For most first-time Illinois Real Estate Broker applicants, the education stage begins with a 75-hour approved pre-license course.
The course introduces the real estate principles, Illinois laws, transaction concepts, agency rules, contracts, financing, calculations, disclosures, fair housing, and practical situations that a future Broker needs to understand before taking the licensing examination.
The 75 hours are divided into:
60 hours of Broker Pre-License Topics
plus
15 hours of Applied Real Estate Principles
Choosing an approved course, understanding the delivery format, completing the required hours, and keeping your education records are important first steps toward Illinois Broker licensure.
| Requirement | Current Illinois Standard |
|---|---|
| Total Broker Pre-License Education | 75 hours |
| Broker Pre-License Topics | 60 hours |
| Applied Real Estate Principles | 15 hours |
| Education Provider | Must meet applicable IDFPR approval requirements |
| Minimum Broker Applicant Age | 18 |
| General Education Requirement | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Education Validity | 2 years after satisfactory completion |
| Licensing Exam After Education | National + Illinois Broker examination |
| Licensing Authority | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation |
| Exam Administrator | PSI Services LLC |
The course is only one stage of the licensing process.
Course completion does not itself create an Illinois Broker license.
The Illinois Broker pre-license course is the required education program completed by most standard first-time Broker applicants before becoming eligible for the licensing examination.
Its purpose is to give students foundational knowledge in:
The course is designed to prepare prospective licensees for both the licensing examination and the basic concepts they will encounter in brokerage practice.
Current Illinois Administrative Code requires a standard Broker applicant to complete:
75 credit hours of approved instruction
The education is divided into two major courses:
Provides the main academic foundation.
Focuses more heavily on applying real estate principles to realistic situations.
Together:
\[
60 + 15 = 75 \text{ hours}
\]
The 60-hour portion introduces the major concepts that form the foundation of Illinois real estate education.
Current curriculum areas include topics such as:
This section gives students the terminology, rules, and concepts needed before working through practical transaction situations.
The remaining:
15 hours
focus on applying what you learned in the main course.
Rather than studying only definitions, students work with:
Applied topics can involve:
This section helps turn real estate theory into practical decision-making.
The two parts serve different purposes.
Answers:
What do I need to know?
Answers:
How would I use that knowledge in a transaction?
For example:
The 60-hour section may teach:
What dual agency means.
The applied section may ask you to analyze:
A transaction where one licensee is asked to represent both buyer and seller.
Both knowledge and application are important.
The current Illinois curriculum allocates instructional time across major subjects approximately as follows:
| Curriculum Area | Hours |
|---|---|
| License Law | 0.5 |
| Real Property | 4.5 |
| Federal Laws | 3 |
| Structure of Agency | 6 |
| Seller Relationships and Counseling | 9 |
| Buyer Relationships and Counseling | 7 |
| Illinois Law | 3 |
| Advertising and Technology | 2 |
| Appraisal and Comparative Market Analysis | 3 |
| Financing | 6 |
| Real Estate Calculations | 3 |
| Contracts in Real Estate | 8 |
| Transfer of Title | 3 |
| Leasing and Property Management | 2 |
| Applied Real Estate Principles | 15 |
| Total | 75 |
The number of hours gives students a useful idea of the depth of each topic.
The current curriculum assigns substantial time to seller representation.
Students can expect to study concepts involving:
Understanding the seller side of a transaction helps connect several other subjects, including contracts, agency, disclosure, advertising, and valuation.
Students also study the buyer side of the transaction.
Topics can include:
A Broker needs to understand how responsibilities change depending on whom the Broker represents.
Agency is one of the most important subjects in the Illinois Broker curriculum.
Students should understand:
Illinois uses a designated agency system, so students should give this subject careful attention.
Contracts are another major part of the required course.
Students may study:
Contract questions often test application rather than simple vocabulary.
The course also introduces real estate financing.
Topics can include:
A Broker does not need to become a mortgage lender, but should understand how financing affects a transaction.
Illinois Broker students should expect calculations involving areas such as:
Do not avoid math until the end of the course.
Short, repeated practice usually works better.
Suppose:
Property value:
$300,000
Loan amount:
$240,000
Use:
\[
\text{LTV}
=
\frac{\text{Loan Amount}}{\text{Property Value}}
\times100
\]
\[
\$240,000 \div \$300,000 = 0.80
\]
\[
0.80 \times 100 = 80\%
\]
Loan-to-value:
80%
This is the type of calculation students should become comfortable solving.
The course is not only national real estate theory.
Students must also understand Illinois-specific requirements involving areas such as:
Keep Illinois rules clearly separated from general real estate concepts.
Students should study:
Illinois housing protections extend beyond the basic federal protected classes.
A Broker must understand that several types of disclosure can arise during a transaction.
Course material can involve:
Yes, approved Illinois Broker education can be available through online formats.
