Complete your Illinois Real Estate continuing education for Just $199 — 100% online at your own pace

New Illinois broker licensees must complete 45 hours of post-license education before their first renewal, consisting of three 15-hour courses covering applied brokerage principles, risk management and discipline, and transactional issues. Each course requires passage of a 50-question final examination with a minimum score of 75%. The 45-hour post-license curriculum satisfies the continuing education requirement for the initial broker license term, and brokers licensed within 180 days preceding the renewal deadline have until the second renewal deadline to complete it.

Illinois broker licenses expire on April 30 of even-numbered years, and managing broker licenses expire on April 30 of odd-numbered years. The renewal window opens 90 days before the expiration date for most licenses, though an initial broker license has a 180-day renewal period. A licensee who receives an initial license during the first renewal period does not pay the initial renewal fee and receives a license expiring on the second renewal deadline.

Brokers renew online through the IDFPR Online Services Portal, paying a $200 renewal fee, by the April 30 deadline in even-numbered years. Established brokers must complete 12 hours of continuing education, consisting of a 6-hour Core course and 6 hours of electives, including at least 2 hours of fair housing training in the core and 1 hour of sexual harassment prevention training in the electives. New brokers who received their initial license within the current cycle must instead complete 45 hours of post-license education, divided into three 15-hour courses, each with a 50-question final exam. All education must be completed through an IDFPR-approved provider.

Brokers and managing brokers must complete 12 hours of continuing education (CE) per renewal cycle, including at least 2 hours of fair housing training within the 6-hour core curriculum and 6 hours of electives. Managing brokers must also complete a 12-hour broker management CE course, bringing their total to 24 hours. New brokers must complete 45 hours of post-license education (three 15-hour courses) instead of CE for their first renewal. Residential leasing agents must complete 8 hours of CE per cycle. No more than 12 hours of CE may be taken in one calendar day.

Do real estate licenses expire in Illinois? You must make an application for the reinstatement of your broker license. 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 to keep real estate license active in Illinois? An active license allows you to transact real estate for others and earn a commission for your efforts. An inactive license says that you have met the state's licensing requirements, but you are not currently authorized to earn a commission for assisting with real estate transactions. To reactivate an inactive broker license, you will need to go to the online services portal. Follow the directions and make sure you indicate a managing broker. Depending on how long you have been on inactive status, you may need to submit a paper application for the reinstatement of your broker license. Log in to the online services portal to place your license on inactive status. If you leave your license on inactive status for five years or longer, you may need to submit a restoring application and additional documentation.

You can complete your courses at your own pace with 6 months of access included after enrollment. If you need additional time you can obtain an extension for a small additional fee.

NAR requires its members to complete ethics training every three years as a condition of membership. This requirement is separate from the state-mandated continuing education that Illinois brokers and managing brokers must complete for license renewal. NAR also offers voluntary continuing education programs and professional designations through its institutes, societies, and councils.