Education
How to become a Broker
Get a License
Real Estate Broker License
Our complete classroom Pre-Broker series provides you with the training you need to earn your broker's license.Outlined below is a list of things you will need to do in order to get your Iowa Real Estate Broker license.
Have a question? We are always happy to help; email education@iowarealtors.com or call 800-532-1515 option 3.
Meet Licensing Requirements
- When you apply for a broker's license you must have been a licensed active salesperson for 24 months.
- You must complete 60 hours of prescribed broker classes (see below for the nine required pre-broker classes).
- You can take the 60 hours in any order.
- Each course certificate is valid for 24 months from the date of completion. Each certificate expires individually. You must complete all the courses and pass the examination before the expiration of the first certificate.
- If a certificate expires you must repeat the course to receive a valid certificate.
- You must present all the valid certificates to the testing center the day of your exam.
- You have until the last working day of the sixth month following the date you pass the examination to apply for your broker license.
- A state and federal criminal background check is required for new broker applicants. See the information below for more details.
Licensing questions should be directed to the Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing at 515-725-9027.
For education questions or to register for a course contact the Iowa REALTORS® School of Real Estate at 800-532-1515 option 3 or register online.
Complete a Background Check
Important - a completed background check is only valid for 210 days, so you should plan your education and test schedule accordingly. Background checks can take up to 8-10 weeks to be completed.
Key Points Regarding the Background Check
- All applicants and/or licensees will need to go to the Iowa Professional Licensing Bureau and create a login ("My Iowa PLB") and then submit their request for a fingerprint packet electronically through the application named "General - Background Packet Request." The fee is $51. The completed card and waiver form must be returned to the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing.
- You do not need to wait for your background check to be approved to send in your license application.
- Once the background check has been reviewed by the commission the report is only valid for 210 days.
- An applicant for a real estate salesperson license who has been convicted of forgery, embezzlement, obtaining money under false pretenses, theft, extortion, conspiracy to defraud, or another similar offense, or of any crime involving moral turpitude, in a court of competent jurisdiction in this state or in any other state, jurisdiction, territory, or district of the United States, or in any foreign jurisdiction, may be denied a license by the commission on the grounds of the conviction.
- “Conviction” is defined in Iowa Code section 543B.15(3) and rule 193E—2.1(543B).
Complete the Required Pre-Broker Classes
16.3(2) Required course of study beginning January 1, 2020. Beginning January 1, 2020, the required course of study to take the broker examination shall consist of at least 60 classroom hours. Approved courses shall be completed within 24 months prior to the applicant’s taking the broker examination and shall include the following subjects:
| Course | Hours |
|---|---|
| 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 & Human Resources | 12 Hours |
| Real Estate Technology and Data Security | 6 Hours |
| Ethics and Safety Issues for Brokers | 6 Hours |
View the full Pre-Broker class schedule
*If you take this 2 hour course, Avoiding Issues That Impede Professionalism, in the same renewal period as the pre-broker 6 hour course Federal and State Laws Affecting Iowa Practice, that will satisfy the 8 hour Law Update Requirement for your license renewal.
Take the Broker Exam
Testing for the Broker Exam is administered by +PSI Examination Services at locations across the state.
About the Exam
| Section | # of Questions | Passing Score | Time Allowed |
| National | 80 | 60 | 120 minutes |
| State | 40 | 30 | 60 minutes |
| Combined | 120 | 90 | 180 minutes |
How to Register for the Exam
- Register by phone: 800-733-9267 from 7:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Central Time
- Register online at www.psiexams.com
Apply for your Broker License
After you have passed the examination, you MUST apply for your real estate broker's license not later than the last business day of the sixth month following the qualifying examination test date.
Filing deadlines are ABSOLUTE.
You will need to attach the following items to your license application:
- A license fee of $170
- A pass notice from the examination service
- Proof of completing 60 hours of education within 24 months prior to taking the examination
- Your Iowa salesperson license, or an explanation if your license has been held inactive or if you do not have an Iowa salesperson license
- Proof of E&O Insurance
Tips for completing your application:
- You must complete the "Nonresident Consent" section of the application if you reside outside of Iowa
- If your application is for a proprietor, partner, or officer and you intend to accept earnest monies, you must submit a "Consent to Examine and Audit Trust Account" form. If not, you must submit a "Trust Account Status Affidavit". These forms can be obtained from the Iowa Real Estate Commission or athttps://plb.iowa.gov/trust-account-section
Education Email: education@iowarealtors.com
Pre-Broker Bundle
Sign up for all nine of the virtual Pre-broker courses* to get your Broker's License and save over $100, AND you get the - Pre Broker Exam Prep ($100 value) for free.
| Course | Hours |
|---|---|
| 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 & Human Resources | 12 Hours |
| Real Estate Technology and Data Security | 6 Hours |
| Ethics and Safety Issues for Brokers | 6 Hours |
*Hybrid courses mean you can join the classroom or take virtual via Zoom* (live streaming). Click the button above for details on the class times.
**Virtual Course offered via Zoom with a live instructor. A camera and microphone is required.