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How to get a Real Estate Salesperson license in Iowa

Iowa licenses real estate agents statewide through the Real Estate Commission.1 For the Real Estate Salesperson license you need at least 60 classroom hours2 of training, a passing score on the Iowa real estate salesperson licensing examination (state and national portions)3 and a criminal background check3. The board lists $125 for the initial license4. You renew every 3 years5 and complete at least 36 hours of continuing education5.

Last checked · 21 official sources

Who issues it

Real Estate Commission

Training and experience

Training: at least 60 classroom hours2

Exam

Iowa real estate salesperson licensing examination (state and national portions)3

Fees the board lists

Initial license fee: $1254
Exam fee: $953
Fingerprint and state background check: $516

Renewal

Every 3 years5, at least 36 hours of continuing education5

From another state

Reciprocity agreements, Exam waiver, Universal license recognition and Military service members and spouses78910 Details

On this page
  1. Iowa real estate agent licenses
  2. Applies to every license level
  3. Who needs a Real Estate Salesperson license
  4. Requirements for a Real Estate Salesperson license
  5. How much a Real Estate Salesperson license costs
  6. How to apply
  7. Renewal and continuing education
  8. Moving to Iowa with a license from another state
  9. Real Estate Broker
  10. Firm license
  11. Check a license or report a problem
  12. Laws and rules
  13. Common questions
  14. Real estate agent licenses in other states

Iowa real estate agent licenses

Iowa issues 3 real estate agent credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

LicenseWhat it coversTraining or experienceExamApplication or license fee
Real Estate SalespersonWorks under a licensed broker or firm as a selling, renting or listing agent, and cannot conduct business independently.1Training 60 classroom hours2Yes1$1254
Real Estate BrokerActs for others for compensation in selling, listing, leasing or negotiating real estate. A broker associate holds a broker license but works under another broker.1Training 60 classroom hours1
Experience 24 months3		Yes1$1704
Firm licenseLicense a partnership, association, corporation, professional corporation or professional LLC needs before providing real estate services.11––$1704

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for several of the Iowa real estate agent licenses on this page, so they are shown once here, with the licenses they apply to. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

1. Every license level (all 3)

How to apply

Renewal

How often
Every 3 years512

2. Every license level except Firm license

Requirements

Minimum age
18 years old31
Background check
Background check required3
Fingerprints required1
Check must be completed within 210 calendar days before the application is received. Felonies and listed dishonesty offenses bar consideration for five years after the sentence is completed; other moral-turpitude offenses for one year; the commission can then still deny on the conviction.1
You can ask the board to review your record before you apply6
Residency or citizenship
No Iowa residency requirement and U.S. citizenship is not required, but DIAL verifies U.S. citizenship or lawful presence through SAVE.3
Insurance
Errors and omissions insurance is required for all active licensees; proof is due with an initial application. The commission's group policy is with Rice Insurance Services Center, but another carrier is allowed if it meets 481 IAC ch. 2019.14
Insurance
Minimum independently carried individual coverage: per-claim limit not less than $100,000.15
Also required
Fees sent with a license application are refunded if the commission finds the applicant not qualified; fees for the unexpired term of an issued license are not.4

Fees

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Exam fee$953PSINot refundable
Fingerprint and state background check$516Real Estate CommissionNational criminal history check requested through the commission
License verification to another state$254Real Estate Commission–

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

  1. Obtain errors and omissions insurance.3
Processing time
Staff review: up to 14 business days. Background check: average 5-6 weeks once complete (the exam page says four weeks or more).16

Renewal

Continuing education
At least 36 hours each renewal period512
Required topics
8 hours Law Update17
4 hours Ethics17
24 hours commission-approved electives; up to 18 unused elective hours may carry over17
Approved courses
Approved in advance by the commission; at most 24 hours by distance learning and at least 12 hours live.18

From another state

Route
Universal license recognition
What the board says
Licensure by verification: a license in another jurisdiction with a substantially similar scope, plus proof of passing the Iowa exam portion.9
Conditions
Anyone whose license elsewhere was revoked or voluntarily surrendered is ineligible.19
Route
Military service members and spouses
What the board says
Military education, training or service can be credited toward education or experience with no fee for the credit application; veterans and active-duty spouses with an unrestricted license elsewhere may apply through expedited reciprocity but must pass any required exams.10

3. Every license level except Real Estate Salesperson

Renewal

Renewal fee
$1704

Who needs a Real Estate Salesperson license

Works under a licensed broker or firm as a selling, renting or listing agent, and cannot conduct business independently.1

Work that does not need this license:

  • Owners, spouses of owners, lessors and prospective purchasers acting on their own property without repeated transactions of a like character1

Other rules on who may do this work:

  • Licensed Iowa attorneys, solely as an incident to practicing law1
  • Receivers, bankruptcy trustees, administrators, executors, guardians and people acting under court order, deed of trust, trust agreement or will1

Requirements for a Real Estate Salesperson license

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 2 under Applies to every license level.

