Do you need a license to be a property manager in Illinois?

Illinois has a Residential Leasing Agent license for leasing residential property; leasing commercial property needs a broker license. Licenses are issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, and leasing agents must be sponsored by a licensed broker. The exact wording is below.

Managing property for others"The leasing agent license has been renamed the residential leasing agent license to emphasize the activities allowed under this license type as the leasing of residential properties and not commercial properties. The leasing of commercial properties requires a broker’s license." official source
On-site and employee exemptions"Persons under the resident lessee exemption can now receive compensation of no more than $5,000 or the equivalent of 2 months’ rent in any 12-month period. 225 ILCS 454 Section 5-20(10)" official source
Leasing agents"Residential Leasing Agents and Brokers must be sponsored in order to engage in licensed activities." official source
Community association managersCommunity Association Manager license (and Community Association Management Firm license) (Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)): "Sec. 15. License required. 3 It shall be unlawful for any person to provide community associati on management services, provide services as a community association manager, or hold the person out as a community association manager or community association management firm to any community association in this State, unless the person holds a current and valid license issued by the Department or the person is otherwise exempt from licensure under this Act." official source
Licensing agencyIllinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Real Estate official source
CredentialResidential Leasing Agent license (also Broker and Managing Broker licenses) official source

Checked against official Illinois sources on Oct 27, 2026. This is not legal advice: rules change and exemptions depend on who employs you, so confirm with the licensing agency. This page lists only what we could confirm on an official page.

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