Iowa Frequently Ask Questions Real Estate License

You will earn your pre-license course completion certificate after you successfully complete every mandatory unit, pass every unit quiz or test, and successfully pass the course final exam.

The exact number of questions on your pre-license course exams will vary based on the current section of the course you are taking. Your course administrator will let you know how many questions are on the different exams and the comprehensive final.

If you are a RealEstate U student, your Iowa course completion certificates will be available to you in your account after you pass the final exam and meet all of the course requirements. You will be able to download your copy for inclusion with your license application.

Refer to this list managed by the Iowa Real Estate Commission to find an approved pre-license education provider.

You will be required to submit all of your pre-license course completion certificates as part of your licensing application. You won't receive a salesperson license without proof of education within the last year.

All of your pre-license education course certificates are valid for one year from the date of issuance. You want to complete the licensing process within this year, or you'll have to start over.

Actually, you’re required to take four courses for your pre-license education in Iowa. Start with 60 hours of pre-licensing instruction from an approved pre-license school. After the initial 60 hours, you next need to complete three 12-hour classroom courses in real estate practices.

The number of pre-licensing education hours adds up to 96. It starts with a 60-hour pre-licensing course. After your initial 60 hours are done, you will take three 12-hour classroom courses covering real estate practices.

Online courses are the most convenient way to meet your 60-hour course requirement, although you can take your licensing education in a classroom environment. Whatever provider you choose to meet the state's education requirement, complete 60 hours of instruction from an approved pre-license school.

Yes, choosing to take your pre-licensing education courses online is the fastest and most affordable way to meet the required education. You will be able to work at your own pace and around your current life schedule. Just make sure you take your courses from an approved pre-license school.

If you are still in high school, you can take the pre-license course. You have to be careful about the timing and to be at least 18 years or older within 6 months of taking the state licensing exam. Your pre-license education courses are only valid for 1 year. You must be at least 18 before you can apply for a license.

Iowa does not accept any law degree credits or attorney's licenses for the pre-licensing education requirement.

Iowa does not accept college credits or real estate degrees as an exemption from taking the 60-hour pre-licensing course.

Your Iowa salesperson pre-license course will have a final exam. You must pass this exam with at least a score of 80%. Your course administrator will provide you with more information about the final exam.

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.

It depends on the nature of the prior conviction and when the offense was committed. Any offense classified as a felony, or involving forgery, embezzlement, extortion, conspiracy to defraud, or similar offenses, must have been 5 years ago. Any offense related to moral turpitude must have elapsed at least 1 year ago.

Any offense classified as a felony or involving forgery, embezzlement, theft, arson, extortion, conspiracy to defraud, or similar offenses, that happened within the last five years disqualifies you. Any moral turpitude convictions within the last year also disqualify you.

Your prior criminal activity history will be disclosed to the Iowa Real Estate Commission when you submit the salesperson application and in the required criminal background check.

You will disclose your criminal record history to the Iowa Real Estate Commission when you submit your license application. If you are uncertain if your conviction would disqualify you from receiving a license, you can contact the Commission first for clarification on the law.

Yes, you are required to be fingerprinted as part of the salesperson licensing process. You will need to make a request for a background check packet with the Iowa Real Estate Commission using My Iowa PLB.

Make a request for a background check packet with the Iowa Real Estate Commission using My Iowa PLB. The IREC will mail you a fingerprinting packet within 3 to 10 business days. You'll need to follow all the instructions in the packet to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.

It all depends on how quickly you move to be fingerprinted and submit the fingerprints to the IREC. Processing typically takes ten days once the fingerprints have been received, although the process can take several weeks.

Follow these steps to earn an IA Salesperson’s license: 1) Complete 60-Hour IA Pre-license Salesperson Course plus required (3) 12-hour practical courses 2) Submit to a background check 3) Pass the IA salesperson state exam 4) Obtain E&O insurance 5) Find a sponsoring broker 6) Submit a salesperson license application

Added together, it can cost as little as $464 to earn your Iowa real estate salesperson license. These costs are spread out over the entire licensing process and not paid all upfront.