Education or training
At least 60 classroom hours2
Real estate principles and practices pre-license course (live or online); must be finished before the exam and be under a year old at exam and at application.3
Who may teach it: Commission-approved provider18
Alternative: Written request to substitute substantially similar coursework completed within 12 months.2
Education or training
12 classroom hours2
Buying Practices (live instruction only)3
Education or training
12 classroom hours2
Listing Practices (live instruction only)3
Education or training
12 classroom hours2
Developing Professionalism and Ethical Practices (live instruction only)3
Exam
Iowa real estate salesperson licensing examination (state and national portions)3
Given by: PSI3
Passing score: 56 on the national portion and 28 on the state portion (84 combined)20
When you can take it: After the 60-hour pre-license course3
National portion: 80 questions, 120 minutes20
State portion: 40 questions, 60 minutes20
Retakes: A failed candidate may re-register and pay the fee again any time the exam is offered, unless the qualifying education period or waiver has expired.5
Time limit: A passed exam stays valid until the last working day of the sixth month after the pass date.3
Exam waived: Licensees of non-reciprocal states may take the Iowa portion only (Rule 5.3).8
Also required
An original salesperson license cannot be issued to inactive status.5

How much a Real Estate Salesperson license costs

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Initial license fee$1254Real Estate CommissionOriginal license; refunded only if the applicant is found not qualified

How to apply

  1. Create a My Iowa PLB account and request the fingerprint packet through the "RE - Background Request" application, paying the $51 fee.6 ia-plb.my.site.com3
  2. Complete the 60-hour principles course with an approved provider.3
  3. Book and pass both exam portions with PSI ($95).3
  4. Complete the three 12-hour live courses.2
  5. Apply through My Iowa PLB by the last working day of the sixth month after the exam, within 210 days of the completed background check, naming your firm or sponsoring broker, then pay the fee when approved.16 ia-plb.my.site.com3

Renewal and continuing education

When it expires
Three-year term; the rest of the issue year counts as a full year. Expires December 31 of the third year.5
Renewal fee
$1254
Exemptions
Renewing to inactive status requires no continuing education.13
Passing the licensing exam (state and national portions) between July 1 and Dec. 31 of the renewal year can replace continuing education.17
A new salesperson cannot use pre-license course credits toward the first renewal term.2
Late renewal
Late renewal fee: $1504 (renewal January 1-30 after expiration)
Reinstatement fee: $255 (after January 30, up to three years after expiration; $25 for each partial or full month, plus the regular renewal fee)
If it expires
Renewal is allowed for 30 days after expiration, with a penalty, but continuing education cannot be finished during that window; without it the license can only renew inactive or lapse.17
After January 30, reinstatement is possible until December 31 of the third year after expiration; after that the former licensee starts over.5

Renewal planner

Enter the expiration date printed on your Iowa Real Estate Salesperson license. The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.

Moving to Iowa with a license from another state

These are the routes the Real Estate Commission publishes for the Real Estate Salesperson license. The other real estate agent licenses have their own routes in their sections below.

Route
Reciprocity agreements
What the board says
Residents of the listed reciprocal states can be licensed by reciprocity on the basis of a license held there.7
States on Iowa's list
Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi and North Dakota7
This is the list of states whose licenses Iowa accepts for this route. It does not say those states accept a Iowa license.
Conditions
Applicant must be a resident of a listed state, hold the original license from that state, and assign the Iowa license to the same real estate company.7
The home-state license must have been issued by examination, and the nonresident broker and firm must also hold Iowa licenses.9
Reciprocity ends once the applicant moves to Iowa.9
Fee
$1254
Route
Exam waiver
What the board says
Rule 5.3: licensees of non-reciprocal states, or anyone who has moved to Iowa, take the Iowa exam portion only with no added education.8
Conditions
License must be active, or inactive or expired for no more than 6 months before passing the exam.8
Applicant submits a written request and license certification from the issuing authority.8
Licensees from California, Florida, New Jersey, New York and Wisconsin take both exam portions.8

