All licensees must be sponsored by a licensed sponsoring broker/firm to practice.
Before you read
Test yourself first: 5 questions
Question 1 of 5
Which of the following disciplinary actions is within IDFPR's authority against an Illinois licensee found in violation of the Act?
Answer: B. IDFPR may suspend or revoke a license, censure, place on probation, and impose civil fines. Criminal penalties such as jail are imposed by courts, not the regulator.
Question 2 of 5
During an investigation, IDFPR's authority to compel a licensee to produce records and testimony is typically exercised through which power?
Answer: A. The regulator may issue subpoenas to compel production of documents and testimony as part of an investigation or hearing.
Question 3 of 5
Which agency licenses and regulates real estate professionals in Illinois?
Answer: A. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), through its Division of Real Estate, licenses and regulates real estate licensees in Illinois.
Question 4 of 5
What is the entry-level real estate license in Illinois called?
Answer: B. Illinois eliminated the 'salesperson' license; the entry-level license is now called a 'broker,' while the supervising license is a 'managing broker.'
Question 5 of 5
How many hours of pre-license education are required for an Illinois broker license?
Answer: C. Illinois requires 75 hours of approved broker pre-licensing education (topics plus an interactive/applied component).
Keep the streak going with more questions like these, each with a full rationale.
Must-know rules
- Regulator: IDFPR — Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Real Estate.
- Governing law: Real Estate License Act of 2000 (RELA).
- Entry-level license = BROKER (the salesperson license was eliminated in 2011).
- Supervisor/firm sponsor license = MANAGING BROKER.
- Pre-license education for the Broker license: 75 hours.
- All licensees must be sponsored by a licensed sponsoring broker/firm to practice.
- A managing broker is required to supervise a sponsoring brokerage office.
- Disciplinary authority (investigation, fines, suspension, revocation) rests with IDFPR/Division of Real Estate.
Illinois License Law & Regulator Quick Sheet: FAQs
Is Illinois License Law & Regulator Quick Sheet on the real estate exam?
Yes. State License Law is a scored domain on the Illinois real estate licensing exam, and this topic appears in the state license-law portion.
Is this cheat sheet free?
Yes — every page on Cinna RE's resource library is free to read, print and share. The app adds practice questions, mock exams and a readiness score.
Does Illinois test this differently?
Illinois applies its own license law on top of the national portion. This page covers the Illinois rules specifically, which is what the state section of your exam tests.
