140 questions (100 national + 40 IL) · 150 + 90 minutes · 70% national, 75% state · $58 exam fee · IDFPR
Format, passing rule, fees, what the IL portion covers, and 3,300+ free practice questions — verified against the PSI candidate materials.
Illinois licensing is overseen by the IDFPR, requiring candidates to complete pre-license education and pass a state exam. Chicago's robust market and the state's varied suburban and rural regions provide steady demand for licensed real estate professionals.
| Salesperson Exam | Exam Fee | Licensing Authority | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 140 Q / 240 min / 70% pass | $58 | IDFPR | Per IDFPR |
Source: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation · Salary data: BLS OEWS · Our methodology
From the PSI content outline · candidate handbook · verified 2026-09-18
| Area | Weight | |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing requirements | 10% | |
| Illinois Real Estate License Act | 40% | |
| Additional Illinois laws and regulations affecting practice | 25% | |
| Disclosures | 25% | |
| Total scored Illinois questions | 40 |
Two different passing marks: 70% on the national portion (100 items, 150 minutes) and 75% on the Illinois state portion (40 items, 90 minutes). Each is scored on its own, and you repeat only the portion you failed.
150 minutes for the national portion plus 90 minutes for the Illinois portion — 240 minutes total
Reapply through PSI and repeat only the portion you failed. Up to four attempts in the two-year eligibility period; after the fourth failure you must retake the 75-hour prelicense course. Education-exempt candidates are excused from that requirement.
Pre-license education: 75 hours. Prelicense education is valid for two years from the date you complete it. Fail four times and you retake the entire 75-hour course.
The state-specific points that show up as questions. Each cites where it comes from.
Two portions, two different passing scores
The national portion needs 70%; the Illinois portion needs 75%. They are scored separately, so a 72% overall tells you nothing — you can clear the national bar and still fail the state one. If you fail a portion you repeat only that portion.
Source: PSI bulletin, Examination Summary Table and Re-taking a Failed Portion
Four attempts, then back to school
You get up to four attempts inside your two-year eligibility period. After a fourth failure you must retake the full 75-hour broker prelicense education before testing again. This is the hardest deadline in the Illinois process and most prep sites do not mention it.
Source: PSI bulletin, Re-taking a Failed Portion
In Illinois the entry-level license is called "Broker"
There is no salesperson license here. The first license is Broker; the supervisory license is Managing Broker. Study materials written for other states will call this the salesperson exam — it is the same level.
Source: PSI bulletin, Examination Summary Table
Prelicense education expires in two years
The bulletin repeats this on every qualification path, in capitals: the education is valid for two years after the date you satisfactorily complete it. Let it lapse and the course does not count.
Source: PSI bulletin, Examination Eligibility
Experimental questions eat your clock
Five to ten unscored experimental questions may be added. They do not affect your score but they do count against your exam time. Budget for a few more questions than the outline promises.
Source: PSI bulletin, Experimental Questions
Some state questions have more than four options and only one best answer
Illinois uses scenario-based items on the managing broker and instructor national portions where several options are defensible but only one is optimal — options are weighted zero, one or two points. Read for the most complete resolution, not merely a correct statement.
Source: PSI bulletin, Description of Examinations
Launch within 30 minutes, start within 15
An online test can be launched within 30 minutes of your booked time, but not starting within 15 minutes of the appointment forfeits the attempt and the fee. The fee is never refundable or transferable.
Source: PSI bulletin, Scheduling and Examination Fee
Practice the Illinois portion
State-specific questions with the rule behind each answer.
Sources
Exam facts on this page were checked against these sources on 2026-09-18. Exam fees and formats change; the candidate handbook is authoritative.
Looking for a IL exam PDF?
IDFPR publishes the official format online rather than as a downloadable PDF. The practice questions below come with explanations, which a printed answer key cannot give you.
Take a full 140-question timed mock exam that simulates the actual Illinois licensing test. Get instant feedback and detailed explanations.
IDFPR increased the state exam fee from $55 to $58 effective August 2024.
Official SourceIllinois implemented a new online license renewal system with enhanced verification procedures.
Note: This information is for reference only. Always verify current requirements with the IDFPR.
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
(IDFPR)
$58
per exam attempt
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Requirements:
Requirements:
The Illinois real estate exam has a first-time pass rate of approximately 55%. The salesperson exam consists of 140 scored questions with a pass point of 70. With EstatePass practice tests, our students achieve a 94% pass rate.
The Illinois salesperson exam has 140 scored questions with 240 minutes to complete (about 1.7 minutes per question). The broker exam has its own format; see the IDFPR candidate handbook. The pass point is 70.
Illinois real estate license costs include: exam fee ($58), pre-license courses ($200-$500), license application fee ($100-$300), and background check ($50-$100). Total budget: approximately $400-$1,000.
Illinois licenses renew on a fixed cycle with a continuing-education requirement, both set by Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Check IDFPR for the current renewal period and CE hours.
The Illinois salesperson exam is 240 minutes (4 hours) for 140 questions. The broker exam has its own time limit; see the IDFPR candidate handbook. Plan to arrive 30 minutes early for check-in.
Most Illinois candidates complete the licensing process in 2-4 months. This includes completing required pre-license education, passing the state exam administered under IDFPR, and submitting your license application.
Illinois real estate exams are typically administered at approved testing centers by PSI or Pearson VUE. Some states allow remote proctored exams. Check with IDFPR for current online testing options and requirements.
The Illinois real estate exam covers both national and state-specific topics. National topics include property ownership, contracts, financing, agency law, valuation, transfer of title, and real estate math. The IL-specific section covers Illinois license law, regulations from IDFPR, and state-specific disclosure requirements.
The most effective study strategy for the Illinois exam includes: (1) completing your pre-license education with active note-taking, (2) practicing with Illinois-specific practice exams, (3) focusing on your weak topics identified through practice tests, (4) taking timed mock exams to build test stamina, and (5) reviewing IL-specific laws and regulations from IDFPR.
You must pay the $58 exam fee for each attempt and typically wait at least 24-48 hours before rescheduling. Attempt limits and whether a failed portion can be retaken on its own are set by IDFPR. Your pre-license education completion is usually valid for 1-2 years, so you should pass within that window.
The pass point for the Illinois salesperson exam is 70. Where the exam has separate national and state portions, each portion is passed on its own; where the state reports a scaled score, 70 is the scaled pass point rather than a percentage of questions. The state average first-time pass rate is 55%, so thorough preparation is essential.
Yes, the Illinois real estate exam is entirely multiple choice with four answer options per question. The salesperson exam has 140 questions; the broker exam length is published by IDFPR. There are no essay, fill-in-the-blank, or practical components.
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