Do I Need a College Degree to Get a Real Estate License in Illinois?

No, you do not need a college degree to get a real estate license in Illinois. The state requires a high school diploma or GED, completion of a 75-hour pre-license course approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)Dre.html Idfpr.illinois.govDre.html Idfpr.illinois.govDre.html Idfpr.illinois.gov, and a passing score on the state licensing exam. That's it.

If you've been holding off on a real estate career because you don't have a four-year degree, you can stop waiting. Here's everything you need to know about Illinois education requirements.

Illinois Real Estate License Education Requirements at a Glance

Requirement	Details
Minimum age	18
Minimum education	High school diploma or GED
Pre-license education	75 hours (IDFPR-approved)
Course breakdown	60 hrs Real Estate Topics + 15 hrs Applied Real Estate Principles
Exam	State and national portions, 75% passing score required
Sponsorship	Must be sponsored by a licensed managing broker

What Education Do You Actually Need?

Illinois only requires two education credentials before you can sit for the broker exam: a high school diploma or GED, and completion of the state-approved 75-hour pre-license course. The pre-license curriculum is divided into 60 hours of general real estate topics and 15 hours of Applied Real Estate Principles, which is delivered through situational and case-study instruction. The 15-hour applied portion must be completed in a classroom, live webinar, or interactive online format — it cannot be done through self-paced correspondence study alone.

Make sure any course you enroll in carries IDFPR approval. If it isn't approved, it won't count toward your licensing requirements. You can get started with AceableAgent's Illinois real estate broker pre-license courseIllinois Broker Real Estate License, which is fully online, self-paced, and IDFPR-approved.

What If You Already Have a College Degree?

Having a degree won't hurt you, but it generally won't fast-track you either — with one exception. If you graduated from law school and are currently licensed to practice law in Illinois, you may be eligible to sit for the real estate broker exam without completing the 75-hour pre-license course. This exemption applies specifically to active Illinois-licensed attorneys. If that's you, confirm your eligibility directly with IDFPRDre.html Idfpr.illinois.govDre.html Idfpr.illinois.govDre.html Idfpr.illinois.gov before skipping the coursework.

For everyone else, a college degree in business, finance, or a related field can be a helpful professional foundation, but Illinois doesn't treat it as a substitute for the pre-license education requirement. Curious about the full path to licensure? Our step-by-step guide to getting your Illinois real estate licenseIllinois How To Get Illinois Brokers License Career Center walks you through every stage.

What If You're Already Licensed in Another State?

As of January 1, 2026, Illinois no longer accepts reciprocity applications. The state has transitioned to a Licensure by Endorsement process, as confirmed by the IDFPR Division of Real EstateDre.html Idfpr.illinois.govDre.html Idfpr.illinois.govDre.html Idfpr.illinois.gov. If you hold an active real estate license in another state and want to get licensed in Illinois, you'll now need to complete a 30-hour Illinois Broker Endorsement Course and pass the Illinois-specific portion of the state exam. You do not need to retake the full 75-hour pre-license course or the national exam portion.

For details on the endorsement process, approved course providers, and application steps, visit the Illinois REALTORS® reciprocity and endorsement pageReal Estate License Reciprocity Education or contact IDFPR directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get an Illinois real estate license without a college degree?

Yes. Illinois only requires a high school diploma or GED, plus the 75-hour IDFPR-approved pre-license course.

Does a law degree waive the Illinois pre-license course requirement?

Yes, but only for attorneys actively licensed to practice law in Illinois. All other applicants must complete the 75-hour course regardless of their educational background.

How long does it take to complete the Illinois pre-license course?

Most students complete the 75-hour course in a few weeks to a few months, depending on pace. For a more detailed breakdown, see our guide on how long it takes to get an Illinois real estate licenseIllinois How Long To Get Real Estate License Illinois Career Center.

How much does it cost to get an Illinois real estate license?

Beyond your course, you'll pay state exam and application fees. See our full breakdown in the Illinois real estate license cost guideIllinois Cost Of Illinois Real Estate License Career Center.

Do out-of-state agents still qualify for Illinois reciprocity?

No. Illinois ended reciprocity applications on December 31, 2025. Out-of-state licensees must now apply through the Endorsement process, which requires a 30-hour course and the state exam.

Ready to get started? You already meet the most important requirement — the decision to go for it. Take the next step with AceableAgent's Illinois real estate license courseIllinois Real Estate License and get licensed on your schedule.