Iowa Real Estate Broker License
Requirements, fees, and steps to upgrade to broker
Experience Requirements
24 months of active salesperson experience required before applying for broker license
Alternative Pathways:
Must be actively licensed as salesperson for 24 months
Education Requirements
Complete 60 hours of broker pre-license education, within 24 months prior to the exam, covering the required topic areas.
Required Courses:
- Contract Law and Contract Writing (6 hours)
- Iowa Real Estate Trust Accounts (6 hours)
- Principles of Appraising and Market Analysis (6 hours)
- Real Estate Law and Agency Law (6 hours)
- Real Estate Finance (6 hours)
- Federal and State Laws Affecting Iowa Practice (6 hours)
- Real Estate Office Administration (12 hours)
- Real Estate Technology (6 hours)
- Ethics (6 hours)
Broker pre-license education totals 60 hours.
Broker Examination
Exam Name
Iowa Real Estate Broker Examination
Provider
PSI
Format
National (75 questions, 80 points) and state (40 questions) portions; 120 minutes national, 60 minutes state
Passing Score
75% on each portion (60/80 national, 30/40 state)
Exam Fee
$95
Retake Policy
Can schedule retake immediately after failure; $95 fee per attempt. Exam valid for 6 months.
Fees
| Application Fee | $0 |
| Examination Fee | $95 |
| License Fee | $170 |
| Background Check | $51 |
| Listed Fees | $316 |
Listed fees: license $170 + exam $95 + fingerprint screening $51 = $316. Errors and omissions insurance (cost varies) is required and excluded, so this is not a complete cost.
Process can take 4+ weeks. Background valid for 210 calendar days.
Timeline
Gain Salesperson Experience
Work as licensed salesperson for 24 months
2 years
Complete Broker Education
Complete 60 hours of broker pre-license courses
4-8 weeks
Complete Background Check
Submit for criminal history investigation
4+ weeks
Pass Broker Exam
Take and pass the PSI broker examination
1-2 weeks
Submit Application
Apply within 6 months of passing exam
1-2 weeks
License Renewal
Renewal Cycle
Every 3 years
Renewal Fee
$170
CE Hours Required
36 hours
Online Renewal
Available
36 hours per 3-year cycle: 8 hours law updates, 4 hours ethics, 24 hours electives. At least 12 hours must be live classroom or webinar. Renewal fee is corroborated by the issuance fee and secondary sources but not an official renewal fee table.
Reciprocity Agreements
Iowa has reciprocity with Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, and North Dakota. Reciprocal applicants may have reduced requirements.
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