Current Illinois rules recognize delivery methods that can include:
However, the specific delivery rules can differ between the:
60-hour Broker Pre-License Topics course
and the:
15-hour Applied Real Estate Principles course
Always verify that the provider and course format are currently approved.
Current rules allow the 15-hour Applied Real Estate Principles course to be presented through approved formats including:
The applied component is intended to involve practical learning rather than simply reading independent correspondence material.
Before enrolling, confirm exactly how the provider delivers this portion.
Illinois rules contain separate requirements for qualifying correspondence or home-study pre-license courses.
Where those formats are allowed, current rules require a:
Mandatory proctored final examination
The examination must meet applicable provider and regulatory requirements.
Remote proctoring, where used, must comply with applicable law.
Do not assume every online course is legally the same as a correspondence or home-study course.
Students sometimes use the words:
Online course
for every type of remote education.
Illinois rules distinguish among instructional formats.
An approved:
Online distance education course
can operate differently from a:
Correspondence or home-study course
Before enrolling, ask the provider:
Current Illinois rules require licensed education providers to verify attendance for courses presented through formats including:
This means a legitimate approved course should have a method for verifying that students actually complete the required instruction.
Buying access to a course is not the same as completing the required hours.
One of the most important enrollment decisions is confirming that your education will count toward Illinois licensure.
Before paying for a course, verify that the:
Do not choose a program only because its website uses phrases such as:
The course must satisfy current Illinois licensing requirements.
Before paying, confirm:
Is it the actual Illinois Broker pre-license program?
Does it provide the required 75 hours?
Does it include both:
Is the provider currently approved?
How will the instruction be completed?
What transcript or certificate will you receive?
Taking a few minutes to verify these points can prevent wasted time and tuition.
These are related but different.
Fulfills an Illinois education requirement.
Helps you review for the PSI licensing examination.
An exam-prep program does not automatically replace the required 75-hour pre-license education.
Likewise, finishing the 75 hours does not automatically mean no additional exam review will be useful.
The terminology can be confusing.
Completed before the standard initial Broker examination and license.
75 hours
Completed after qualifying initial Broker licensure during the applicable first license term.
45 hours
Applies later under the applicable renewal requirements.
Each stage serves a different purpose.
Current Illinois Administrative Code provides that the required Broker pre-license education is valid for:
2 years after satisfactory completion
This is an important deadline.
If too much time passes before you complete the examination process, you may no longer be able to rely on that education for the licensing path.
Keep your completion date in your licensing records.
When you complete the course, keep:
You may need proof of education when establishing examination eligibility.
Do not rely only on being able to log back into a provider's website years later.
The typical next stage is the licensing examination.
A standard route can look like:
Complete 75-Hour Course
↓
Obtain Completion Documentation
↓
Create / Use PSI Account
↓
Submit Required Education Evidence
↓
Establish Examination Eligibility
↓
Schedule Broker Examination
↓
Pass National + Illinois Portions
↓
Complete License Application
After completing qualifying education, standard candidates prepare for the Broker examination.
The current PSI examination structure includes:
| Portion | Scored Questions | Passing Score | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Broker | 100 | 70% | 150 minutes |
| Illinois State | 40 | 75% | 90 minutes |
PSI can also include experimental questions that are not scored.
The course provides the foundation.
Focused exam review helps turn that knowledge into test performance.
Do not assume the course-hour distribution exactly matches the PSI exam weighting.
Determines what approved pre-license education should teach.
Explains how the licensing examination is organized.
After completing your course, compare your notes with the current PSI outline.
This can help identify subjects that need additional exam review.
A student can complete all 75 hours and still need review.
Ask yourself whether you can:
Course completion is an education milestone.
Exam readiness is a performance question.
Do not wait until the final lesson to organize your material.
Create separate notes for:
Organized notes make exam preparation much easier later.
A weak course routine looks like:
Watch Lesson → Click Next → Forget Material
A stronger routine looks like:
Learn Topic
↓
Write Short Notes
↓
Explain It Without Looking
↓
Practice a Question
↓
Review Mistakes
↓
Return to the Topic Later
The objective is not merely to accumulate course hours.
The objective is to build usable knowledge.
Real estate contains significant vocabulary.
Instead of memorizing words alphabetically, organize them by topic.
Context makes terminology easier to remember and apply.
After learning a rule, create or solve a realistic scenario.
Example:
A listing Broker knows the seller will accept $20,000 less than the asking price. Can the Broker reveal that information to a buyer without permission?
This forces you to think about:
Scenario-based learning is especially useful for Illinois agency and disclosure concepts.
Students often postpone calculations because they feel uncomfortable with math.
A better plan is:
10–15 minutes of math practice several times each week
Practice:
Repeated practice makes formulas feel familiar before the exam.
