This article contains the following sections:
- State Exam General Information
- State Exam Fees
- State Exam Scheduling
- State Exam Admission
- State Exam Details
- State Exam Retakes
State Exam General Information
Upon completing the Pre-License course and passing the school exam, the candidate will receive a transcript that will allow four attempts at the state licensing exam within two years. The state licensing exams are written and administered by Psychological Services, Inc. (PSI). Examinations are computer-based, and appointments must be made in advance.
The Candidate Handbook is available here.
State Exam Fees
Residential Leasing Agent
$37 per attempt
Broker
$58 per attempt
Managing Broker
$58 per attempt
State Exam Application
Once the Pre-License education is completed, candidates will go to PSI to submit an application to sit for the state license exam. Once the candidate's application is approved, they can schedule their exam.
State Exam Admission
Before beginning an exam, candidates must bring the following to gain admission to the Test Center:
- Show two forms of proper identification.
- The first form of identification is the primary form of identification which must be a non-expired, government-issued photo ID with a person’s signature. Examples may include:
- Driver’s license with photograph
- State identification card with photograph
- Passport
- Military identification card with photograph
- The secondary form of identification must display the name and signature for signature verification. Examples may include:
- Social Security card with a signature.
- Credit or debit card with a signature.
- Employment/student ID card with a signature.
- Provide a fingerprint scan.
- The first form of identification is the primary form of identification which must be a non-expired, government-issued photo ID with a person’s signature. Examples may include:
Candidates who do not provide the appropriate identification and fingerprint scan at the examination will be denied admission, considered a missed appointment, and forfeit the examination fee.
State Exam Details
Residential Leasing Agent
The Residential Leasing Agent examination contains 50 multiple choice questions, and candidates are permitted 2 hours to take the exam.
A candidate must receive a score of 75% or higher.
Broker
The Broker examination is separated into two parts: National and State. When taking the complete exam, the candidate will answer 140 multiple choice questions and is permitted 2.5 hours for the National portion and 1.5 hours for the State portion. This will consist of 100 national questions and 40 Illinois questions.
A candidate must receive a score of 75% or higher on each section of an exam.
If a candidate retakes a portion of the examination, they are permitted 2.5 hours for the National portion only or 1.5 hours for the State portion only.
Managing Broker
The Managing Broker examination is separated into two parts: National and State. When taking the complete exam, the candidate will answer 130 questions and may be permitted a certain amount of time to take the exam*. This will consist of 40 Illinois multiple-choice questions plus 90 National questions. The 90 National questions will consist of 80 multiple-choice questions and 10 scenario-based questions. When taking the complete exam, the candidate is permitted 2.5 hours for the National portion only and 1.5 hours for the State portion only.
If a candidate retakes a portion of the examination, they are permitted 2.5 hours for the National portion only or 1.5 hours for the State portion only.
Note: Beginning 10/15/2021, PSI implemented the change from a "simulation" exam format to multiple-choice scenario items for the National portion of the examination. The 10 new scenario-based questions are similar to the old "simulation" questions. Still, they will be presented in a multiple-choice format that requires only one response and is point-based, so candidates should select the best choice. The choices will be weighted such that the best option is worth two points, and the other correct choices will be worth one point. As a result of this change, the Managing Broker national exam will be scored using 100 points, even though there are only 90 scored items.
State Exam Retakes
If a candidate fails a portion of the broker or managing broker examination, they are only required to retake the portion they failed. The candidate has one year from the date of passing that portion to retake and pass the remaining portion, make an application, and meet the requirements for licensure. If the candidate does not pass after their fourth attempt, it is required to retake the Pre-License education and the entire examination.