REAL
ESTATE
REAL ESTATE
The Real Estate program at College of DuPage meets the
needs of those who want to begin a career in the real estate
industry. Illinois law requires students to complete 90 hours
of education to qualify to take the Illinois Real Estate Broker
exam administered by AMP, a private testing service. At
College of DuPage, two required courses are REALE 1130,
Real Estate Broker Pre-License Topics, a 75-hour class, and
REALE 1131, Real Estate Broker Pre-License Applied Real
Estate Principles, a 15-hour class. Real estate courses may
be taken either for credit (applicable towards the Associate
in A.G.S. degree program) or for non-credit through the
Continuing Education division. The non-credit course
numbers are Proed 1130 and Proed 1131. Students cannot
take one class for credit and one for non-credit. Whether
taken for credit or non-credit, successful completion of both
courses qualifies students to sit for the Illinois Real Estate
Broker’s License Examination.
WHY CHOOSE COD?
• Faculty members are licensed attorneys with more than
59 years of combined teaching experience, and 65
years of combined experience practicing in the area
of real estate law.
• Faculty are dedicated to helping students succeed,
with interactive classes designed to help them learn
the material necessary to pass the state exam.
• In-person classes are available in the morning and in
the evening to meet your schedule.
• Students have access to additional resources for
studying, including practice tests and lessons for
the math review.
• Receive six college credits for REALE 1130 and
1131 combined
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Courses Required to Obtain an Illinois Real Estate
Broker License
Pursuant to the Illinois Real Estate License Act, in order to
qualify to take the Illinois examination for the entry-level
Real Estate Broker License, a person must take a real
estate curriculum of 90 classroom hours. The curriculum,
as mentioned, is divided into two courses. The first is 75
classroom hours and the second is 15 classroom hours.
The first course is a prerequisite for the second course.
Students must pass the final for both courses with
a minimum score of 75 percent. There is a stringent
attendance requirement for both courses mandated by
the State of Illinois.
Real Estate Broker Pre-License Topics
Real Estate 1130 (credit) or Proed 1130 (non-credit)
5 credit hours
Introduction to real estate topics including license law, real
property, agency, seller and buyer relationships, state and
federal laws, marketing and advertising, market analysis and
appraisal, financing, contracts, employment agreements and
career path. This is a required course to take the Illinois Real
Estate Broker License Examination. (5 lecture hours)
Broker Pre-License Applied Principles
Real Estate 1131 (credit) or Proed 1131 (non-credit)
1 credit hour
Application of real estate broker pre-license topics to the
practice of real estate brokerage. Includes situational and
case studies, role playing and demonstration of real estate
activities. A required course to take the Illinois Real Estate
Broker License Examination. Prerequisite: Real Estate
1130 with a grade of 75 percent or better, or equivalent or
concurrent enrollment in Real Estate 1130. (1 lecture hour)
LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
Requirements for obtaining an Illinois Real Estate
Broker License:
• Be at least 21 years of age
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent degree
• Successfully complete the following required
coursework (90 classroom hours):
Real Estate Broker Pre-License Topics (75 classroom
hours) REALE 1130 or Proed 1130 at COD; and,
Real Estate Broker Pre-License Applied Real Estate
Principles (15 classroom hours) REALE 1131 or
Proed 1131 at COD
• Pass the Illinois Real Estate Broker Examination
REAL ESTATE FACULTY
Carol CarlsonNofsinger, Lecturer
in the Business and
Technology Division,
Real Estate Program
Carol CarlsonNofsinger received
her Juris Doctorate
degree from Loyola
University of Chicago
School of Law
in 1985 and has taught
part-time in the Real
Estate Program at
College of DuPage
since 1997. She brings
her extensive experience practicing law in the areas of real
estate, corporate law, and contracts into the classroom. In
addition, as an active, contributing member of COD’s Real
Estate Advisory Committee for 12 years, she has examined
the changing role of the Real Estate Program and its goal to
satisfy the growing needs of the community in providing
a high quality real estate curriculum. Carlson-Nofsinger
regularly teaches REALE 1130 and REALE 1131, the
pre-license courses required before students become
eligible to sit for the Illinois Real Estate Broker’s Examination
and the Illinois Real Estate Leasing Agent Examination.
Carlson-Nofsinger was selected as COD’s 2013–2014
Outstanding Part-time Faculty Award winner.