A student balancing work and other responsibilities might use:
Course lesson + short notes
Continue lesson + recall review
New topic
Practice questions
Calculations or case study
Longer course session + cumulative review
Light review or rest
Your schedule can be different.
Consistency matters more than copying a specific timetable.
Illinois specifies the required instructional hours, but each student's calendar timeline can differ.
Your completion time can depend on:
For example, someone studying intensively may complete the education in fewer calendar weeks than someone studying part-time.
The requirement remains:
75 approved instructional hours
A fast schedule can be useful for some students.
However, speed should not come at the expense of:
If you finish quickly but retain very little, you may need significantly more exam review afterward.
Choose a pace you can actually absorb.
Illinois does not establish one universal tuition amount charged by every education provider.
Course prices can vary depending on:
The course tuition is separate from:
One provider may advertise a lower base price while another includes more materials.
Ask whether the package includes:
Compare the entire package rather than one headline price.
Before enrollment, ask:
Clear answers help prevent surprises after enrollment.
Be cautious if a provider:
Verify the course before spending money.
An education provider teaches the required curriculum.
The provider does not replace:
IDFPR
as the Illinois licensing authority.
The typical roles are:
Provides qualifying education.
Administers the current licensing examination.
Sponsors a Broker who will engage in licensed activity.
Issues and regulates the Illinois license.
Understanding these roles prevents confusion during the licensing process.
Completing 75 hours is important, but it is not the only requirement.
A standard Broker applicant must also address requirements involving:
The 75-hour course is primarily associated with the standard first-time Illinois Broker route.
A qualifying applicant who already holds an active equivalent real estate license in another U.S. jurisdiction may instead use the current:
Licensure by Endorsement
route.
Current endorsement education uses a separate:
30-hour Broker Pre-License Endorsement Course
Do not automatically enroll in the 75-hour course if you may qualify for endorsement.
Current Illinois rules recognize a separate examination pathway for individuals:
Currently admitted to practice law by the Supreme Court of Illinois
Such applicants should review the current IDFPR requirements before automatically enrolling in the standard 75-hour education program.
The attorney route should not be generalized to lawyers licensed only in other jurisdictions.
Current Illinois rules provide that if a standard Broker applicant fails the licensing examination:
Four consecutive times
the applicant must repeat the required pre-license education before taking the examination again.
This makes it especially important to:
Because the current rules provide a two-year validity period for the education, track:
Course Completion Date
and your progress through:
Do not complete the course and then leave the licensing process unattended for years.
Passing the examination is another milestone, not automatic licensure.
The applicant generally moves into the IDFPR application stage.
Current Illinois rules require the applicable application to include matters such as:
Current rules provide a standard applicant:
One year from receipt of the passing examination score
to submit the license application and satisfy licensure requirements.
A newly qualified Broker does not simply begin practicing alone.
For an active Illinois Broker license, the applicant must have the applicable:
Sponsoring Broker
relationship.
When comparing brokerages, review:
The pre-license course is not the final real estate education requirement.
Qualifying new Brokers generally complete:
45 hours of post-license education
during the applicable first license term.
That education includes three 15-hour courses covering:
The course stage therefore continues after initial licensure.
| Education Stage | Purpose |
|---|---|
| 75-Hour Pre-License | Prepares standard applicants before initial examination and licensing |
| 45-Hour Post-License | Practical education during the applicable first Broker license term |
| Continuing Education | Ongoing education for later applicable renewal cycles |
Do not wait until renewal to learn which category applies to you.
Save a permanent digital copy of:
Create a folder specifically for your Illinois Broker licensing records.
Your education needs to satisfy current Illinois requirements.
The standard requirement is 75 hours, including the 15-hour Applied component.
Delivery classifications and requirements can differ.
Finishing quickly does not guarantee retention.
The exam contains a significant state-specific component.
Calculations remain part of Broker preparation.
Keep your education documentation.
The education is valid for two years.
The standard path can be summarized as:
Check Broker Eligibility
↓
Choose Approved 75-Hour Course
↓
Complete 60-Hour Topics Course
↓
Complete 15-Hour Applied Principles
↓
Save Education Documentation
↓
Prepare for PSI Exam
↓
Pass National and Illinois Portions
↓
Arrange Sponsorship
↓
Apply to IDFPR
↓
Verify License Issuance
↓
Complete Post-License Education When Applicable
This helps keep the course in context as one stage of the full licensing process.
The best outcome is not simply:
"I completed 75 hours."
A stronger outcome is:
"I understand the major concepts well enough to apply them."
Pay particular attention to subjects you will encounter repeatedly:
The course is your foundation for both the examination and later professional training.
Once your course is underway, organize what you are learning.
