How do I become a real estate salesperson in Illinois?

Candidates for a salesperson license must successfully complete a mandatory 45 hour Real Estate Transactions course. The candidate also must be at least 21 years old (see exception in a following question) and have a high school degree or a GED. Candidates must then pass the state salesperson examination administered by Applied Measurement Professionals, Inc.  (AMP). AMP publishes a Candidate Handbook that provides information about the test, the testing process, qualifications for testing and test registration forms. Attorneys are exempt from the education requirement and are eligible to take the exam under their law license. See question below. 

Where can I get a Candidate Handbook?

Candidate Handbooks can be obtained by calling 800-345-6559 or you can download a handbook from AMP's website at www.goAMP.com.

What if I'm not 21 yet? Can I get a salesperson license?

The state will waive the 21 year old requirement if the candidate has 4 semesters of college (2 years full-time) and completes the 45 hour Real Estate Transactions class. Candidates applying under this category must submit all documents to AMP for prior approval before being allowed to take the examination.

I'm an Illinois attorney. Am I required to take the 45 hour Real Estate Transactions course?

No. Illinois attorneys currently licensed to practice law before the Illinois Supreme Court are exempt from the education requirement. This means that Illinois attorneys may skip the salesperson exam and immediately sit for the broker exam.

Attorneys qualifying under this category MUST mail a photocopy of their attorney registration pocket card along with the test registration form provided in the candidate handbook. The items should be sent to:

Illinois Real Estate Examination, Candidate Services, AMP 8310 Nieman Road, Lenexa, KS 66214-1579

Candidate Handbooks can be obtained by calling 913-541-0400 or you can download a handbook from AMP's website at www.goAMP.com.  

I have a bachelor's or masters degree in accounting, business, finance, real estate or law. Am I exempt from taking the real estate classes prior to sitting for the licensing exam? 

Not any longer. On June 25, 2004 Senate Bill 2887 was passed. What was previously called the "Category B" provision was removed. Today a Bachelor or a Masters in the aforementioned areas will get you no special treatment. Everyone except for attorneys will have to sit for the required number of class hours.