Get an Iowa Real Estate Salesperson License 

Congratulations on your decision to pursue a career in Real Estate!

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; emaileducation@iowarealtors.com or call 800-532-1515 option 4.

Meet Licensing Requirements 

  1.  A salesperson must be assigned to a licensed broker or firm and can not conduct business independently.
  2.  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.
  3.  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in this or any other state within twelve months prior to the date of application, and whose real estate license has not been revoked in this or any other state within two years prior to the date of application.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:

 Weekday Classroom 60 Hours $460 More Info
 Weekend Classroom 60 Hours  $485 More Info
 REsmarts Online Self Study 60 Hours $425  More Info


 

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

  • As of September 11th, 2017 all applicants and/or licensees will need to go to https://plb.iowa.gov/ and create a login for DataPro (aka "My Iowa PLB") and then submit their request for a fingerprint packet electronically through the application named "General - Background Packet Request."  There is no fee for the packet.  However, the fee to be submitted to the Iowa Real Estate Commission with the completed fingerprint card and waiver form is $51.00.  
  • 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 is comprised 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 byPSI Examination Services atlocations around the state. Register for the computer-based exam by calling 800-733-9267 (24 hours) orwww.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 Real Estate Commission 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. 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:

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. 

Register Now for the Pre-License Bundle

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 Real Estate Commission-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 certificates (completed during the 12 months prior to license application).
  • Proof ofErrors and Omissions insurance.
  • The signature of your sponsoring broker on your license application form.

For questions regarding licensing, please contact:

Iowa Real Estate Commission
6200 Park Ave, Suite 100
Des Moines, IA  50321
https://plb.iowa.gov/
515-725-9027

Consider Joining the Iowa Association of REALTORS®

Not all real estate licensees are equal; only members of the Iowa Association of 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 the Iowa Association of REALTORS®.

 Education Email: education@iowarealtors.com