Earn your IA salesperson license in approx. 3 months. 1) Complete all required pre-license courses online: 4-8 weeks 2) Schedule and pass the exam: 1-3 weeks 3) Submit fingerprints for a background check: 2-4 weeks 4) Purchase E&O insurance: 1 day 5) Be hired by a broker: 1-3 months 6) Apply for your license: 2-4 weeks

You will take a series of tests in your pursuit of an Iowa license. The first test will come with your 60-hour pre-license education course. Your (3) 12-hour required courses may also have exams at the end. Your final exam will be the Iowa salesperson licensing exam, which you must pass to qualify for your license.

Yes! In fact, Iowa only permits you to apply for your real estate license online. You’ll create an account with My Iowa PLB to work through the licensing process and manage your license once you have received it.

You must be at least 18 years or older within six months of taking the licensing exam and before you officially apply for your salesperson license.

Iowa does not require that you have a high school diploma or its equivalent as part of meeting the salesperson licensing requirements.

Iowa does not have a state residency requirement as a condition of applying for a real estate salesperson license.

Include with your application proof of age, pre-license course completion certificate, and the FBI fingerprint card. After you pass the test, you need to send in the official state exam score port and the signed post-license education requirement notice.

When it's time to renew, you'll go on to My Iowa PLB and submit a renewal application. The Commission no longer accepts paper applications.

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

Your Iowa salesperson license is good for three years. The renewal process is done electronically through My Iowa PLB. You will be notified via email when it's time to renew. Keep your contact information up to date.

First-time salesperson renewals do not have any special requirements from any other license holder. You will need to take your continuing education before December 31 of your renewal year. The education includes eight hours of law update, four hours of ethics, and 24 hours in IREC-approved elective courses.

You must submit a renewal application through the My Iowa PLB system and pay the applicable license fee. You are not required to report any continuing education if you are renewing on inactive status, and you are not required to have E&O insurance.

All salesperson license holders must take their continuing education before December 31 of their renewal year. Within your licensing period, you must take: ● 8 hours of Law Update ● 4 hours in Ethics ● 24 hours in Commission-approved electives

Make sure you renew your inactive Iowa real estate license on time, or it will be expired. You need to log on to the My Iowa PLB system to submit your license renewal application.

The renewal window for an Iowa salesperson real estate license opens in mid-November of the expiration year. Your renewal application will be available to you in My Iowa PLB.

Should you fail to renew your Iowa salesperson license by December 31 of the expiration year, your license will lapse. To resume work as an active salesperson, you will need to submit a reinstatement application in the My Iowa PLB system and pay the appropriate fees.

To resume work as an active salesperson, you will need to submit a reinstatement application in the My Iowa PLB platform and pay the appropriate fees.

An Iowa salesperson license enables you to assist sellers and buyers with purchasing, listing, exchanging, leasing, or buying Iowa real estate and to earn compensation for your work. You are required to work under the supervision of a licensed broker.

Anytime you wish to be compensated for work assisting other people with buying, selling, leasing, listing, or renting real property in Iowa, you must hold a real estate license.

Turn into the Iowa Real Estate Commission a transfer form with the information about your prior employing broker and your new employing broker. The transfer will be complete once both Brokers electronically sign your transfer application request.

Yes, Iowa does have a reciprocity agreement with several states. If you are actively licensed and in good standing in Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, or North Dakota, you can apply for licensure through reciprocity.

Submit a criminal history background check through the IREC. Receive a certificate of license history that includes your method of licensure and the real estate company that holds your license. Submit an application electronically to the My Iowa PLB platform with the license history and proof of Iowa E&O insurance.

Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, or North Dakota license holders have a pathway to licensure through reciprocity. Any other state license holder can apply for a waiver to skip the 60-hour pre-license course and/or taking the national portion of the Iowa licensing exam.

Any unlicensed Individual seeking an Iowa real estate license, regardless of where they live in the United States, will need to follow the same pathway to a salesperson license as a state resident.

Yes, Real Estate U is a recently approved pre-license course provider. We offer the 60-hour course for $349 as an online, flexible learning course to better meet your schedule and learning needs.

Once you have completed the 60-hour pre-license course, you can take the salesperson licensing exam as long as it is within one year of your course completion date. You can continue working through the three required real estate practices courses.

