Iowa Real Estate Agent License
Complete requirements guide for Iowa
Pre-Licensing Education
Complete a 60-hour pre-license course plus 36 additional hours delivered as three 12-hour live courses (Buying Practices, Listing Practices, and Developing Professionalism and Ethical Practices).
Required Courses (60 hours total):
- • 60-hour Real Estate Principles pre-license course
- • Buying Practices (12 hours, live)
- • Listing Practices (12 hours, live)
- • Developing Professionalism and Ethical Practices (12 hours, live)
The 60-hour pre-license course must be less than one year old at the time of exam and application submission.
State Examination
Exam Name
Iowa Real Estate Salesperson Examination
Provider
PSI
Format
120 multiple-choice questions (80 national, 40 state); 120 minutes national, 60 minutes state
Passing Score
70% on each section (56/80 national, 28/40 state)
Exam Fee
$95
Retake Policy: Can retake immediately; $95 fee per attempt. Online proctoring or in-person testing available.
Background Check
Type: FBI and Iowa DCI fingerprint-based criminal history check
Cost: $51
Sponsoring Broker
Must affiliate with a licensed Iowa broker to activate your license
Fee Breakdown
| Examination Fee | $95 |
| Application Fee | $125 |
| Fingerprinting | $51 |
| Listed Fees | $271 |
Listed fees: license $125 + exam $95 + fingerprint screening $51 = $271. Errors and omissions insurance (cost varies) is required and excluded.
License Renewal
Renewal Cycle
Every 3 years
Renewal Fee
$125
CE Required
36 hours
Online Renewal
Yes
36 hours per 3-year cycle: 8 hours law updates, 4 hours ethics, 24 hours electives (max 24 distance learning, at least 12 live). Renewal deadline December 31 every 3 years. Renewal fee is corroborated by the issuance fee and secondary sources but not an official renewal fee table.
License Reciprocity
Iowa has reciprocity with Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, and North Dakota. Reciprocal applicants may have reduced requirements.
Iowa Real Estate Commission
- Official Website
- (515) 725-9022
- Apply Online
Helpful Tools
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Requires 24 months as salesperson plus 60 hours of broker pre-license education covering contract law, trust accounts, appraisal, finance, and office administration.
- • 2 years experience required
- • 60 additional education hours
- • Broker exam required
Last verified: 2026-01-12