Real Estate Broker

Acts for others for compensation in selling, listing, leasing or negotiating real estate. A broker associate holds a broker license but works under another broker.1

Requirements

Education or training
At least 60 classroom hours1
Broker pre-license education in nine subjects, in addition to the salesperson course, completed within 24 months before the exam: 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)3
Who may teach it: Commission-approved provider18
Alternative: Written request to substitute substantially similar coursework.2
Experience
At least 24 months3
Active licensed salesperson experience before applying3
License you must hold first: Iowa or out-of-state salesperson license12
Substitute: Substantially equal experience, such as a former broker or a manager of real estate, may count.1
Substitute: Experience under a former or out-of-state license counts only if that license has not been expired for more than three years.12
Exam
Iowa real estate broker licensing examination (state and national portions)3
Given by: PSI3
Passing score: 60 on the national portion and 30 on the state portion (90 combined)20
When you can take it: After the 60 hours of broker education3
National portion: 75 questions (80 points), 120 minutes20
State portion: 40 questions, 60 minutes20
Retakes: A failed candidate may re-register and pay the fee again any time the exam is offered, unless the qualifying education period or waiver has expired.12
Time limit: A passed exam stays valid until the last working day of the sixth month after the pass date.3
Exam waived: Brokers licensed elsewhere skip added education but take both portions (Rule 5.3).8

Fees

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Initial license fee$1704Real Estate CommissionOriginal license; refunded only if the applicant is found not qualified
Additional officer or partner license$504Real Estate CommissionAdditional officer or partner of a firm

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

  1. Complete 24 months of active salesperson experience.3
  2. Finish the 60 hours of broker education.3
  3. Pass both exam portions with PSI ($95).3
  4. Request the criminal history check through My Iowa PLB ($51).6 ia-plb.my.site.com3
  5. Apply through My Iowa PLB by the last working day of the sixth month after the exam and within 210 days of the completed background check, with fee, education proof and score report.12 ia-plb.my.site.com3

Renewal

When it expires
Three-year term; expires December 31 of the third year.12
Exemptions
Renewing to inactive status requires no continuing education.13
Passing the licensing exam (state and national portions) between July 1 and Dec. 31 of the renewal year can replace continuing education.17
Late renewal
Late renewal fee: $1954 (renewal January 1-30 after expiration)
Reinstatement fee: $2512 (after January 30, up to three years after expiration; $25 for each partial or full month, plus the regular renewal fee)
If it expires
Renewal is allowed until January 30 with a penalty; continuing education cannot be finished in that window.17
A broker who does not reinstate by December 31 of the third year after expiration starts over, first qualifying for a salesperson license.12
A lapsed broker license ends the authority of salespersons assigned to that broker.12

From another state

Route
Reciprocity agreements
What the board says
Residents of the listed reciprocal states can be licensed by reciprocity on the basis of a license held there.7
States on Iowa's list
Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi and North Dakota7
This is the list of states whose licenses Iowa accepts for this route. It does not say those states accept a Iowa license.
Conditions
Applicant must be a resident of a listed state, hold the original license from that state, and assign the Iowa license to the same real estate company.7
The home-state license must have been issued by examination, and the nonresident broker and firm must also hold Iowa licenses.9
Reciprocity ends once the applicant moves to Iowa.9
Fee
$1704
Route
Exam waiver
What the board says
Rule 5.3: brokers licensed elsewhere take both portions of the broker exam with no added education.8
Conditions
License must be active, or inactive or expired for no more than 6 months before passing the exam.8
Applicant submits a written request and license certification from the issuing authority.8
Broker applicant must also meet all Iowa broker criteria.9

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2 and group 3 under Applies to every license level.