Richard Lackner,
Part-Time faculty
in the Business and
Technology Division,
Real Estate Program
Rich Lackner has been
licensed to practice
in Illinois for more
than 35 years. He has
extensive experience
representing clients
in residential and
commercial real
estate transactions.
He has been licensed
to teach pre-licensing
and has been teaching at COD since 1985. He is a past
recipient of COD’s Outstanding Part-time Faculty Award
and has taught at other venues. Lackner has witnessed
pre-licensing evolve from a 30-hour course requirement
to the present-day 90 hours.
He is known for interesting classes and for making the
subject matter understandable.
Students Comments:
“I have attended two major Illinois universities and have
degrees from both, including a master’s degree in
education. Carol is one of the most outstanding
professors I have ever encountered.”
“My success in the class is largely due to Richard’s
teaching style and his depth of knowledge in real estate.”
“Mrs. Carlson is a great teacher. She makes herself
available. If we had any questions, she took time to
answer them. She genuinely cares about her students
and is invested in everyone’s success.”
“I now feel very prepared to not only take my state exam,
but to begin my career in real estate.”
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
1. Can I get my license and go out on my own?
Newly licensed brokers cannot practice real estate on their
own without a sponsoring broker. Once brokers have had their
license for two years, completed the additional managing
broker course work, and successfully passed the state
managing broker licensing exam, they can open their own
offices and become self-sponsored managing brokers.
2. Can I apply for a real estate license without a Social
Security number?
No, you must have a Social Security number to apply for your
broker’s license.
3. Is this the entry level requirement?
Yes, in Illinois the Real Estate Broker license is the entry
level license that allows you to practice real estate under
the guidance of a sponsoring broker.
4. Do I have to take both REALE 1130 and 1131?
Yes, you must complete the required 90 hours of education,
pass each course with a minimum score of 75 percent and
meet the state mandated attendance requirements.
5. Where can I get more information on the state exam?
The Illinois Real Estate Broker Examination is administered by
Applied Measurement Professionals Inc., www.goAMP.com,
(800) 345-6559.
6. Where can I get more information on applying for a
state license?
Check with the Illinois Department of Financial and
Professional Regulation, www.idfpr.com, (312) 793-3000.
Students must pass both the National and Illinois parts of
the Real Estate Broker Examination with a minimum score
of 75 percent.
7. Do I get a transcript from COD?
After you successfully complete the required courses with a
minimum score of 75 percent on the final exam and meet the
attendance requirements, you will be mailed a Uniform Real
Estate transcript.
The hard copy transcripts are not needed at the time you
register with AMP, schedule the exam with AMP, or take the
license examination. The transcript is only needed after you
pass the license examination and apply for the broker’s license
with the IDFPR.
8. Is there a special license issued by the State of Illinois
for a property manager?
The State of Illinois issues only the following types of real estate
licenses: broker, managing broker, and leasing agent. Licensed
brokers must work under a sponsoring broker while performing
the tasks normally associated with property management.
9. If I successfully completed the 75-hour course
somewhere other than COD, can I take the 15-hour Reale
1131 class at COD and earn my transcript for that course?
Yes, with a transcript showing successful completion of the
75-hour course.
10. Is there an age requirement to take the Illinois Real
Estate Broker Exam?
Yes, you must be 21 years of age to take the Illinois Real
Estate Broker Exam.
11. After successfully completing the state broker licensing
exam, how long does a student have to get a sponsoring
broker and apply for their license?
One year.
EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK
According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor
Statistics, “One of the most complex and significant financial
events in people’s lives is the purchase or sale of a home.
Because of this complexity and significance, people typically
seek the help of real estate brokers and sales agents.”
Real Estate Brokers operate real estate offices, work
for commercial real estate firms overseeing real estate
transactions, sell real estate, rent properties and arrange loans.
The housing market is showing growth which creates a
continued need for those in the real estate field.
Successful people in the real estate field are; creative,
self-starters, problem solvers, detail oriented, active listeners,
critical thinkers, independent and skilled in sales and negotiation.
GETTING STARTED
Visit our website at cod.edu/programs/real_estate/index.aspx.
Consult with an advisor:
Debbie Hasse, M.Ed., Program Manager
Continuing Education
Student Resource Center (SRC), Room 1111
(630) 942-2679
Bev Carlson, M.B.A., Program Support Specialist
Business and Technology Division
Berg Instructional Center (BIC), Room 1728
(630) 942-2140
BT-15-19487(9/15)250
425 Fawell Blvd.
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137-6599
cod.edu