Iowa Real Estate License Requirements

You’ve got everything you need to know about getting your Iowa real estate license right here. We’ll cover licensing requirements, exam details, fees, and the documents you need for both salespersons and brokers.

What you need to get a real estate license in Iowa

Salesperson:

• Be at least 18 years old (You may actually sit for the exam before you are 18, but you must be 18 before you submit the application for a license.)
• Be free of any license application denials in any state within the past 12 months and must not have had a real estate license revoked in any state within the last two years before applying.
• Successfully complete the Commission-approved 60-hour pre-license course in real estate education during the 12 months before taking the salesperson examination.
• Go through a background check.
• Complete and pass the real estate examination.
• Have errors and omissions insurance.
• Once you pass the real estate exam, you will receive an application that must be submitted, ensuring you have broker sponsorship to apply.

Broker:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be free of any license application denials in any state within the past 12 months and must not have had a real estate license revoked in any state within the last two years before applying.
• Successfully complete the Commission-approved 60-hour pre-license course in real estate education during the 24 months before taking the broker examination.
• Hold an active real estate salesperson license with at least 24 months of real estate experience immediately before the application date.
• Go through a background check.
• Complete and pass the real estate examination.
• Have errors and omissions insurance.
• Once you pass the real estate exam, you will receive an application that must be submitted.

What is the passing score for the Iowa real estate license exam?

The salesperson and broker exam comprises 120 questions, 80 national and 40 state law questions. To pass the salesperson exam, you must answer no less than 56 national and 28 state-specific questions correctly, and to pass the broker exam, you must answer no less than 60 national and 30 state-specific questions correctly.

You will obtain your score as soon as you finish the exam, and a score report will be emailed to you.

What is the time limit for the Iowa real estate exam?

For both the salesperson and broker exams, you have 120 minutes to complete the national portion and 60 minutes for the state-specific portion.

What to bring for the state of Iowa real estate license exam?

Must bring one form of identification which bears your signature and have your photograph. Your name, as shown on the application form, must exactly match the name on the photo ID used when checking in at the examination site.

What is the format of the exam?

The exam is computer-based and has multiple-choice questions.

What is the exam content?

The national portion of the salesperson and broker real estate exams contains the following topics:

• Property Ownership.
• Land use Controls.
• Valuation.
• Financing.
• Contracts.
• Agency.
• Property Disclosures.
• Property Management.
• Transfer of Title.
• Practice of Real Estate.
• Real Estate Calculations.

The state portion of the salesperson and broker real estate exams contains the following topics:

• Licensing Requirements.
• Disciplinary Actions: Suspension, Revocation, and Voluntary Compliance.
• Real Estate Education.
• Trust Accounts.
• Contracts.
• Agency.
• Prop Disclosure Requirements.
• Iowa Civil Rights Act of 1965.
• Unlicensed Assistants.
• Broker Responsibilities.
• Property Management.

Sources

• Iowa Real Estate Commission Licensing Information Bulletin.
• PSI Examination Online AMP.
• Iowa Real Estate Commission.