In Illinois, real estate brokers generally renew their licenses every two years. The specific expiration date and education requirements depend on your license type and renewal circumstances.
People often use the term “real estate agent,” but Illinois’s entry-level real estate license is called a broker license. Illinois brokers generally renew on a two-year cycle. Managing brokers also renew on a two-year cycle.
Renewal is tied to the state’s licensing cycle, not simply to the anniversary of the day you received your license. Check your license record and current renewal information from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to confirm your expiration date and the requirements that apply to you.
Licensed brokers typically need to complete required continuing education before renewing. The applicable coursework can depend on your license type, renewal cycle, and individual circumstances, so confirm your requirements with IDFPR rather than assuming the same courses apply to every licensee.
Newly licensed brokers should also distinguish first-renewal postlicensing from regular continuing education. Illinois’s standard postlicensing program is 45 hours, subject to current state rules and individual circumstances. It is separate from the continuing education requirements that apply in later renewal cycles.
For more information about Illinois real estate education and licensing, visit Illinois Broker Academy.