Professional Development FAQ

Whether you’re already a Realtor® or you’re thinking about getting your real estate license, take a look at some of our frequently asked questions regarding Iowa REALTOR® classes, online real estate license courses and license renewal in Iowa.

A hybrid course is offered both in-person and via Zoom. Attendees are asked to choose their preference prior to the start of class.

You can print your certificates from any classes offered by Iowa REALTORS® School by logging on to My Account  to access (Click on My Account Login and then My Classes) and print your certificates. For non-IAR sponsored Iowa REALTORS® School courses, you must contact each school that sponsored the course. For example if you took three courses from the Iowa Association of REALTORS® - we would have those records. If you took a course from a private business or broker - you need to contact the private business or broker.

License renewal is available online. Visit the Iowa Professional Licensing Bureau (PLB) to renew your license. Note that online license renewal is available only during renewal periods (typically November through January). However, you can visit Iowa PLB at any time to verify the status of any real estate licensee or company.

To renew your license, you must log into My Iowa PLB. If you have not yet logged into the system, click on a new user. Set up your account and link your license. Paper renewals are no longer accepted. During the renewal period, you will click on “Applications/Renewals.” Complete the checklist, upload your course completion certificates, and click “Submit for Review.”

Additional renewal information can be found on the Iowa Real Estate Commissions FAQ page.

Learn more about what you need to do in order to renew your real estate license here . 

Iowa REALTORS® School provides premier online education to those individuals looking to become a REALTOR® or renew their license. The RESmarts Online learning platform offers ease of learning when and where you need it.

Yes. As of June 2025, the Iowa Real Estate Commission has implemented a policy that allows real estate licensees to carry over up to 50% of excess completed CE hours from the previous cycle.

Carryover limit: The maximum number of hours that can be carried over is 18 hours.

Licensees cannot carry over hours toward the mandatory eight-hour Law update course or the four-hour Ethics course. These specific course requirements must still be met each renewal period.

You do not have to turn in your certificates when you renew your license, but you do have to have them on file in case you are audited by the Iowa Real Estate Commission. Certificates for classes taken through the Iowa REALTORS® School are kept online for you in the My Account section of our website.

If you’re interested in renewing online, a maximum of 24 hours may be taken through home study/online real estate courses. Note: Zoom courses are considered “live instruction.” 

Iowa REALTORS® School keeps track of all your educational hours completed through Iowa REALTORS® School. However, any courses or hours completed with a non-Iowa REALTORS® School provider is your responsibility to keep track of.

Take the guess work out of your educational hours, take all your courses with Iowa REALTORS® School. 

Yes, contact the Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing for specific instructions on how to take the exam for renewal.

Iowa REALTORS® School reserves the right to cancel any class for any reason; including but not limited to insufficient enrollment, instructor illness, and closings due to severe weather. Please remember that cancellations or closings should be rare events. In the event of cancellation, registered participants will have the option of a full refund, full credit, or a reserved seat in the next available class at no additional cost.

CANCELLATION by a student, if requested no later than two full days before scheduled course date, will qualify for a full refund. If class cancellation is requested any later than 48 hours prior to class, the refund will be less a $25.00 cancellation fee. Members may log in to the My Account section of our website to cancel a class and receive the appropriate refund. NO SHOWS will be charged the full amount of the course.

Students may RESCHEDULE at no additional cost to attend any future class that is conducted within 90 days of original course date. Requests must be made no later than 72 hours before originally scheduled course time. NO SHOWS will be charged the full amount of the course. If they choose to reschedule they must pay the full price of the course again.

LATE ARRIVALS: In accordance with the Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing’s Administrative rules, successful completion of continuing education requires full time attendance throughout the program, course or activity. A student who arrives late, leaves during class or leaves early shall not receive a certificate and such circumstance will be treated as a no-show and no refund will be granted.