How to Pass the Illinois Real Estate Exam on Your First Try

Illinois has a thorough licensing process — 75 hours of pre-license education and a 140-question exam split 80/60 national/state. Passing requires 75% on both sections. The exam is administered by PSI.

Illinois Exam Fast Facts - Questions: 140 (80 national + 60 state) - Passing score: 75% on each section (60 national, 45 state) - Time limit: 4 hours - Provider: PSI - Pre-license education: 75 hours (broker — Illinois uses "broker" for all agents) - Governing body: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Real Estate Division

Illinois Licensing Structure

Like Colorado, Illinois licenses all agents as brokers (no "salesperson" designation):

• Managing Broker: supervises other brokers; must have 2 years of experience; requires additional 45 hours of education
• Broker: the standard license; must work under a managing broker
• Leasing Agent: limited license for residential leasing only (45 hours of education)

On the exam, "broker" means a standard Illinois agent, not a supervisor. Questions about supervision refer to the managing broker.

Illinois Real Estate License Act (RELA)

The Real Estate License Act of 2000 (225 ILCS 454) governs all licensees. Key IDFPR and RELA facts:

• Broker licenses renew every 2 years; 12 hours of CE required (including 4 hours of Core)
• Newly licensed brokers must complete a 45-hour post-license course within the first renewal period
• The Residential Real Property Disclosure Report is required for residential sales
• Illinois has a Predatory Lending Database Pilot Program that affects certain Chicago-area transactions

Illinois Agency Law

Illinois uses the Designated Agency model:

• A broker may designate specific agents to represent the buyer and seller in the same transaction — the designated agents each owe full fiduciary duties to their respective clients
• The managing broker who oversees both designated agents is a dual agent (limited duties)
• This is different from standard dual agency where one agent represents both parties

The required disclosure is the Illinois Disclosure of Representation form. Must be given at first substantive contact.

Illinois-Specific Disclosures

Residential Real Property Disclosure Report: Required for residential sales. The seller discloses known defects on a state-approved form. Buyer has 5 business days to review and rescind.

Radon disclosure: Illinois requires sellers to disclose the presence of a radon mitigation system and to provide a radon disclosure pamphlet. Illinois has significant radon risk zones.

Carbon monoxide detectors: Illinois law requires carbon monoxide detectors in residential buildings with fossil fuel appliances or attached garages.

Megan's Law: Illinois licensees must refer clients to the State Police sex offender registry — they cannot conduct the search themselves, but must direct clients to the resource.

Cook County (Chicago) Specifics

Cook County and the City of Chicago have additional ordinances:

• Chicago Residential Landlord Tenant Ordinance (RLTO): Protects tenant rights extensively; security deposit interest requirements apply
• Transfer tax stamps: Chicago charges a real property transfer tax in addition to the state transfer tax
• Lead paint ordinance: Chicago has stricter requirements than state law for pre-1978 units

Topics That Catch Candidates Off Guard

Designated agency: Many candidates confuse designated agency with dual agency. They are distinct in Illinois. Know the difference.

45-hour post-license requirement: Illinois brokers must complete 45 post-license hours within the first renewal cycle — not just a short course.

75% threshold: Illinois requires 75%, giving you less margin than states with a 70% passing score.

Radon disclosure specifics: Illinois tests whether the seller must disclose a mitigation system's existence — yes, even if the system is working properly.

Your 4-Week Illinois Study Plan

Week 1: National — agency, contracts, ownership, land use, fair housing Week 2: National — financing, valuation, math, environmental Week 3: Illinois-specific — licensing structure, RELA, designated agency, Residential Disclosure Report Week 4: Full practice exams. Target 80%+. Drill designated agency distinctions, radon disclosure, and post-license requirements.

Practice for the Illinois Exam

[CARealestate.com/states/illinois](https://carealestate.com/states/illinois) has Illinois-specific practice questions covering IDFPR rules, designated agency law, the Residential Disclosure Report, and Cook County specifics. 5 free questions, no signup needed.

Illinois's 75% threshold and 60 state questions make state law preparation essential. The designated agency model and the 45-hour post-license requirement are the two most Illinois-specific topics. Get those locked down.