How Much Does it Cost to Get a Real Estate License in Illinois?

Are you considering a career in Illinois real estate? Good choice! Real estate is known for being a flexible field with unlimited income potential.

But how much does it cost to get a real estate license in Illinois and launch your new real estate career?

Let’s find out!

Illinois Real Estate License Costs: The Breakdown

Let’s check out the costs associated with getting an Illinois real estate license, calculate the total, and decide if your new real estate career is worth the expense.

Cost #1: Pre-License Real Estate Courses: $300 to $900

You don’t have to have a college degree to practice real estate in IL, but you do need to complete two industry courses:

1. A 60-Hour Broker Pre-License Topics Course

2. A 15-Hour Applied Real Estate Principles Course

You can enroll in the courses at any real estate school approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). As you compare real estate schools, focus on:

• Exam pass rates. How well do students from each school do on the real estate exam? Students from REI by Aceable, for example, have an 89% pass rate, compared to a 58% state average.

• Course access. Can you take the classes online? Will they work on your cell phone and tablet?

• Value. How much do the courses cost compared to what you get out of them?

How Much Do Real Estate Classes Cost in IL?

Students usually pay $300 to $900 for Illinois’ required pre-licensing courses. In-person courses usually cost more than online courses. For example, if you enroll in the pre-license broker course through Illinois Valley Community College, you’ll pay $895 in tuition and fees (as of 2025). For comparison, the Real Estate Institute by Aceable offers the same class online for as little as $599.

Cost #2: Exam Fee: $58 Per Attempt

After completing your coursework, you can apply for the IDFPR real estate exam, which costs $58 per attempt. The test is challenging, and many licensees need multiple attempts before they pass. Choosing a school with high pass rates increases your chances of passing on the first attempt, saving you time and money.

Cost #3: Application Fee: $150

The initial broker license application fee is currently $150. You’ll have two years before you need to renew your license.

Cost #4: Background Check and Fingerprints: $50 to $100

You’ll also need to pay for a background check and fingerprinting from an approved vendor. Most vendors charge between $50 and $100 for this service. MIIPS Biometrics, for example, charges $60.

Total Cost for an Illinois Real Estate License: $558 to $1,208

Totaling these four costs together, you’re likely to pay between $558 and $1,208 for your IL real estate license, with your real estate classes accounting for the biggest cost difference.

• Pre-License Real Estate School Courses: $300 to $900

• Exam Fee: $58 per attempt

• Application Fee: $150

• Fingerprinting Fee: $50 to $100

Additional Costs to Become an IL Real Estate Broker

Getting your real estate license is only the first step. Becoming a real estate agent (called a real estate broker in IL) is like starting your own business. Naturally, there will be some start-up costs in your first year of real estate.

Cost #1: Desk Fees: Varies, $0 to $3,600

IL brokers must work under a managing broker. Some managing brokers charge monthly “desk fees” for office space, utilities, and training. You may be able to avoid these fees by choosing a managing broker that covers these costs in exchange for a higher split of the commissions you earn.

Cost #2: Membership Dues: Varies, $0 to $1,000

Membership in industry associations (like the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) for example) provides benefits like training, networking, and resources to help you build your business. However, membership is optional for most brokerages.

If you decide to join NAR, you’ll pay:

• national-level dues ($156 plus a $45 special assessment for 2025),

• state-level dues ($212 plus a special assessment of $84 for 2025), and

• local dues, which vary by branch (The North Shore-Barrington Association of REALTORS, for example, charges $180 for 2025).

In this example, the total is $677 for your first year of NAR membership.

Cost #3: Multiple Listing Service (MLS): Varies, $0 to $600

The Multiple Listing Service MLS is the local database of properties for sale. You need this info to do your job as an IL real estate broker. The cost may be paid by your broker or your NAR membership. If not, you’ll need to cover it. Fees vary by region, but most IL MLS services charge $400-$600 per year.

Cost #4: Marketing Materials: Varies, $200 to $3,000

Thanks to social media, new brokers can start marketing themselves online for free. But you may still need money for marketing materials like business cards, signs, flyers, and mailers. It’s also a good idea to launch a real estate agent website for instant credibility and to capture new buyer and seller leads.

Cost #5: Living Expenses: Varies

Most real estate brokers do not earn a salary or hourly wages. Instead, they’re paid on commission when they close a deal. Even if you sell a house on your first day on the job, it usually takes around 30 days to complete the transaction. So be ready to support yourself for a few months while you build your client list and get deals in the pipeline.

Some new brokers keep their day jobs, working real estate part-time until they can establish themselves full-time. Others rely on their partner’s income or savings during this transition phase.

The Total Cost of Becoming an IL Real Estate Broker- $758+

Between getting your IL real estate license and establishing your business, you should expect to pay somewhere between $758 and $10,000 to become an Illinois real estate broker.

Is an Illinois Real Estate License Worth the Cost?

The vast majority of real estate agents agree that getting licensed is well worth the expense. In a recent survey of real estate agents and brokers, 88% of respondents report being satisfied (or very satisfied) with their careers.

Women seem especially happy with their decision to join the industry, with 96% being satisfied with their incomes and an incredible 99% being satisfied with their work-life balance!

Just consider the cost of starting a comparable career. If you were to get into law, for example, you would need an expensive college degree plus law school. By comparison, even a $10,000 investment in your real estate career is a bargain!

Start Earning Your IL Real Estate License Today!

Your new career starts with your IL real estate license. Consider the cost of getting a license as an investment in yourself. With our IDFPR-approved real estate courses, you’ll be able to learn the ins and outs of real estate quickly and recall what you learned come test time so you can get your license hassle-free.

Are you ready to start your new real estate career in IL? Enroll in your 75-hour IL real estate course today!