Use the:
Illinois Real Estate Course Study Guide
for help with:
After completing the 75 hours, continue with:
Illinois Real Estate Broker Exam
Illinois Broker Exam Study Guide
Illinois Broker Exam Questions
Illinois Real Estate Practice Test
Your course gives you the foundation.
Exam preparation teaches you to apply that foundation under testing conditions.
For the complete education requirements:
Illinois Broker Education Requirements
For the 75-hour curriculum topics:
For general pre-license education guidance:
For online learning options:
Online Illinois Real Estate Classes
For post-license education:
Illinois Broker Post-License Education
For continuing education:
The 75-hour pre-license course can feel large when you first see the complete curriculum.
Break it into manageable areas:
Property
↓
Agency
↓
Clients and Customers
↓
Contracts
↓
Financing
↓
Calculations
↓
Illinois Law
↓
Disclosures
↓
Applied Transactions
Illinois Broker Academy provides educational resources designed to help prospective Brokers understand the Illinois licensing path and prepare more effectively for each stage.
A standard first-time Illinois Broker applicant generally completes 75 hours of approved pre-license education.
The curriculum is divided into 60 hours of Broker Pre-License Topics and 15 hours of Applied Real Estate Principles.
The 60-hour course covers major areas such as license law, real property, agency, seller and buyer relationships, Illinois law, advertising, appraisal, financing, calculations, contracts, transfer of title, leasing, and property management.
It is the practical portion of the Illinois Broker curriculum and focuses on applying real estate concepts through situational exercises, case studies, transaction examples, and other applied learning activities.
No. It is part of the standard 75-hour Broker pre-license education requirement.
Yes. Approved Illinois Broker education can be offered in qualifying online formats. The exact delivery method should be verified with the approved provider before enrollment.
Current Illinois rules allow the applied course to be presented through approved formats including classroom, interactive webinar, or online distance education.
Not necessarily. Illinois rules distinguish among different instructional formats, including online distance education and correspondence or home-study courses.
Current Illinois rules require a mandatory proctored final examination for qualifying correspondence or home-study pre-license courses.
Yes. Current Illinois rules require attendance verification for classroom, interactive webinar, and online distance education courses.
Check the current IDFPR Division of Real Estate information for approved education providers and courses before enrolling.
You can compare prices, but first verify that the provider and course satisfy current Illinois requirements. Also compare what the package includes, such as both required course components, materials, support, and exam preparation.
There is no single statewide tuition charged by every provider. Course prices vary according to provider, format, materials, services, and package features.
Not automatically. The Illinois Broker examination is a separate licensing-stage expense unless a provider package specifically includes some separate arrangement. Verify the current PSI fee independently.
No. Course completion satisfies the education stage. You must still meet the applicable examination, application, sponsorship, and other licensing requirements.
Yes. Standard applicants generally complete qualifying pre-license education before establishing eligibility for the Broker examination.
The current exam has a 100-question scored National portion and a 40-question scored Illinois State portion, along with possible unscored experimental questions.
Current PSI guidance lists a 70% passing score for the National portion and 75% for the Illinois State portion.
Current Illinois Administrative Code provides that qualifying Broker pre-license education is valid for two years after satisfactory completion.
If it falls outside the applicable two-year validity period, it may no longer satisfy the education requirement for the examination process. Verify your specific situation with current IDFPR or PSI guidance.
Current rules require a standard Broker candidate who fails the examination four consecutive times to repeat the applicable pre-license education before taking the examination again.
Yes. Build organized notes, practice calculations, review difficult concepts, and retain Illinois-specific rules throughout the course. More focused exam preparation can follow course completion.
Give significant attention to agency, contracts, seller and buyer relationships, financing, Illinois law, disclosures, fair housing, and calculations.
Yes. Illinois-specific licensing and professional-practice requirements are an important part of the curriculum.
Yes. Students study applicable federal and Illinois fair housing requirements as part of real estate education and professional preparation.
Yes. The curriculum includes real estate calculations involving topics such as commissions, financing, taxes, prorations, seller proceeds, and buyer costs.
The standard Broker licensing requirements do not require a college degree. Current IDFPR guidance identifies a high school diploma or GED/equivalent as the general education requirement.
The current standard minimum age for Broker licensure is 18.
Do not automatically enroll in the standard 75-hour course. A qualifying active out-of-state Broker may be eligible for Illinois licensure by endorsement, which uses a separate 30-hour pre-license endorsement course.
Current Illinois rules provide a separate examination qualification route for attorneys currently admitted to practice by the Supreme Court of Illinois. Attorneys should verify the current requirements before enrolling in the standard program.
Save your completion records, compare your knowledge with the current PSI content outline, review weak areas, establish examination eligibility, and schedule the Broker exam when you are prepared.
Use the current IDFPR Division of Real Estate information, 68 Illinois Administrative Code Part 1450, the official Broker 75-Hour Pre-License Curriculum, and current PSI Candidate Information Booklet.