License Renewal/Continuing Education

I am a real estate salesperson with an active license. How long will my license remain in effect?

The expiration date on all actively-licensed real estate salesperson licenses will be extended an additional year and will expire April 30, 2012.  Your current license is acceptable to use until this date.

What will the requirements be for a Salesperson converting to a Broker (non-managing)?

Pass a proficiency exam prior to March 15, 2012, complete 18 hours of CE (9 core & 9 elective) on or before 4/30/12 and apply for your Broker license with IDFPR on or before 4/30/12.

Or...complete a 30-hour course and pass the exam on or before 4/30/12, no additional CE is needed, apply for your Broker license with IDFPR on or before 4/30/12.  NOTE: there are no re-takes for the proficiency.  If you fail, you must successfully complete the 30-hour course and exam.

What will the requirements be for a Broker converting to Managing Broker?

Successfully pass a proficiency exam prior to 3/15/12 and apply for Managing Broker license with IDFPR prior to 4/30/12.  Successfully complete 18 hours of CE (9 core & 9 elective) and a 12 hour Broker management classroom/interactive course on or before 4/30/13.

Or...Successfully complete a 45-hour transition course and exam prior to 4/30/12 and apply for Managing Broker license with IDFPR prior to 4/30/12.  No Broker management course is required.  Then complete an additional 18 hours of CE (9 core & 9 elective) on or before 4/30/13.  NOTE: no re-takes on the proficiency exam.  If you fail, you must complete the 45-hour course and exam.

What will the requirements be for a Broker who is going to remain a Selling Broker (non-managing)?

Successfully complete 12 hours of CE (6 core & 6 elective) on or before 4/30/12.  Renew Broker license with IDFPR on or before 4/30/12.  NO proficiency needed.

What will the requirements be for a newly licensed Broker effective May 1, 2011?

90 hours of pre-license coursework including 15 hours of "situational" offerings in a classroom or interactive setting, take and pass written exam, application with sponsor card and fee, 30 hours post-license education taken before first renewal.

What will the requirements be for a newly licensed Managing Broker effective May 1, 2011?

Must be 21 years old; good moral character; need to be be licensed at least 2 out of 3 prior years as a salesperson or broker; high school degree or its equivalent; 165 hours of pre-license education; 120 are broker pre-license hours; 45 more in the year before applying for managing broker's license; focused on brokerage administration and management and 15 in classroom or other interactive delivery method; take and pass test; application with sponsor card and pay fees.

Where is more information available on the new Act?

The revised Real Estate License Act of 2000 is available at http://www.idfpr.com/DPR/RE/REALEST.asp Select the Real Estate License Act of 2000 link.

What is happening to the categories of licensure in the new Act?

Once the transition is complete there will be two main categories of licensure: (1) managing broker and (2) broker. Note that the leasing agent license remains unchanged for the most part.  No new salespersons’ licenses will be issued after 4/30/2011, and the salesperson license category will no longer exist after 4/30/2012. All existing salespersons’ licensees will need to transition to the broker license category before May 1, 2012.  Existing broker licenses will remain the same and some brokers will transition to managing broker.

How do I find out how many CE hours I have?

If you have taken your CE courses from IAR, you may go to the IAR website, www.iar.org and click on "Education" and then "Find Your Education Credits".  You will need your license number for the look up.  You will be able to look up your record of classes taken through IAR sponsored classes. If you need information regarding classes taken at other sponsored schools, you will need to contact the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Professional Regulation, at 217-785-0800 or visit their website, www.idfpr.com.

I just got my license, do I need Continuing Education and what are the requirements?

A salesperson renewal applicant is not required to comply with the continuing education requirements for the first renewal following original licensure if the initial salesperson's license was issued less than one year prior to the expiration date.

A salesperson renewal applicant is required to complete 6 hours of continuing education if: (1) That licensee's initial license was issued more than one year prior to that licensee's first expiration date and less than two years prior to the first expiration date.

