Keeping it Honest: Understanding Real Estate and Mortgage Fraud
Fraud has become a major issue in the industry. Lawbreakers use real estate as a vehicle to steal the life savings of unsuspecting homeowners and defraud lenders out of millions of dollars for their own gain. Federal, state, and local governments have taken steps to combat real estate fraud, but it remains a major problem—one you need to have a solid understanding of to ensure you're able to shield your clients and yourself from being defrauded or unknowingly committing fraud.
Keeping It Honest: Understanding Real Estate and Mortgage Fraud has been updated to discuss the latest fraudulent schemes and explain recent government initiatives aimed at stopping fraud and protecting consumers.
Course Highlights:
- Fraud and its impact on the real estate industry
- The newest and most prevalent types of fraudulent schemes
- Red flag behaviors that suggest someone is engaging in fraud
- How to report fraudulent or suspected fraudulent activities to the proper authorities
- Key government initiatives aimed at stopping fraud and protecting consumers
- Activities and scenarios to provide real-world context for course content
State Requirements For Illinois
Illinois State Requirement Details for Real Estate Broker Continuing Education
The Illinois Division of Real Estate has implemented new education requirements to reflect recent changes to the Illinois Real Estate License Act of 2000. The 2026 Broker Renewal deadline is April 30, 2026. The 4-hour Core course, if completed prior to June 30, 2025, will satisfy the Core requirement for this renewal. However, the Division strongly recommends completion of the 6-hour Core course, which includes at least 2 hours of fair housing training, to satisfy the Core requirement for this renewal.
Renewal Date: April 30th of even-numbered years
Hours Required by the State: 12 hours
- 6-hour core course (or 4-hour core course if completed prior to June 30, 2025)
- 6 hours of elective courses (or 8 hours of elective courses if the 4-hour core course was completed prior to June 30, 2025) including
- 1-hour course in Sexual Harassment Prevention Training
Note: Brokers receiving their initial broker license are required to complete the 45-hour post-license education during their first license term and are not required to complete any other CE during that license term.
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Division of Real Estate
Street Address: 320 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor, Springfield, Illinois 62786
Mailing Address: 320 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor, Springfield, Illinois 62786
Telephone: (800) 560-6420
Email: fpr.realestate@illinois.gov