- After passing the state exam, a formal application for licensure needs to be made to the state.
- Prior to receiving the actual license and pocket card in the mail, a person who has just passed the licensing exam still may practice real estate as long as that person has a sponsor card.
- After passing the state exam, the person is given a blank sponsor card at the testing site with her picture on it. When completed by a sponsoring broker, this sponsor card is valid for 45 days while the wall license and pocket card are being processed.
Once a brokerage company has been selected by the person who has passed the State Real Estate Broker Exam, the sponsoring broker:
- signs the card,
- makes a copy for the Department and for office records,
- sends the License Application and a copy of the sponsor card to the Department within 24 hours of issuing the sponsor card.
- The sponsor card certifies the bearer’s relationship with the sponsoring broker and serves as a temporary permit to practice real estate.
- The license will specify whether the individual is authorized to act as a broker, managing broker, or leasing agent.
- In addition to issuing the license, the Department issues a pocket card to each licensee. This card
authorizes the bearer to engage in appropriate licensed activities for the current license period. - Licensees must carry this card when engaging in any of the activities for which a license is required by Illinois The pocket card must be displayed on request.
What Happens to Your License When You Change or Leave Firms? (Section 5-40)
Old Broker
When a licensee quits or the sponsoring broker or a managing broker terminates the licensee’s employment with the sponsoring broker for any reason, the licensee must obtain her license from the employing broker at whose firm it has been kept.
- The employing broker signs the license, which indicates that the relationship has been terminated.
- The broker gives the licensee the original, signed license.
- The broker must send the Department a copy of the signed license within two days of the termination
- The signed license automatically becomes inoperative, as does the licensee’s ability to practice real estate, unless she accepts employment with a new sponsoring broker.
New Broker
If the licensee is simply changing brokers, the new sponsoring broker will :
- immediately complete a sponsor card for the licensee to carry until a new license and pocket card (with the new firm’s name indicated as sponsor) arrives.
- prepare and send a duplicate sponsor card to the Department for this transition period within 24 hours of sponsorship, along with the original signed license from the previous sponsoring broker and the required fee.
Change of Address, Name, or Business Information (Section 5-41)
It is the licensee’s responsibility to promptly notify the Department of any
- change of name, address, or office location.
- When a licensee acquires or transfers any interest in a corporation, LLC, partnership, or LLP that is licensed under the Real Estate License Act of 2000, appropriate change of business information must be filed with the Department.
- Additionally, any changes in managing brokers, branch managers, or principal officers must be reported in writing to the Department within 15 days after the change.
Expiration and Renewal
License expiration and renewal dates are established by rule, consistent with the Act; Licenses may be renewed – by paying required fees and meeting CE requirements—up to 90 days prior to expiration of the license.
Brokers, managing brokers, and leasing agents may renew their expired licenses (provided they pay the necessary fees and meet the continuing education and other requirements) for up to two years following license expiration. Beyond this two-year period, licensees will be required to meet the qualifications for new licenses set out by the Act.
Nonresidents and License by Reciprocity (Section 5-60)
A managing broker or broker who lives in a state that has a reciprocal licensing agreement with Illinois may be issued an Illinois license ( or an Illinois Licensee may be issued a license in the state offering reciprocity) if the following conditions are met. The key feature of Reciprocity is that the Licensee does not have to live in the state offering reciprocity – Illinois Licensee do not have to live in the states offering reciprocity and licensees living in other states offering reciprocity do not have to live in Illinois.
- For a reciprocal broker or managing broker’s license the broker or managing broker holds a broker or managing broker’s license in her home state,
- the licensing standards of that state are substantially equivalent to or greater than the minimum standards required in Illinois,
- the managing broker or broker has been actively practicing as a managing broker or broker for at least two years immediately prior to the application date,
- the managing broker or broker furnishes the Department with an official statement, under seal, from her home state’s licensing authority that the managing broker or broker has an active managing broker’s or broker’s license, is in good standing, and has no complaints pending,
- the managing broker’s or broker’s home state grants reciprocal privileges to Illinois licensees,
- the managing broker or broker completes a course of education and passes a test on Illinois-specific real estate brokerage laws or the real estate brokerage laws of the state where the Illinois licensee wishes to do business.
Currently, Illinois has reciprocity with the following states under the Real Estate License Act of 2000:
- Nebraska,
- South Dakota,
- Colorado,
- Connecticut,
- Indiana,
- Iowa,
- Georgia,
- Wisconsin,
- Florida.
Always check the Department Web site for the latest update on reciprocal states.
Before a nonresident managing broker or broker will be issued a license, the applicant must file a designation (Person) in writing to act as her agent in Illinois. Additionally, she must agree that all judicial or other process or legal notices directed to the nonresident may be served on the designee. Service upon the agent so designated is equivalent to personal service on the nonresident licensee.
Nonresidents applying for an Illinois license must furnish the Department with proof of active licensure in their home state. They also must pay the same license fees that are required of resident brokers and managing brokers. Prospective nonresident licensees must agree in writing to abide by all provisions of the Act and to submit to the Department’s jurisdiction.
However, once acquired, the reciprocal license allows a new resident who has recently been working under a nonresident license to obtain a valid resident’s license without examination. Licenses previously granted under reciprocal agreements with other states shall remain in force “so long as the Department has a reciprocal agreement with that state.”
Renewal without Fee (Section 5-50)
Licensees whose licenses have expired may renew without paying any lapsed renewal or reinstatement fees if the license expired within two years after the termination of the service, training, or education while the licensee was performing any of the following functions:
- On active duty with the U.S. armed services or called into the service or training by the state militia
- Engaged in training or education under supervision of the United States prior to induction into military service
- Serving as the Coordinator of Real Estate in Illinois or as an employee of the Department
