Yes. You can pursue a real estate career part-time in Illinois. You still need to complete the applicable licensing steps, and your ability to work part-time will depend on your brokerage arrangement, schedule, and ability to serve clients.
Illinois generally calls its entry-level license a broker license. Working part-time does not remove the education, examination, or application steps required to obtain that license. Learn more about Illinois real estate license requirements and the steps to get an Illinois real estate license.
After you are licensed and affiliated with a sponsoring brokerage, you may be able to arrange your work around other commitments. Brokerage policies and expectations differ, so ask about availability, supervision, transaction procedures, and any costs or responsibilities before choosing where to work. This is a useful part of choosing a real estate brokerage.
Part-time work can offer flexibility, but clients and transactions do not always follow a fixed schedule. You may need to respond to inquiries, coordinate appointments, attend showings, and keep transaction details moving while balancing another job or personal responsibilities. Think about the time you can reliably commit, including evenings or weekends if needed.
Income is not guaranteed. Real estate compensation and business activity vary, so consider your financial plans and the time needed to build professional relationships and a client base. A brokerage can explain its own policies and compensation arrangements.
If you decide to pursue the profession, begin by understanding the required education and how it fits into the examination and licensing process. Illinois broker prelicensing education is generally 75 hours, subject to current state rules and applicable exceptions. Review the available Illinois real estate pre-license courses and the 75-hour Illinois Broker Agent Course Online Package to explore an education option.
Completing a course is one step; it is not the same as passing the licensing examination, obtaining a license, or becoming eligible to practice. Check current requirements with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation before applying.