How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Iowa

Checked against Iowa Real Estate Commission (Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing) · Verified 2026-10-11

Exam: Required
Training: Required
Term: Up to 3 years: the year issued counts as a full year, and the license expires December 31 of the third year
State fee: Salesperson license fee: $125 (481 IAC 2009.1), for the original license or a renewal.
Licensed by: Iowa Real Estate Commission (Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing)

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Who can apply

Be at least 18 years old when you apply (you may take the exam earlier).
Show U.S. citizenship or lawful presence; Iowa verifies it through the federal SAVE system (there is no residency or citizenship-only requirement).
Not have had a license application rejected in any state within the past 12 months, or a real estate license revoked within the past 2 years.
Pass a national FBI fingerprint-based criminal history check.
Be associated with an Iowa broker or firm; a salesperson license cannot be issued to inactive status.

Step by step

Complete the 60-hour Real Estate Principles and Practices course (live or online) from a Commission-approved provider.
Within 12 months of finishing that course, register with PSI and pass both the national and Iowa state portions of the salesperson exam.
Complete three 12-hour live-instruction courses: Buying Practices, Listing Practices, and Developing Professionalism and Ethical Practices.
Request a fingerprint packet through your My Iowa PLB account ("RE - Background Request") and pay the $51 fee.
Get errors and omissions (E&O) insurance.
Have your sponsoring broker sign, then submit the application in My Iowa PLB with the $125 license fee by the last working day of the sixth month after your exam, and within 210 days of your completed criminal history check.

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Training and exam

Training: 60 hours of real estate principles and practices (live instruction or online) completed within the 12 months before the exam, plus three 12-hour courses taken by live instruction: Developing Professionalism and Ethical Practices, Buying Practices, and Listing Practices. All courses must be from Commission-approved providers and less than 1 year old when the Commission receives your completed application. The prelicense education expires after 12 months.

Exam: Given by PSI at test sites in West Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs and Waterloo, or by remote proctoring. Each exam registration expires after 90 days, so you must test within 90 days of registering. Salesperson national portion: 80 questions, 120 minutes, pass with 56 correct. Iowa state portion: 40 questions, 60 minutes, pass with 28 correct. Both together: 120 questions, 180 minutes. Fee: $95, not refundable or transferable. You may retake a failed exam any time it is offered by registering and paying again, as long as your prelicense education has not expired. Passing scores stay valid until the last working day of the sixth month after the pass date.

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What it costs in Iowa

Fixed amounts are set by the state. Items marked “your quote” are priced by private sellers, so enter what you’re quoted.

60-hour Principles and Practices course tuition$
PSI exam fee$95
Three 12-hour live courses (Buying, Listing, Professionalism and Ethics) tuition$
Fingerprint and criminal history check$51
Errors and omissions insurance$
Salesperson license fee$125

Estimated total in Iowa$271Plus 3 items with no state-set price. Add your quotes above to complete the total.

Cost details from the state

PSI exam fee: $95.
Fingerprint and criminal history check: $51.
Errors and omissions insurance: required; coverage must be at least $100,000 per claim and $100,000 annual aggregate. The Commission's group policy is with Rice Insurance Services Center (RISC), but you may use another carrier that meets the rules.
Prelicense course tuition: set by each provider; not stated by the Commission.

How long it takes

Iowa DIAL says the criminal history check takes about 5 to 6 weeks on average once the Commission has your completed background application, fingerprint card and $51 fee.

What other sites get wrong about Iowa

Myth: New Iowa salespersons take 36 hours of post-license education in their first 12 months of licensure.

Fact: The three 12-hour live courses (Buying Practices, Listing Practices, and Developing Professionalism and Ethical Practices) must be completed before you apply for the license, not after. source

After you're licensed

Renewal: Licenses expire December 31 of the third year and are renewed online; the renewal fee is $125. Renewals received from January 1 to January 30 cost $150 (including a $25 penalty); after January 30 the license must be reinstated. To renew on active status, complete 36 hours of approved CE each 3-year cycle: 8 hours Law Update, 4 hours Ethics, and 24 hours of electives; up to 18 elective hours may carry over. At least 12 of the 36 hours must be live instruction (no more than 24 by distance learning). E&O coverage must stay in force without a break. You may renew to inactive status without CE.

Good to know in Iowa

Sponsoring broker: A salesperson is assigned to a licensed broker or firm and cannot do business independently. Your broker must sign your application for the original license.

Criminal history timing: The background check takes about 5–6 weeks on average. Your license application must reach the Commission within 210 calendar days after the check is completed, or it is returned.

Out-of-state licensees: Licensees from states without a reciprocity agreement with Iowa must get a letter of authorization from the Commission and pass the Iowa state portion of the exam.

Sources

General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change — confirm with Iowa Real Estate Commission (Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing) before you apply.