Illinois Real Estate CE Requirements (2026): 12–24 Hours Every 2 Years

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

Renewal Pathways

Real Estate Broker Continuing Education in Illinois

In Illinois, real estate broker continuing education totals depend on the broker license category:

• Broker renewal (licensed before Nov 1, 2023) — 12 CE hours
• Managing Broker renewal (licensed before Feb 2025) — 24 CE hours

Broker-specific course requirements

• Core Curriculum (License Law, Agency, Brokerage Agreements & Disclosures, Escrow, Advertising, Fair Housing) (6 hours) — 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.
• Broker Management CE Course (12 hours) — 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.

Other broker renewal situations

• Broker first renewal (licensed Nov 2023 - Oct 2025) — 45 hours . 45 hours of Post License Education required. Includes 1-hour Sexual Harassment Prevention Training in curriculum.
• Managing Broker first renewal (Feb 2025 - Jan 2027) — 12 hours . 6-hour Core CE + 6 hours elective (including SHPT). Broker Management CE course not required for first renewal.

License categories and totals above are verified from the published rules of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Real Estate — confirm current broker requirements with the board before enrolling.

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

Illinois CE Rules & Limits

Details specific to Illinois that generic CE guides tend to miss:

• Carry-over — No carry-over provision mentioned in official IDFPR CE fact sheets.
• Illinois uses the title 'Broker' instead of 'Agent' or 'Salesperson'. The standard real estate practitioner license is called 'Real Estate Broker'.
• Brokers renew on even-numbered years (deadline April 30). Managing Brokers renew on odd-numbered years (deadline April 30). Leasing Agents renew on even-numbered years (deadline July 31).
• Continuing Education earned for disciplinary purposes may not be used toward CE renewal requirements.
• A 4-hour Core course taken between May 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025 satisfies the Core requirement for the 2026 broker renewal, but requires 8 hours of elective courses instead of 6.
• The Sexual Harassment Prevention Training segment within the 12-hour Broker Management CE course does NOT satisfy the SHPT renewal requirement. A separate approved SHPT course must be taken.
• Post-License Education (45 hours for first-renewal brokers) is a distinct requirement from standard CE and must be completed through approved post-license education providers.

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.

Sources

Real Estate Requirements in Nearby States

Other Professions in Illinois

All Real Estate CE Requirements by State

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