The real estate market’s adaption to the technology age sometimes seems slow and arduous, but the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) recently made a simple, yet big change to bring the state’s industry into the 21st century.

  • The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation announced an alternative to paper documents to improve speed of renewals and lower costs.
  • Real estate professionals can obtain their e-license online and download as a PDF or screenshot to a smartphone or tablet.
  • The IDFPR.com/getmylicense site allows professionals to update contact information and renew their license, which is required by the state every two years.

The real estate market’s adaption to the technology age sometimes seems slow and arduous, but the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) recently made a simple, yet big change to bring the state’s industry into the 21st century.

In late February, the department enacted paperless licenses and renewals to make it faster and more efficient for regulated professionals to obtain licenses. Since then, IDFPR has been adding enhancements to improve the process and make it as seamless as possible.

Smartphone e-licenses is a natural next step.

Real estate professionals in Illinois have to renew their license every two years. With the new process, all of that can be done online at IDFPR.com/getmylicense and the license can be downloaded as a PDF or even a screenshot.

elicense smartphone, state of illinois

E-License for real estate professional

The electronic pocket cards are available for more than 110,000 licensed professionals in the state and seven regulated industries, including real estate. The pocket cards can be downloaded to smartphones or tablets.

“For the over 43,000 licensed real estate professionals who are required to carry their license at all times, the e-license pocket card is a welcome announcement,” Kreg Allison, director of real estate, said in a statement. “By offering this option, we provide our real estate professionals added flexibility and convenience.”

This new technology isn’t just benefiting real estate professionals and other licensed individuals throughout Illinois. The state is saving millions in postage, printing and more, according to Terry Horstman with the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

The e-license is not a requirement for all professionals, however excitement seems to be high among professionals in the state. Real estate professionals who are not ready to renew their license can also use the IDFPR website to update all their information and ensure communication is as streamlined as possible.

While the department has not released any future plans for improving the process or adding new features, Horstman said they will continue to make enhancements.

Email Kimberly Manning

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