IDFPR-approved endorsement course and requesting licensure certifications from every state where you have held a real estate license.