Illinois Real Estate License Transition Info

Don't be confused. The Proficiency Exam Makes It Easy to Transition Your License!

The recent Illinois real estate license law change gives you one of two options* in order to keep your real estate license active - Either take a Transition Course with 30 or more hours and an exam at the end, or simply take a Proficiency Examination. For most licensees, the fastest, easiest, and most affordable solution is the Proficiency Exam. Good news! We make it easy for you through our online prep course.

*More about your Two Options:
All licensees in Illinois have until April 2012 to transition their licenses. You have two options for completing this requirement:

The Proficiency Exam (Recommended)
Licensees who want to transition their license the fastest and easiest way will take a Proficiency Exam Preparation course and practice exams, and then take the official Proficiency Exam. This is the quickest and least expensive way to transition your license. The Proficiency Exam:

• Contains 50 multiple-choice questions for salespersons and 70 questions for brokers.
• Must be passed on the first attempt.
• Has a passing score of 75%.
• Can only be administered by AMP or approved Illinois pre-license schools.
• Licensees who pass the exam will have satisfied the new requirements to transition their license.
• If you do not pass, you will be required to take the transition course.

Salesperson to Broker Transition Course
Licensees who do not take and pass the Proficiency Exam, and who plan to transition their license from salesperson to broker must complete both an IDFPR-approved Transition Course, as well pass an IDFPR-approved course examination and make application to the IDFPR, by April 30, 2012.

• The Salesperson to Broker Transition course is 30-hours.
• Courses can be a combination of self-study (15-hours) and live coursework (15-hours).
• Licensees must pass an IDFPR-approved proctored course exam for each section.

Broker to Managing Broker Transition Course
Licensees who do not take and pass the Proficiency Exam, and who plan to transition their license from salesperson to broker must complete both an IDFPR-approved Transition Course, as well pass an IDFPR-approved course examination and make application to the IDFPR, by April 30, 2012.

• The Broker to Managing Broker Transition course is 45-hours.
• Courses can be a combination of self-study (30-hours) and live coursework (15-hours).
• Licensees must pass an IDFPR-approved proctored course exam for each section.

Existing Broker to New Broker (not transitioning to Managing Broker)

• Hold an active Illinois Broker license on April 30, 2011
• Complete 12-hours of CE by 4/30/12
• Renew your Broker license with the IDFPR by 4/30/12

To view the IDFPR Transition options, click one of the links below:

• Transition from Salesperson to Broker License
• Transition from Broker to Managing Broker or from Broker to New Broker

FAQ

1. What is this "transition" all about?
   

   Illinois has recently legislated expanded licensing requirements for real estate professionals. In addition, Illinois has replaced the traditional "salesperson" nomenclature with "broker". Existing real estate brokers hold a "managerial" license that has allowed them to sponsor other licensees or sponsor their own license. The new real estate broker license will not offer these options. Additionally, by mandating that current licensees either prepare for and take a Proficiency Exam, or take the transition course and exam, all licensees will be exposed to the latest and most important parts of the license law and practices.

   
   
   
2. What if I do nothing between now and April, 2012? Will my license expire? Must I do one of the two options to remain licensed?
   

   Yes, your license will expire. The new license law calls for all salesperson licensees to transition to a new license type - real estate broker. It's important to note that this is a new license type, which differs from the license held by existing Illinois real estate brokers.

   
   
   
3. What will happen to existing brokers who require a "managerial" level license?
   

   Those licensees will be permitted to transition to another new license type - managing broker.

   
   
   
4. By what date must salespersons complete the transition?
   

   All salespersons must complete the transition by April 30, 2012. To accommodate this schedule, the expiration date for all existing licenses has been extended to this same date

   
   
   
5. What is required for a salesperson licensee to complete the transition to real estate broker?
   

   The salesperson must do one of the following:

   • Successfully pass a proficiency examination (no retakes, must pass first time); or,
   • Complete a 30-hour license transition course.

   After satisfying one of the above requirements, licensees will be required to complete certain documentation in order to notify the IDFPR that the process is complete. Salesperson licensees must transition to broker and renew their license (cannot do both at once). The transition fee is $125.00; renewal fee is $150.00.

   
   
   
6. What will happen to existing brokers who simply want to remain brokers without any supervisory responsibilities?
   

   Existing brokers who do not want to transition to managing brokers have no transition requirements.

   
   
   
7. What is required for a broker licensee to complete the transition to the new managing broker license?
   

   The broker must do one of the following:

   • Successfully pass a proficiency examination (no retakes, must pass first time); or,
   • Complete a 45-hour license transition course.

   After satisfying one of the above requirements, licensees will be required to complete certain documentation in order to notify the IDFPR that the process is complete. Broker licensees wishing to transition to managing broker must transition by April 30,2012, and renew their license (cannot do both at once). The transition fee is $125.00; renewal fee is $150.00