Illinois Real Estate Agent / Broker Continuing Education Requirements
Requirements Overview
Illinois requires real estate brokers to complete 12 hours of continuing education each biennial renewal cycle. The 6-hour Core course covers license law, agency, brokerage agreements, disclosures, escrow, advertising, and fair housing. The remaining 6 elective hours must include a 1-hour Sexual Harassment Prevention Training course taken through an IDFPR-approved provider.
Managing brokers face a heavier requirement of 24 hours per cycle: the 12-hour Broker Management CE course plus the standard 6-hour Core and 6 hours of electives. Notably, the SHPT segment within the Broker Management course does not satisfy the separate SHPT renewal requirement — a standalone approved course is needed.
Brokers renew on even-numbered years with an April 30 deadline, while managing brokers renew on odd-numbered years. First-renewal brokers licensed between November 2023 and October 2025 must complete 45 hours of post-license education, which is a distinct program from standard CE.
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core Curriculum (License Law, Agency, Brokerage Agreements & Disclosures, Escrow, Advertising, Fair Housing) | 6 | Every renewal | Single core curriculum per Section 5-70(e) of the Real Estate License Act of 2000. Must be provided in classroom, live interactive webinar, or online distance education format. |
| Fair Housing | 2 | Every renewal | Minimum 2 credit hours within the 6-hour Core course. Must include discussion of recent HUD guidance and amendments to protected classes. |
| Sexual Harassment Prevention Training | 1 | Every renewal | May be counted towards elective hours if completed through an approved education provider. For post-license education (first renewal), the 1-hour SHPT is included in the 45-hour curriculum. |
| Broker Management CE Course | 12 | Every renewal | Required only for Managing Brokers. Covers law/rules updates, supervision of sponsored licensees, oversight of new brokers, business operations. The SHPT segment in this course does NOT satisfy the SHPT renewal requirement. |
First Renewal vs. Standard Renewal
Exemptions
- Attorney — Attorneys admitted to practice law pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court rule are exempt from CE requirements.Must still certify on the renewal application full compliance with CE requirements
- First Renewal Leasing Agent — Residential Leasing Agents first issued a license on or after May 1, 2024 are exempt from CE for their first renewal.Must still certify on the renewal application that they have completed the CE requirements
- First Renewal Managing Broker — Managing Brokers first issued a license on or after Feb 1, 2027 do not need to renew in 2027; licenses issued after this date expire April 30, 2029.
How You Can Complete Your CE
Provider Requirements
CE must be completed through an IDFPR-approved Real Estate Education Provider. Lists available at https://idfpr.illinois.gov/dre/education/rececourselist.html
Tips for Illinois Real Estate Agents
- The Sexual Harassment Prevention Training in the Broker Management CE course does not count toward the SHPT renewal requirement — take a separate approved SHPT course.
- If you took the 4-hour Core between May 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025, it satisfies the 2026 Core requirement but you will need 8 elective hours instead of 6.
- Illinois uses the title 'Broker' for what other states call an agent or salesperson — do not confuse it with a managing broker license.
- Attorneys admitted to practice under Illinois Supreme Court rules are exempt from CE but must still certify compliance on the renewal application.