• CHART: Salesperson transitioning to broker (pdf)

For salesperson licenses, there will be no renewal as of April 30, 2011. All Illinois real estate salesperson licenses will be extended until April 30, 2012, at which time the licenses expire. Thus, salesperson licensees will have three years between renewals. For that reason, there will be a general requirement of 18 hours of CE in order to renew on April 30, 2012 unless the licensee completes the 30 hour transition course and passes the related exam.

If you are a salesperson as of April 30, 2011 that you will have one year to transition to the broker category. This will require you to consider two options:

1. Take a proficiency exam and pass the exam (Note: There are no retakes on the proficiency exams.)

OR

2. Complete a 30-hour course and pass the related exam (Note: There are retakes on the 30-hour course exam.)

A salesperson can also try to pass the proficiency exam and, if unsuccessful, can then proceed to take the 30-hour transition course and related exam.

Questions for Salesperson License Holders

Q: Must I renew my salesperson’s license by April 30, 2011?
No. The salesperson license renewal date is extended from April 30, 2011 to April 30, 2012. There will be no new salespersons’ licenses issued, renewed or reinstated by IDFPR after April 30, 2011.

Q: What if someone wants to become a salesperson between now and April 30, 2011?
The requirements remain the same; the caveat is that the license will no longer exist after April 30, 2012. Requirements include: must be at least 21 years old (18 in some cases), good moral character, have a high school degree or its equivalent, 45 hours of pre-license education (licensed attorneys in good standing are exempt from pre-license education), take and pass a written exam, complete an application for license with a sponsor card and pay fees.

Q: Must a partner hold a “managing broker” or “broker” license?
Any partner in a licensed real estate partnership must be a managing broker or broker. In an LLP or LLC, any managing partner or member must hold a managing broker or broker’s license. No salesperson, leasing agent or group of salespersons or leasing agents may own more than 49% of a licensed real estate company. So, after April 30, 2012, this limit will apply to leasing agents only because the salesperson’s license goes away. Also note that if a licensed real estate brokerage entity is owned by broker licensee(s), there must be a managing broker licensee in place to manage the real estate brokerage business of that entity. Also, if the licensed real estate brokerage is a sole proprietor, that individual must hold a managing broker’s license.

Q: What are requirements for a broker license?
Must be at least 21 years old. After April 30, 2011, this requirement can be waived if 18 years old and have met certain educational requirements:

• Good moral character
• High school degree or its equivalent

Before May 1, 2011:

• 120 classroom hours
• 45 hours are those to become salesperson plus 15 hours in brokerage administration; and
• If salesperson, 75 hours above the 45 to become a salesperson.

After April 30, 2011:

• 90 hours of instruction – 15 of which are case studies/situational type in classroom or some interactive delivery method.
• Take and pass written exam
• Application with sponsor card and fee
• 30 hours of post-license education taken before first renewal

Illinois attorneys in good standing are exempt from the pre-license education requirements. 

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