Your pre-license course is only valid for one year. You will want to take and pass the exam before this time period is up. You also need to complete the entire licensing process within this year.

Online scheduling is the fastest and easiest way to set the appointment for your Iowa real estate salesperson exam. Visit https://www.psiexams.com to create your account, find testing centers, and reserve your exam date. Another option to set your appointment is to call 1-800-733-9267.

The Iowa real estate salesperson licensing exam fee is $95 made payable to the testing vendor PSI. The testing vendor accepts credit cards, money orders, company checks, or cashier checks. Cash and personal checks are not accepted. The licensing exam is non-transferable and non-refundable.

You will directly pay PSI, the state’s exam provider, using a credit card. PSI accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover cards. You can also mail a check, money order, or cashier’s check. Payment must be received in advance of the exam.

Online registration is the fastest and easiest way to set your exam appointment. All you need to do is go to https://www.psiexams.com and create an account. You can set up your exam in under an hour. The same is true if you decide to call 1 800-733-9267.

Testing centers with PSI are available in West Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Council Bluffs. Search the PSI website or the Iowa Candidate Bulletin to see specific addresses and find the testing center closest to you.

If you are licensed in a reciprocal state, you will not need to take the state licensing exam. If you are licensed in another state, you can apply for a waiver for the national portion of the exam. Licensees in California, Florida, New York, West Virginia, and Wisconsin have to take the full exam.

Any changes or cancellations you make must be made at least 48 hours in advance. Please note that voicemails or emails do not count as changing or canceling your exam appointment. Call 1-800-733-9267 to make any changes.

The Iowa Salesperson Pre-licensure Exam consists of two sections. On the National section, you must correctly answer 56 of 80 multiple-choice questions to pass. Correctly answer 26 of 40 questions on the State section to pass.

You are tested on national and state real estate-related content. Topics include property ownership, land use controls, financing, market analysis, property disclosures, and contracts. State-specific questions ask about Iowa-specific licensing, disciplinary actions, contracts, and real estate education topics.

No, personal calculators are not allowed for your Iowa state licensing exam.

You will need to bring one form of government-issued identification and your proof of education, education waiver, or letter of authorization with you to the test center. If you don’t have these, PSI will not admit you to take the exam, and you will lose your registration fee.

PSI does permit exam modifications in accordance with the ADA. Anyone requesting accommodations must fill out the accommodations request form in the Candidate Handbook and submit documentation from a medical authority or specialist about their limitations.

The Candidate Handbook details all security protocols for the PSI testing center. PSI requires personal belongings be placed in secure storage provided at each testing site before the exam. Electronic devices of any type, including personal calculators, smartwatches, and cell phones, are not allowed in the exam room.

Yes, being hired by an Iowa broker is not a requirement for taking the state license exam. You will need to be hired to submit your license application.

Yes, your Iowa State salesperson licensing exam results are only valid for six months. You must complete all the steps in the licensing process before this deadline expires.

Congratulations on passing the Iowa salesperson real estate exam. You should get to work right away finding a sponsoring broker. All salespersons must work under the supervision of a licensed Iowa broker. Purchase E&O insurance and submit your license application as soon as you've been hired.

You are required to submit your printed scoreboards to the Iowa Real Estate Commission as part of your salesperson license application. Without this official score report showing you passed the exam within the last six months, you won't be issued a license.

Iowa does not limit the number of times you can take the state salesperson license exam. You are limited by the amount of time between finishing the 60-hour pre-license course and completing all the steps in the licensing process, which is one year.

Since your Iowa State salesperson exam is computer-based, you will know your results as soon as you finish the exam. A score report will appear on screen after you hit submit. You will also leave the exam center with a printed score report or receive an emailed score report for your license application.

Yes, you may take the salesperson exam again. Just make sure your 60-hour pre-license course certificate is still valid.

Wait 24 hours before scheduling any retakes of your Iowa State salesperson licensing exam. Then you can go online to your PSI account or call PSI at 855-898-0712. You need to pay the $95 exam fee again.

Each time you take the Iowa State real estate exam will cost $95. All fees are non-refundable or transferable.

In Iowa, you'll need to retake both sections of the exam if you have a failing score in any section. The exam fee is $95.