Navigating Illinois Real Estate Education Course Licensing: A Guide for Educators

Introduction

In Illinois, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) Division of Real Estate (DRE) regulates real estate licensing and education, ensuring that courses meet state standards for content, instructor qualifications, and student assessment. 

Course licensing is required for any courses that will offer pre-license, post-license, or continuing education credit to licensed real estate applicants or professionals in Illinois. The IDFPR aims to maintain a high standard of real estate knowledge and skills among industry professionals to protect the public interest.

This article provides educators with a comprehensive overview of the licensing requirements, steps to gain course approval, and tips for avoiding common application deficiencies.

Who may Submit A Course License Application?

Individuals may not submit course license applications, even if they are licensed Brokers, Managing Brokers, or Instructors.  Course license applications must be submitted by an IDFPR-licensed Education Provider (school), who will be responsible for course delivery and administration.  The education provider may work closely with licensed instructors and other subject matter experts, but only the school may be issued a course license.

Step-by-Step Guide to Getting a Course Licensed

When planning a real estate education course in Illinois, the first step is determining the type of course you intend to offer, as different course types have distinct requirements set by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). Illinois recognizes three primary categories of real estate education courses: Pre-License, Post-License, and Continuing Education (CE). 

Each category serves a unique purpose in the professional development of real estate licensees and has specific guidelines regarding curriculum content, instructional hours, and evaluation methods.

1. Identify the Course Category & Delivery Method

Course Categories

1. Pre-License Courses: These courses are designed for individuals pursuing their initial real estate license. They cover foundational topics like real estate principles, contracts, financing, and property management. Pre-license courses must meet the minimum instructional hours required by the IDFPR and follow a set curriculum that aligns with state exam requirements.
2. Post-License Courses: These courses are intended for new licensees who are completing their initial education requirements during their first renewal period. Post-license education focuses on enhancing practical skills and knowledge, including ethics, risk management, and specific Illinois laws.
3. Continuing Education (CE) Courses: Licensed real estate professionals must complete CE courses to renew their licenses. These courses cover a broad range of topics, including updates on legal requirements, ethics, and industry trends. CE courses must meet IDFPR guidelines for instructional hours and approved subject matter. 

Delivery Methods

IL real estate license law currently allows courses to be offered using three unique delivery methods.  (Note that certain courses are required to be offered using an ‘interactive’ delivery method.)

1. Live Interactive Delivery: This instructor-led, interactive format requires the course to be delivered in a classroom (in-person) setting or via a live, simultaneous webinar that requires certain instructor-to-student engagement.  
2. Online Distance Education:  These courses are interactive, but not in real-time. Students independently learn and study material online.  For verification of the student's participation and comprehension, these courses typically require the use of a learning management system (LMS).  The LMS is used for administration, documentation, tracking, reporting, and delivery of the student’s course activity.
3. Home Study:  This delivery method, also referred to as a "Correspondence Course," is completed independently by the student in a self-study format, outside of a classroom, or physical or virtual meeting space.  This course requires a proctored final examination to verify the student’s comprehension of the material.  Home study courses may include, but are not limited to, courses comprised of print, and media (i.e. written materials, video recordings, or online components that are not interactive. 

2. Review Content Requirements

1. Course Descriptions, Learning Objectives: The IDFPR DRE requires each course to have a written course description and clearly defined learning objectives.  Ensure that each learning objective is specific and measurable.
2. Minimum Instructional Hours / Timed Outline: Each course type has a minimum number of instructional hours that must be met. Ensure that your syllabus provides sufficient time to cover all mandated topics thoroughly, and document the allocation of hours per topic.
3. Assessment Standards: Many courses require assessments to evaluate knowledge retention and skills acquisition. Assessments should align with the course’s learning objectives and provide a measurable way for students to demonstrate mastery of key concepts.  Be sure to review the license law and administrative code, which include specific requirements for some courses and delivery methods. 

For detailed requirements on course curriculum, refer to the Curriculum Information posted on the IDFPR DRE’s website.

3. Developing the Course

Educators are likely to spend a substantial amount of time developing courses that satisfy compliance requirements. Some courses will be proprietary, and others may rely on third-party content.  Much more could be written about best practices for course development, but that is outside the scope of this article.  As you work through this process, be sure to ensure that your course is aligned with the current IDFPR curriculum standards and requirements and that your content and materials truly help achieve the learning objectives you set forth.

4. Submit an Application for Course Approval/Licensing

Once you have developed the course and organized all of the required materials, it’s time to prepare your course application.  

• Complete the required IDFPR application form, attaching each necessary supporting document—such as the course outline, instructor resumes, and assessment materials. Double-check for any missing information, as omissions or inconsistencies are common reasons for application delays or rejections.
• Note that as of this writing, the DRE does not accept course approval applications through the IDFPR online licensing portal or e-mail.  Although payment may be submitted online (following instructions on the course application form), the course materials must be submitted by mail.  You may, however, submit course materials in digital format on a USB drive.
• Ensure that all forms are signed and that you keep copies of all submitted materials for your records. It’s always a good idea to send the application using a carrier that provides tracking and delivery confirmation.

5. Monitor Progress and Respond Promptly to Inquiries

After submitting your course application, Education Providers will typically experience one of two outcomes: 

1. The application is approved. As a result, the IDFPR DRE issues a license to the Education Provider. Upon license issuance, the applicant will receive an email notification. Be sure to monitor for these automated messages, which can sometimes be routed to your spam folder.
2. The application is not approved because of one or more substantial deficiencies.  DRE staff will e-mail the applicant with details and steps required to resolve the issue(s).
   
   Deficiencies may result for a variety of reasons, including.
   1. A required document that was not included with your application package.
   2. Issues with the course content.  For example, portions of the course curriculum may be inaccurate or fail to align with the course learning objectives.  
   3. Problems with the proposed course delivery.  For example, an online distance education course requires the use of a learning management system (LMS).  It’s important that your application includes all the information required for the DRE to access and review your course in the LMS. 

If your course is not initially approved, it’s important to respond promptly and thoroughly to any IDFPR inquiries and requests for additional documentation.

Tips for Avoiding Common Application Deficiencies

• Ensure Course Content Completeness and Relevance.  As mentioned above, IDFPR applications may be rejected due to content deficiencies. To avoid this, cross-reference your curriculum with the most recent state requirements.  Incorporate case studies, real-world scenarios, and industry trends to make the content both practical and up-to-date and add practical value for students.

• Provide Clear, Measurable Learning Objectives.  Vague learning objectives can lead to deficiencies. Make each objective specific, action-oriented, and measurable (e.g., "Analyze current fair housing regulations").
• Double-Check Instructor Qualifications.  Verify that all instructors meet IDFPR’s licensing requirements and that each resume submitted is complete, accurate, and recent.

• Ensure Comprehensive Assessment Materials. Create detailed exams or quizzes that cover all learning objectives. Provide answer keys or other materials to demonstrate how students will be evaluated.

• Double-check for Consistency and Completeness.  Carefully review the entire application before submission to ensure that each component is consistent, and no section is left incomplete. Consider having a colleague review the materials for clarity and thoroughness.

Summary

By following IDFPR’s guidelines and preparing a thorough, detailed application, real estate educators can streamline the course licensing process and avoid common pitfalls. Educators play a vital role in equipping Illinois real estate professionals with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed, and a well-licensed course is the first step toward delivering that value.