Can I get an Iowa real estate license if I don't work for a broker?

Before you can apply for an IA salesperson license: ●Be 18 years of age ●Complete the 60-hour Iowa pre-licensing course ●Complete (3) 12-hour courses in real estate practices ●Pass the state licensing exam ●Be hired by an Iowa real estate broker ●Purchase E&O insurance ●Submit your fingerprints for a background check

You’ll create an account with My Iowa PLB if you have not done so for your fingerprints. You will follow the prompts to initiate a salesperson licensing application. You will also need to upload copies of your education certificates, the passing score report for the state licensing exam, and your proof of insurance.

Yes! As a matter of fact, Iowa uses an online application system, My Iowa PLB. You will initiate your fingerprints, apply for your salesperson license, and manage your active license through this portal.

The salesperson licensing fee is $125. You can pay it through My Iowa PLB using a credit card.

Your application requires: ● 60-hour pre-license course completion certificate dated within the last 12 months ● Completion certificates for (3) 12-hour courses in real estate practices dated within the last 12 months ● Passing score report for the exam dated within the prior 6 months ● Proof of E&O insurance

File your license application after you have completed the required 96 hours of education, passed the licensing exam, been hired by an Iowa broker, bought E&O insurance, and submitted your fingerprints for the background check. Do all this within one year of finishing your first 60-hour pre-licensing course.

No, Iowa requires all salespersons to work under the supervision of a licensed real estate broker. Your sponsoring broker must sign a broker certification section of the license application and will sign your original license. No inactive licenses are given to new real estate licensees.

If you have an inactive license, you cannot engage in any real estate brokerage activities. An active license means you can work as a real estate agent, perform real estate brokerage activities, and be compensated for work as a real estate professional.

Your employing broker must submit a request to “Change Affiliated Licensee Status To Inactive” form. An individual salesperson cannot Place their license on inactive status. It must be submitted by the employing broker through the My Iowa PLB platform.

You meet the requirements for an active Iowa salesperson's license by being at least 18 years of age, taking the required education classes, passing the state exam, finding E & O insurance, and being hired by a sponsoring broker.

For most individuals moving from inactive to active, you will log into my Iowa PLB and submit a “Change Of Status From Inactive To Active” application, but contact the Iowa Real Estate Commission first to make sure that's all you need to do.

A salesperson license enables you to assist clients with transacting real estate while working under the supervision of a licensed broker. A real estate broker license enables you to open up a real estate business and hire employees to work underneath you.

Visit the Iowa Real Estate Commission license search page to check on the status of your license. You can search by name or by license number.

The Iowa Real Estate Commission will email you a certificate at the time of licensure. You can also log into the My Iowa PLB platform and click on your license number. You won't be able to review and download your license for printing.

A group insurance policy is available with the Iowa Real Estate Commission through Rice Insurance Services Company (RISC). You can also hire a private carrier, as long as your policy meets the requirements of coverage as outlined in Chapter 19 of the Administrative Rules 193-E.