Education
How to become a REALTOR®
Get a License
Real Estate Salesperson License
We offer both classroom and online training and resources to help you get a real estate salesperson license. Outlined below is a list of things you will need to do in order to get your Iowa Real Estate license. Keep in mind there is no exact order in which to complete the below requirements but there are strictly enforced timelines. Make sure to have a plan!
Have a question? We are always happy to help; email education@iowarealtors.com or call 800-532-1515 option 3.
Meet Licensing Requirements
- A salesperson must be assigned to a licensed broker or firm and cannot conduct business independently.
- You must be 18 years of age or older. (You may actually sit for the exam before you are 18, but you MUST be 18 before you make the application for a license, which must be within six months after you pass the exam.) An applicant is not ineligible because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, residency or citizenship although the application form may require citizenship information.
- You must not have had an application rejected for licensure in this or any other state within twelve months prior to the date of application, and whose real estate license has not been revoked in this or any other state within two years prior to the date of application.
Take a 60-Hour Salesperson Pre-License Course
Completion of an Iowa Real Estate Commission-approved course is required before you may take the Real Estate Exam.
Our courses are approved by the Iowa Real Estate Commission, and we offer the following options:
Complete a Background Check
A criminal background check is required by Iowa law of all real estate licensee applicants. This process can take 8-10 weeks to complete, but you do not need to wait for your completed background check before applying for your license.
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).
Pass the Iowa Licensing Exam
The licensing exam costs $95 and consists of the following sections, with a required minimum score for each section.
| Section |
# Questions | Passing Score | Time Allowed |
| National | 80 | 56 | 120 minutes |
| State | 40 | 28 | 60 minutes |
| Combined Total | 120 | 84 | 180 minutes |
More information is available in the PSI Exam Bulletin.
Key Points Regarding the Licensing Exam
- The exam is administered by PSI Examination Services at locations around the state. Register for the computer-based exam by calling 800-733-9267 (24 hours) or www.psiexams.com. The cost is $95 each time you take the exam. View PSI Exam Locations
- Do not register for your exam until you have a completion certificate for the Commission-approved 60-hour Pre-License course. Your certificate will be issued by the Iowa Association of REALTORS®.
- Examination results are confidential and will only be reported to you and the Iowa Real Estate Commission.
- If you pass the examination, you will receive a real estate license application form with your score report. You are responsible for submitting your application to the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing.
- Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing no later than the last working day of the sixth month after the qualifying examination date.
- If you do not pass, you must retake the examination before you can be licensed. You are not required to retake the tests you have passed. Submit a new registration form and the appropriate fee to PSI and schedule an appointment to retake the examination.
Complete Additional Required Courses
An applicant applying for an original salesperson license must provide evidence of successful completion of the following courses:
- 12 hours of Buying Practices
- 12 hours of Listing Practices
- 12 hours of Developing Professionalism and Ethical Practices
This course work must be completed during the 12 months prior to license application. These classes must be taken in person or virtual via a live camera. This education is in addition to the 60–hour salesperson pre-license course. These courses can be taken in any order.
Save Over $100 Now on Pre-License Bundle
Bundle and save $106 when you register for the 60 hour Pre-license course and the 3 additional 12 hour courses.
Apply for a Real Estate License
You will be provided with a license application upon successfully passing the licensing exam.
When applying for a license you need to submit the following:
- Completed and notarized Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing provided application. You must have your signature notarized on the license application form.
- Completed background check submitted to the Iowa Real Estate Commission.
- A license fee of $125.
- A pass notice from the PSI Examination Services.
- Proof of completion of the 60-hour Pre-License course in the form of a completion certificate (completed during the 12 months prior to license application).
- Proof of completion of the approved additional 36-hour Pre-License course work in the form of a completion certificate (completed during the 12 months prior to license application).
- Proof of Errors and Omissions insurance.
- The signature of your sponsoring broker on your license application form.
For questions regarding licensing, please contact:
Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing
6200 Park Ave, Suite 100
Des Moines, IA 50321
515-725-9027
Consider Joining Iowa REALTORS®
Not all real estate licensees are equal; only members of Iowa REALTORS® can use the term REALTOR®.
If your broker is not already a member of the Association, talk with your broker about the membership benefits of Iowa REALTORS®.
- Membership benefits
- How to join
Education Email: education@iowarealtors.com
Online Pre-License Courses
- This course is entirely self-contained online – no additional textbooks or study materials are needed.
- No additional classroom time is required
- No instructor or course assistance is available
- No additional books or study material are required or provided (but you can print material presented on-screen while working online)
- Additional study material is available for purchase. Please contact our professional development staff at education@iowarealtors.com
- You MUST complete the online course within six months. Extensions cannot be granted. Per Iowa law, there are no exceptions to this rule.
