Illinois Real Estate Agent Continuing Education Requirements
Illinois real estate agents must complete 12 hours of board-approved continuing education every 2 years, as required by Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Real Estate.
Requirements differ by license class — 12 hours for Real Estate Managing Broker · 8 hours for Residential Leasing Agent · 6 hours for Real Estate Broker.
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Getting licensed for the first time? Illinois requires 75 hours of pre-license education before you can apply.
See the requirementRequirements at a glance
What Illinois requires of real estate agents
Set by Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Real Estate
- CE hours required
- 12 hours
- per renewal 2 years
- Renewal cycle
- Every 2 years
- License classes
- 3 requirement levels
- Exam to renew
- Not required
Find your license class
Illinois real estate agents renew by license class
Illinois sets different hour requirements for different licenses. Pick the course built for yours.
- 1 license class
12 hours
of board-approved CE every 2 years
- Real Estate Managing Broker
Course for this class is in board review.
Browse catalog - 1 license class
8 hours
of board-approved CE every 2 years
- Residential Leasing Agent
Course for this class is in board review.
Browse catalog - 1 license class
6 hours
of board-approved CE every 2 years
- Real Estate Broker
Course for this class is in board review.
Browse catalog
Required subject matter
Topics Illinois real estate agents must cover
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Real Estate requires these subjects within your CE hours. Every course above is planned to include them.
6-hour Core CE course
Sexual Harassment Prevention Training (1 hr, counted toward electives)
Electives (6 hrs)
Managing brokers: 12-hour Broker Management CE curriculum
How renewal works
From course to renewed license in Illinois
- Step 1
Pick the course for your license class
Each course above is planned to the 12 hours and topics Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Real Estate requires.
- Step 2
Complete it online, at your pace
Timed lessons and checkpoints record your seat time so the hours hold up to an audit.
- Step 3
Download your certificate instantly
Your certificate lists the approved hours and completion date the moment you pass.
- Step 4
Renew with the board
Keep your certificate — the board verifies completion on renewal or audit. Then renew every 2 years through the board.
Renewing soon? Read the step-by-step guide: How to renew your Illinois real estate agent license.
Questions Illinois real estate agents ask
Frequently asked questions
- How many continuing education hours do Illinois real estate agents need?
- Illinois real estate agents must complete 12 hours of board-approved continuing education every 2 years, as set by Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Real Estate.
- Which license types have different CE requirements in Illinois?
- Requirements differ by license class in Illinois: 12 hours for Real Estate Managing Broker; 8 hours for Residential Leasing Agent; 6 hours for Real Estate Broker.
- What topics are required for Illinois real estate agents continuing education?
- Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Real Estate requires coverage of: 6-hour Core CE course; Sexual Harassment Prevention Training (1 hr, counted toward electives); Electives (6 hrs); Managing brokers: 12-hour Broker Management CE curriculum.
- Can Illinois real estate agents complete continuing education online?
- Yes. Board-approved online courses count toward the Illinois requirement; timed seat-time and completion records satisfy audit requirements.
Official Illinois real estate agents licensing resources
- Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Real Estate
The Illinois board that licenses real estate agents and sets the CE rule.
- Renewal and application portal
Where licensees renew and where CE completions are checked.
Requirements on this page come from Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Real Estate’s published rules and were last verified on September 4, 2026. Always confirm your renewal date with the board.
Why Illinois professionals choose us
Illinois real estate agents CE, done right
Every real estate agents course is built to meet Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Real Estate requirements so the credit you earn actually counts toward your renewal.
Built to the board rule
Every course is planned to the exact hours and mandated topics the state publishes, so the credit you earn counts toward renewal.
Instant certificate
Finish the assessment and download your certificate of completion the moment you pass — no waiting.
Credit reported for you
Where the board supports it, we report your earned CE hours directly so you do not have to.
Learn at your own pace
Work on any device, start and stop anytime. Your progress saves automatically as you go.
More trades in Illinois
Other Illinois continuing education
Browse CE for other licensed trades in Illinois.
Renew your Illinois real estate agents license on time
12 hours every 2 years — completed online, with an instant certificate and a money-back guarantee.