Pass Your Illinois Real Estate Exam the First Time
Illinois has massive fines ($25k+) for unlicensed practice and very specific "Substantive Contact" timing for disclosures.
Questions
140
100 NAT / 40 STATE
To Pass
70%
PASS BOTH PORTIONS INDEPENDENTLY
Time Limit
4 Hrs
240 TOTAL MINUTES
Provider
PSI
IDFPR
Pass your Illinois Broker, Managing Broker or Residential Leasing Agent License
Illinois uses ‘Broker’ as its entry level license and structures the entire agency system around statutory duties that differ from the fiduciary model most candidates studied.
Candidates who learned agency law from national prep materials arrive with the wrong framework for Illinois. The IDFPR exam tests a statutory system, and the distinction between what is permitted versus prohibited in that structure is not something AI generated content handles correctly. Generic tools recycle national patterns. Illinois does not follow the national pattern.
The License Professor was written by licensed Illinois professionals who know what the PSI state portion actually tests. Every question on Illinois statutory agency structure, brokerage documentation requirements, and disciplinary procedures is grounded in Illinois statute and IDFPR rule.
Illinois Sample Exams
Experience the real study interface — no account required.
Broker
Individuals new to real estate who want to start their career helping clients buy and sell property
Managing Broker
Experienced professionals who want to manage a brokerage office and supervise other agents
Residential Leasing Agent
Individuals who only want to handle residential leasing/rental transactions rather than sales
Three Topics that Trip Up Illinois Students Most
Dual Agency Disclosures
Illinois requires a two-step process — first a consent form, then a confirmation form — each needing separate signatures with copies retained for five years, and the exam tests the timing, two-document requirement, and prohibition against dual agency when the licensee is a party to the transaction.
Read more →Ministerial Acts vs. Fiduciary
Illinois is a statutory agency state where licensees may perform limited "ministerial acts" for the non-client customer — the exam tests whether ministerial acts create an agency relationship (they do not) and what happens if a licensee tries to contract away statutory duties.
Real Estate Recovery Fund
The Fund caps claims at $50,000 per aggrieved person with a two-year statute of limitations — the exam tests whether you need a court judgment first and the distinction between damages from a licensed agent versus an unlicensed employee.
The Illinois Real Estate License Professor includes specialized deep dives for each of these.
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Illinois Real Estate Practice Questions
Sample questions from the Illinois real estate exam — with answers and explanations.
1. An Illinois municipality needs a stretch of farmland to extend a runway, but the family that owns it won't negotiate a sale. What power allows the city to proceed?
- A.Adverse possession.
- B.The police power.
- C.Eminent domain.
- D.A quitclaim deed.
2. A seller is required to provide a real property disclosure report to the buyer in all of the following transactions EXCEPT:
- A.for a sale of commercial property.
- B.when the buyer has lived on the property as a tenant.
- C.when the seller has not resided on the property in the last year.
- D.when the seller is not assisted by a licensed real estate agent.
3. Which is NOT a protected class under the Illinois Human Rights Act?
- A.Investment portfolio value
- B.Military status
- C.Sexual orientation
- D.Marital status
More on Illinois Licensing
Deeper reading on the topics that matter most for Illinois candidates.
How to Get Your Illinois License
Requirements, costs, and steps to get licensed in Illinois.
Read more →Illinois Exam Study Plan
A realistic plan to pass the Illinois real estate exam.
Read more →How to Choose Illinois Real Estate Exam Prep (2026)
Illinois has no salesperson license: you take the broker exam, 140 questions with a heavy state portion. Matt Wilson explains how to pick prep that matches it.
Read more →Illinois Still Uses a Two Step Dual Agency Consent Process
Illinois dual agency requires a two step written consent process with separate documents at each stage. The exam tests both steps and the timing between them.
Read more →
Illinois Real Estate Exam Structure: What to Expect
The Illinois Broker exam combines 100 national questions and 40 state-specific questions in 240 minutes.
Question breakdown
National portion: 100 questions, 150 minutes
Standard PSI national content. Illinois's national portion is larger than most states' — 100 questions versus the more typical 80.
Illinois portion: 40 questions, 90 minutes
Topics:
- IL license law (RELA) (10-12 questions)
- Designated agency (5-7 questions)
- Property disclosures (4-6 questions)
- Trust accounts (3-5 questions)
- Chicago-specific issues (3-4 questions)
- Real estate practice (5-7 questions)
Independent portion scoring
Illinois does NOT combine the two portions into one score. Each is graded independently, and you must pass both: 70 of 100 correct (70%) on the national portion, and 30 of 40 correct (75%) on the state portion. Fail one and you only retake that portion — up to four total attempts before you're required to redo pre-licensing education and retake the entire exam.
Time management
240 minutes for 140 questions = about 103 seconds per question overall (150 min / 100 questions on the national portion, 90 min / 40 questions on the state portion). Moderate pacing.
Cost structure
- Pre-licensing (75 hours): $400-$800
- Exam: $55
- License: $125
- Background check: ~$50
- Total: $630-$1,030
Retake rules
If you fail one portion, you only retake that portion — not the whole exam. Up to four total attempts are allowed before you must redo pre-licensing education and retake everything. $55 per attempt.
Topics Covered on the Illinois Real Estate Exam
National Exam Topics (80 questions)
- Property Ownership — Estates, deeds, easements
- Land Use — Zoning, government powers
- Valuation — Three approaches, CMA
- Financing — Mortgages, FHA/VA, RESPA, TILA
- Agency — Agency relationships
- Contracts — Listing agreements, purchase contracts
- Closing — Closing procedures, prorations
- Practice — Working with buyers and sellers, fair housing, math
Illinois State Exam Topics (60 questions)
- Illinois Real Estate License Act (RELA) — License categories, Sponsoring Broker, advertising
- Designated Agency — Illinois's framework for representing both parties via different agents
- Trust Accounts — Broker trust account rules
- Property Disclosures — Illinois Residential Real Property Disclosure Report
- Chicago-Specific Issues — RLTO, transfer taxes, condo declarations
Why this list matters
Each state topic generates 6-12 questions. Illinois's 60-question state portion outweighs most states. Master designated agency and RELA.
What this list doesn't tell you
PSI writes scenario-based questions. Practice questions, not just topic review.
Illinois Exam FAQ
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