A salesperson renewal applicant is required to complete 12 hours of continuing education if that licensee's initial license was issued two or more years prior to the expiration date. The requirement is six hours of core and six hours of elective credit to be completed within the two-year renewal period.

In addition to the already required continuing education, a broker renewal applicant is required to complete 6 hours of broker management education within 180 days of licensure unless they received their initial license within 90 days of the broker renewal period. See broker requirement matrix.

IAR Member Services

Who does IAR recommend for Errors and Omissions insurance?

IAR sponsors a third party administrator, Capital Professional Insurance Managers, Inc. (CPIM), who writes E & O coverage through CNA. CPIM may be reached by phone at 800/922-4626 or at http://www.cpim.com/.

---

Complaint Procedure

I want to file a complaint against a REALTOR®, what should I do?

First, I would contact the agent's broker or manager and see if they can help solve the problem. If this isn't possible or if you want to file a grievance against the agent, then each local association has a complaint process for individuals wishing to file complaints for alleged violations of the REALTORS® Code of Ethics. A list of local associations may be found at the Illinois Association of REALTORS® Web site. Once you have determined that the individual you wish to file a complaint against is a member of that local association, your complaint should be filed in writing and in a timely fashion.

---

Membership

How do I change offices?

If transferring from one Oak Park Association Broker to another:

Obtain a Transfer Form from the Oak Park Association office,

Have your "old" Broker sign off on your license, sign the Transfer Form, and send the necessary paperwork to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR),

Have your "new" Broker sign the Transfer Form, and send the necessary paperwork to the IDFPR,

Bring the completed Transfer Form in to the Oak Park Association office with the $50 transfer fee, 

The Oak Park Association office will then change your information in the MLS system, make the announcement to our membership via the MRED Bulletin Board, and notify the Illinois and the National Associations of REALTORS® for you.

If transferring from an Oak Park Association office to a non-Oak Park Association office:

Have your "old" Broker sign off on your license and fax or send a copy of the signed off license to the Oak Park Association, and send the necessary paperwork to the IDFPR,

The Oak Park Association will then terminate your membership and your MLS access (if applicable) by notifying the Illinois and the National Associations of REALTORS®,

A notice of your departure will be posted on the MRED Bulletin Board,

Have your "new" Broker complete the necessary paperwork as required by your new Association/Board of REALTORS® as well as the IDFPR,

You will be obligated to pay the dues and fees required by your new Association/Board; you will not have to pay State and National dues again for that calendar year, provided they were already paid through the Oak Park Association.

MRED (connectMLS)

What is MRED's Help Desk number?

MRED can be reached at 630-955-2755.  If you are asked to leave a voice mail message, please do not hang up and attempt to call  back at a later time. Leave your name and phone number to ensure a prompt response.

When do you bill me for MLS access and when are the payments due?

MLS bills are sent out the first week of December, March, June, and September. MLS fees are due by the last day of that billing month.

How can I change my information in connectMLS?

The only way that your information can be changed is through the Association office.  If you have any type of change or addition (i.e., address, phone number, e-mail address) to your individual agent screen, you must either e-mail or fax that information to the Association office.

Why am I receiving a login error when signing in to connectMLS?

If you receive a login error stating that your account is inactive, then the problem is not with MRED.  The problem is that your access has been disconnected due to non-payment of your association dues and/or your MLS fees. The only way to have your access reinstated is to pay your bill in its entirety, plus the $50 reinstatement fee.

Does MRED offer training classes?

MRED offers training classes, free of charge, to all authorized users.  Members are encouraged to take advantage of these classes so that you are fully versed in all the system has to offer.  Log onto http://www.mredllc.com/ and click on "Training" or while logged into connectMLS, from the "My MLS" tab, click on the most updated "MRED connectMLS Training Schedule" in the bottom right corner box entitled "Links".

---

The licensing, education and IAR information is taken directly from the Illinois Association of REALTORS® website, www.illinoisrealtor.org. 

We welcome your questions.

Please use the contact form to submit your questions.