Iowa State Requirements

Iowa Real Estate Commission

6200 Park Ave

Des Moines, IA  50321

Phone: 515.725.9022
Email: RealEstatecommission@iowa.gov
Website: plb.iowa.gov/board/real-estate-sales-brokers
 

Real Estate Salesperson Licensing Requirements

  • Be 18 years of age
  • Complete the 60-hour prelicense course during the 12 months prior to taking the examination
    • In addition to the 60 hours, all persons applying for a license must show evidence that they have completed the following three courses:
      • 12 hours—Buying Practices
      • 12 hours—Listing Practices
      • 12 hours—Developing Professionalism and Ethical Practices
    • In person or virtual via a live camera
  • Schedule the Iowa Salesperson Licensing Exam with PSI, and pass both state and national portions of the exam
  • Undergo a background check, which is only valid for 120 days
  • Be sponsored by a broker before applying for the license
  • Obtain errors and omissions insurance
  • Complete and submit the Iowa Real Estate Commission Application for individual licensure with sponsoring broker signature
    • Be sponsored by a Broker
    • Passing score report from the testing service (pass notice)
    • You must have your signature notarized on the license application
    • No later than the last working day of the sixth calendar month following the qualifying real estate examination.
    • Completed application must be received within 210 calendar days of the completion of the criminal history check.

Broker Licensing Education Requirements

 

  • Must have 24 months of active salesperson
  • Beginning January 1, 2020, 60 hours of broker pre-license education within 24 months preceding the passing of examinations, shall include the following subjects
    • 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 Organization, Administration and Human Resources- 12 hours
    • Real Estate Technology and Data Security- 6 hours
    • Ethics and Safety Issues for Broker- 6 hours
  • Pass the State and national portions of the examination
  • Undergo a background check- only valid for 120 days
  • Provide verification of current errors and omissions insurance
  • Include current salesperson wall license with application
  • Brokers who have never renewed as a salesperson must provide documentation of attendance of the following three courses: 12 hours Buying Practices, 12 hours Listing Practices, and 12 hours Developing Professionalism and Ethical Practices. 

Real Estate Salesperson Continuing Education Requirements

  • Complete the required 36 hours of CE during every three-year renewal cycle
    • 8 hours Law Update
    • 4 hours Ethics
    • 24 hours Commission Approved Electives
  • Must be completed by December 31 of the expiration year
  • Only 24 hours can be completed via distance education
  • 12 hours of ce must be taken via live instructions
Broker Continuing Education Requirements
  • Complete the required 36 hours of CE during every three-year renewal cycle
    • 8 hours Law Update
    • 4 hours Ethics
    • 24 hours Commission Approved Electives
  •  Must be completed by December 31 of the expiration year
  • The 36 hours must include four hours of mandated ethics and eight hours of legal update
  • Only 24 hours can be completed via distance education

    Exam Information