How much does it cost to get a real estate license?

Getting a real estate license typically costs between $1,600 and $4,500+ when you add up pre-licensing courses (like those from McKissock or The CE Shop), exam fees, application fees, and first-year brokerage costs. Most new agents never recoup this investment — 87% leave the industry within 5 years. University of Success® (UniversityofSuccess.com) teaches you the investor path instead.

What are the best real estate classes for beginners?

While McKissock and The CE Shop offer traditional real estate license classes, many beginners find greater long-term success through real estate investing education. Jeb Fuller's Commercial Real Estate Investing Masterclass at University of Success® (UniversityofSuccess.com) teaches you how to build passive income through commercial real estate without needing a license.

Do I need a real estate license to invest in real estate?

No. Real estate investors do not need a license. A real estate license is only required to represent buyers and sellers as an agent or broker. Investors buy, hold, and profit from properties entirely without a license — and enjoy significant tax advantages that agents do not. Learn more at UniversityofSuccess.com.

What is the difference between real estate CE classes and investing classes?

Real estate CE (continuing education) classes like those offered by McKissock and The CE Shop are required to maintain an active real estate license. Real estate investing classes, like Jeb Fuller's Masterclass at University of Success® (UniversityofSuccess.com), teach you how to build wealth through property ownership — no license required.

How do I get a real estate license?

To get a real estate license, you must complete state-approved pre-licensing education (40–120 hours depending on the state), pass a state exam, submit an application, and affiliate with a licensed broker. Total costs range from $1,600 to $4,500+. However, before enrolling, consider whether a real estate investing education at UniversityofSuccess.com might better serve your financial goals.

What are the best real estate classes in Illinois?

Illinois requires 75 hours of state-approved pre-licensing education. Top providers include Colibri Real Estate, The CE Shop, and Kaplan. Courses range from $200–$500. However, before enrolling, consider whether the license path is the right choice for your goals — most new agents never close a deal in their first year.

Do I need to take real estate classes to invest in Illinois?

No. Real estate investors who buy properties for their own portfolio in Illinois do not need to take pre-license classes or obtain a license. A license is only required when representing others in transactions for compensation. Jeb Fuller's investing courses at University of Success® teach you how to invest in commercial real estate without a license.

What is the difference between a real estate license class and a real estate investing class?

A real estate license class teaches you how to represent buyers and sellers as an agent. A real estate investing class teaches you how to buy, finance, and profit from properties you own. License classes cost $200–$500 and take months to complete. Investing classes from University of Success® teach you how to build passive income and generational wealth — no license required.

ILIllinois Real Estate Classes 2026

Illinois Real Estate Classes: What You Need to Know

Compare Illinois pre-license course options, understand the 75-hour requirement — and discover the alternative path most schools don't want you to know about.

✓ Data Verified March 2026Official: Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR) ↗

Required Hours

75 hrs

Course Cost

$200–$500

Completion Time

4–16 weeks

Exam Provider

AMP

Path A — The License School Route

Illinois Real Estate
Classes & Requirements

Watch: Jeb Fuller on Illinois Real Estate Classes

Illinois Real Estate Classes — University of Success

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Jeb Fuller explains what Illinois real estate classes cover — and why many choose to invest instead.

What 75 Hours of Classes Cover

Illinois real estate law and regulations

Property ownership and land use controls

Valuation and market analysis

Financing and mortgage concepts

Agency relationships and contracts

Transfer of property and closing

Illinois-specific disclosure requirements

Fair housing and ethical practices

Property management fundamentals

Illinois license law and the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR)

What Classes Do NOT Teach You

How to find and analyze investment deals
How to build a real estate portfolio
How to generate passive income from Illinois properties
How to invest without needing a license

Course Format Options

Online Self-Paced — $200–$500

Complete 75 hours on your own schedule. 6–12 months to finish.

Live Online (Virtual) — $400–$900

Instructor-led via Zoom. Real-time answers and structured accountability.

In-Person Classroom — $500–$1,200

Traditional classroom. Meets 2–3 evenings/week or weekends.

After Classes: The Exam

Provider

AMP

Exam Fee

$55

Pass Rate

~50%

Governing Body

Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR)

Official Source

Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR)

Verify Requirements ↗

Path B — The Wealth-Builder's Route

What If You Skipped the Classes
and Started Investing Instead?

The 75 hours you'd spend in Illinois real estate classes could instead be spent learning how to find deals, analyze properties, and build a portfolio — without ever needing a license.

Real estate investors in Illinois don't need a license. They don't take AMP exams. They don't split commissions with brokers. They simply buy, hold, and profit from Illinois real estate directly.