Firm license

License a partnership, association, corporation, professional corporation or professional LLC needs before providing real estate services.11

Requirements

Insurance
The firm must carry current E&O coverage for Iowa transactions.11
Business requirements
At least one partner, officer or member must hold an Iowa broker license.11
Business requirements
Iowa-resident firms keep an office in Iowa, open to the public during business hours or by appointment.11
Business requirements
Branch offices need their own license and a named responsible broker.11

Fees

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Initial license fee$1704Real Estate Commission–
Branch office license$504Real Estate CommissionEach branch office
Trade name license$504Real Estate CommissionEach trade name, if licensed

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

  1. Make sure a partner, officer or member holds or gets an Iowa broker license.11
  2. Get E&O coverage for Iowa transactions.11
  3. Apply through My Iowa PLB and pay the fee when approved.16 ia-plb.my.site.com3

Renewal

If it expires
The late reinstatement fee does not apply to firm, branch or trade name licenses, and a firm license cannot go inactive.4

From another state

Route
No reciprocity
What the board says
A nonresident firm needs its own Iowa firm license, with at least one member or officer holding an Iowa broker license; a nonresident firm with an active home-state office need not keep an Iowa office.9

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 3 under Applies to every license level.

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire a real estate agent in Iowa, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Iowa is on the Iowa license lookup page.

Look up a license
ia-plb.my.site.com21
File a complaint
ia-plb.my.site.com13

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Common questions

How long does it take to get a Real Estate Salesperson license in Iowa?

The rules set at least 60 classroom hours2 before you can be licensed. On processing, the board says: Staff review: up to 14 business days. Background check: average 5-6 weeks once complete (the exam page says four weeks or more).16

Can I transfer my real estate agent license to Iowa?

The Real Estate Commission publishes these routes for the Real Estate Salesperson license: reciprocity agreements7, exam waiver8 and universal license recognition9. Conditions and forms.

How often do you renew a Real Estate Salesperson license in Iowa?

Every 3 years5. Continuing education: at least 36 hours5. The renewal fee is $1254.

Real estate agent licenses in other states

Sources

Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.

  1. Iowa Code chapter 543B Real Estate Brokers and SalespersonsIowa Legislature (Iowa Code)Checked November 5, 2026
  2. 481 IAC ch. 2016 Prelicense Education and Continuing EducationIowa Legislature (Iowa Administrative Code)Dated September 30, 2026Checked November 6, 2026
  3. Real Estate Salesperson and Brokers License by ExamIowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (Iowa Real Estate Commission)Checked November 6, 2026
  4. 481 IAC ch. 2009 FeesIowa Legislature (Iowa Administrative Code)Dated September 30, 2026Checked November 5, 2026
  5. 481 IAC ch. 2004 Salesperson LicenseIowa Legislature (Iowa Administrative Code)Dated September 30, 2026Checked November 5, 2026
  6. Criminal History BackgroundIowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (Iowa Real Estate Commission)Checked November 5, 2026
  7. Reciprocity LicensingIowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (Iowa Real Estate Commission)Checked November 5, 2026
  8. Licensed In Another State-Rule 5.3 LicensingIowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (Iowa Real Estate Commission)Checked November 6, 2026
  9. 481 IAC ch. 2005 Licensees of Other Jurisdictions and ReciprocityIowa Legislature (Iowa Administrative Code)Dated September 30, 2026Checked November 5, 2026
  10. 481 IAC ch. 7 Military Service, Veteran Reciprocity, and Spouses of Active-Duty Service MembersIowa Legislature (Iowa Administrative Code)Dated September 30, 2026Checked November 5, 2026
  11. Firm LicensingIowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (Iowa Real Estate Commission)Checked November 5, 2026
  12. 481 IAC ch. 2003 Broker LicenseIowa Legislature (Iowa Administrative Code)Dated September 30, 2026Checked November 5, 2026
  13. Real Estate FAQsIowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (Iowa Real Estate Commission)Checked November 6, 2026
  14. Errors and Omission InsuranceIowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (Iowa Real Estate Commission)Checked November 5, 2026
  15. 481 IAC ch. 2019 Mandatory E&O InsuranceIowa Legislature (Iowa Administrative Code)Dated September 30, 2026Checked November 5, 2026
  16. Application StatusesIowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (Iowa Real Estate Commission)Checked November 5, 2026
  17. IREC Continuing Education RequirementsIowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (Iowa Real Estate Commission)Checked November 5, 2026
  18. Real Estate Licensing Education InformationIowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (Iowa Real Estate Commission)Checked November 5, 2026
  19. 481 IAC ch. 501 Licensure by verificationIowa Legislature (Iowa Administrative Code)Dated September 30, 2026Checked November 5, 2026
  20. PSI Candidate Information Bulletin (hosted by DIAL)Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (Iowa Real Estate Commission)Dated February 8, 2024Checked November 5, 2026
  21. Find a Record or License | Department of Inspections, Appeals, & LicensingIowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and LicensingChecked November 5, 2026