Best Real Estate Courses & Schools in Illinois (2026)

No, not entirely self-paced. IDFPR breaks the 75-hour curriculum into two distinct parts: a 60-hour Broker Topics course (which can be taken 100% self-paced online) AND a mandatory 15-hour Broker Applied Real Estate Principles course. State regulations mandate that the 15-hour portion be interactive, meaning it must be completed via live webinar (like Zoom) or in a physical classroom setting. When selecting an online school, make sure their package includes scheduling options for the live 15-hour interactive component so you aren’t forced to pay extra for it later.

Illinois requires 75 hours total, split into two courses: a 60-hour Broker Pre-License Topics course (self-paced online is fine) and a 15-hour Applied Real Estate Principles course, which by state law must be taken live — either in a classroom or an interactive virtual webinar, not pre-recorded video.

Most students finish the 60-hour self-paced portion in a few weeks, then schedule the 15-hour live Applied Principles course, which is often offered on set dates rather than on demand. Add time for your background check and finding a sponsoring broker, and most people are licensed within 2 to 4 months total.

Most agents describe it as genuinely challenging — Illinois doesn’t release official pass rates, but unofficial estimates put first-time pass rates around 50 to 60%. The exam has 140 questions, and you’ll need a minimum score of 75% on both the national and state sections independently to pass.

You can retake it as many times as needed — there’s no cap on attempts. Just keep in mind you need to pass the exam and submit your license application within the eligibility window after completing your coursework, so don’t let retakes drag on too long.

There’s no published limit on attempts — you can keep retaking it by paying the $58 fee each time until you pass both sections.

140 multiple-choice questions: 100 on the national section and 40 on the Illinois-specific section. You’ll have 3.5 hours to complete it, administered by PSI.

75% on both the national and state sections independently.

Illinois eliminated the separate “Salesperson” license category back in 2011. Entry-level agents are licensed directly as Brokers, but you still have to work under a Sponsoring Managing Broker before you can legally help buyers and sellers — functionally, it works like a salesperson license in most other states.

Most Illinois-approved pre-licensing courses include practice exams as part of the coursework. For additional free practice questions, check YouTube for study walkthroughs, or ask your course provider whether sample questions are available before purchasing standalone exam prep.

Take as many practice exams as you can — repetition is what turns recognition into recall. Since you need 75% on each section independently, give the 40-question state-specific section real attention even though the national section carries more than twice as many questions.

Illinois is a “broker-only” state. Unlike states that issue entry-level “salesperson” licenses, Illinois issues a Real Estate Broker license right out of the gate. When shopping for a school, you are looking for the 75-Hour Illinois Broker Pre-Licensing Course. Don’t worry—you don’t need years of industry experience to enroll; this is simply Illinois’s official title for entry-level agents. However, you must still work under the supervision of a Sponsoring Broker to activate your license once you pass the state exam.

Yes, bundling pre-licensing and post-licensing education is usually a smart financial move. Before your very first license renewal, Illinois requires all new brokers to complete 45 hours of Post-Licensing education (broken into three 15-hour courses focusing on transactional applications, risk management, and applied practice). Because this is a substantial post-licensing requirement compared to other states, top Illinois real estate schools offer “Career Launcher” or “Ultimate” packages that bundle the initial 75-hour pre-licensing program, exam prep tools, AND the mandatory 45-hour post-licensing courses at a steep discount.