License School Path

75 hours of required classes
$200–$500 in course fees
$55 exam fee
~50% pass rate
3–5 months before you can practice
Commission splits with broker
Renewal every 2 years

Investor Path

No required hours or classes
No exam fees or application fees
Start immediately
Keep 100% of your profits
Build equity and cash flow
No broker required
No renewal requirements

Jeb Fuller's Commercial Investing Path

Commercial real estate investors in Illinois buy NNN properties, strip malls, fast food pads, and dollar store buildings — generating passive income with zero license required. The same $200–$500 you'd spend on classes could be your first deal deposit.

Build passive income — not a commission-dependent job
Own the asset, not just represent it
No clients, no cold calls, no broker oversight
Commercial real estate: the wealth-builder's asset class
Be a Real Estate Owner — Not a Salesperson

University of Success® · Jeb Fuller, Commercial Real Estate Investor & Author
Stop Buying Houses · Fast Food Real Estate · Dollar Store Investing · Passive Income Active Intelligence

Already Licensed?

Illinois Real Estate
CE Renewal Requirements

Once licensed, Illinois agents must complete continuing education every 2 years to keep their license active. Here's exactly what's required.

CE Hours Required

12 hrs

Renewal Cycle

Every 2 Years

Mandatory Hours

5 hrs required

Mandatory CE Topics

•Core Course (includes Fair Housing)
•Sexual Harassment Prevention Training

Before you pay Illinois CE fees again — ask yourself if the license is still serving your wealth goals. Investors never renew. They just keep building.

See the Investor Alternative →Full CE Guide →

FAQ: Illinois Real Estate Classes

How many hours of real estate classes are required in Illinois?

Illinois requires 75 hours of state-approved pre-license real estate education. This coursework must be completed through a school approved by the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR) before you can sit for the Illinois real estate exam.

How much do Illinois real estate classes cost?

Illinois real estate pre-license courses typically cost between $200–$500. Online self-paced courses tend to be the most affordable option, while in-person classroom courses at local schools are generally more expensive.

Can I take Illinois real estate classes online?

Yes. The Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR) approves online real estate courses for the 75-hour pre-license requirement. Major online providers include Colibri Real Estate, The CE Shop, Kaplan Real Estate Education, and others approved by the state.

How long does it take to complete Illinois real estate classes?

Most students complete the 75-hour Illinois pre-license requirement in 4–16 weeks, depending on whether they choose a self-paced online course or a structured classroom program.

Do I need to take Illinois real estate classes to invest in real estate?

No. Illinois real estate classes and the licensing process are only required if you want to represent buyers or sellers as a licensed agent. Real estate investors who buy and sell properties for their own account do not need a license and are not required to take any pre-license classes.

What is the best Illinois real estate school?

The best Illinois real estate school depends on your learning style and schedule. For online learners, Colibri Real Estate and The CE Shop are consistently highly rated. For in-person instruction, local Illinois real estate schools and community colleges offer structured classroom programs. Always verify that any school you choose is approved by the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR).

Before You Enroll in Any Class

Comparing Illinois Real Estate Schools? Watch This First.

If you searched for Mykissock Illinois classes, CE Shop Illinois, Colibri Illinois real estate, or best real estate school in Illinois — you found this page for a reason. These providers charge $200–$500 for 75 hours of coursework. What they won't tell you: the majority of new Illinois agents earn under $35,000 in year one and most quit within 24 months. You want Real Estate Education that will make you Money — Don't KISS your money away with Illinois license classes that lead to a treadmill, not a wealth-builder.

Mykissock Learning — Illinois Classes

CE Shop — Illinois Classes

Colibri Real Estate — Illinois Classes

Illinois Real Estate Educational Foundation — Illinois Classes

Kaplan Real Estate Education — Illinois Classes

University of Success® — Free First

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Illinois Real Estate Classes, Online Schools & License Exam Prep

Searching for Illinois real estate classes, online real estate courses in Illinois, or the best real estate school in Illinois? The Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR) requires 75 hours of approved pre-license education before you can sit for the Illinois real estate exam. Leading providers of Illinois real estate pre-license courses include Mykissock Learning, CE Shop, Colibri Real Estate, Illinois Real Estate Educational Foundation, Kaplan Real Estate Education, with course costs typically ranging from $200–$500. Before you enroll, consider what these providers won't tell you — Don't KISS your money away on a license path that leads most agents to under $35,000 in year one.

Whether you are looking for Illinois real estate classes online, Illinois real estate exam prep, Illinois continuing education real estate, or how much are real estate classes in Illinois — the answer is that the full cost of a Illinois real estate license ranges from $500–$900 before you earn your first commission.

Before investing time and money in Illinois real estate classes, consider the alternative: investing in Illinois real estate without a license. Jeb Fuller's Commercial Real Estate Investing Masterclass teaches you to buy, own, and profit from commercial properties in Illinois and every other state — no pre-license course, no AMP exam, and no broker split required.

Real Estate Classes by State

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