Iowa REALTORS®

How to Renew Your License 

Renew Your License

Being a real estate agent is fulfilling and rewarding, and Iowa REALTORS® is here to help you along the way.

Here you will get a step-by-step look at what it takes to renew your real estate license, including the courses you need to take and the items you'll need to have on file. 

What is Hybrid? 

Iowa REALTORS® School of Real Estate understands that you're a busy professional. That's why we offer courses that fit your needs, whether that's online or in-person. We offer a hybrid course option that allows students to attend in-person in our West Des Moines office or online via Zoom. You get to choose! 

Step 1: Complete Courses for Renewal 

Up to 24 hours may be taken by home study or online; with 12 hours taken through "live instruction" in-person or via Zoom. 

Course  Required Hours  Format 
Law Update                                                            8 Hours         Classroom or Online
Ethics  4 Hours  Classroom or Online 
Electives 24 Hours Classroom or Online

*In order to satisfy the Ethics requirement as a member of the National Association of REALTORS®, Ethics must be taken from NAR, IAR or a local board/association of Realtors. An Ethics course offered by a brokerage or outside school would not satisfy NAR's requirements. 

Class Equivalencies

Some courses meet the requirements for the mandatory Law Update and/or Ethics courses:

  • Federal & State Laws Affecting Real Estate (6 hours) + Impeding Professionalism (2 hours) equals Law Update
  • Developing Professionalism equals Ethics (4 hours) and Elective (8 hours)
  • Other class equivalencies may exist. Contact the Education department for assistance.

Course Completion Certificates

After you complete a course, a course completion certificate will be issued to you. This certificate includes a course number that is used by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing to verify your completion of the course. Save all of your course completion certificates. All course certificates provided through the IAR School of Real Estate are available online in the My Account section of our website. Log in to My Account to access (Click on "Events" and then "My Classes") and print your certificates. Please note that course certificates for courses taken with other education providers are not available in the My Account section.

Step 2: Renew Your License 

License renewal opens November 16. Visit the Iowa Professional Licensing Bureau to renew your license. Note that online license renewal is available only during renewal periods (typically November through January). However, you can visit the Iowa Professional Licensing Bureau 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 forgot or are unsure of your My Iowa PLB username, please contact Commission staff at  (515) 725-9027, Ext. 8.

DO NOT click on “New User?” and create a second account.

Check out the Iowa Real Estate Tips & Tricks Page for helpful hints on renewing your license. 

Education Email: education@iowarealtors.com

Frequently Asked Renewal Questions

How Do I Renew My Real Estate License?

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.

Can I Carry Over Hours From One Licensing Period to the Next?

No. You must complete the required Iowa Realtor® classes within the three years of your renewal cycle and before your renewal. There is no 30-day grace period to complete education. If your continuing education is not completed by your licenses’ expiration date, you must renew your real estate license to the inactive status.

If I Don’t Have My Hours In For Renewal, Can I Take the Real Estate Exam Again Instead?

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

Questions? Get in Touch

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