How do I become a licensed Real Estate Agent in Idaho?

Complete 90-Hour Pre-Licensing Course: Complete both Module 1 (45 hrs) and Module 2 (45 hrs) from an IREC-approved provider. Pass the Pearson VUE Licensing Exam: Register and pay $80 exam fee. Pass both National (70%) and State (70%) sections. Complete Background Check: Submit fingerprints for state and federal background check. Affiliate with a Broker and Apply to IREC: Secure a sponsoring designated broker. Submit application with $135 license fee.

How much does it cost to become a Real Estate Agent in Idaho?

The total estimated cost to become a Real Estate Agent in Idaho is $301. This typically includes application fees, exam fees, training costs, and any required background checks.

Real Estate Agent

IdahoReal Estate Salesperson License Requirements

Q: Can I transfer my Real Estate Agent license to Idaho?

Idaho does not directly accept out-of-state Real Estate Agent licenses. You may need to apply through the state licensing authority. While Idaho has no formal reciprocity, it offers a national exam waiver for applicants holding an active license in another state. Only the Idaho state exam portion is required. All other requirements (education, background check, fees) still apply.

Q: How many pre-licensing hours does Idaho require for a real estate license?

Idaho requires 90 hours of pre-licensing education. Both modules must be completed before taking the exam. Post-licensing: varies by first renewal cycle.

Salesperson — IRECLast verified: 2026-03-22

Governing Authority

Idaho Real Estate Commission

Official website →

Some information on this page has not been fully verified.

10% of data points are verified against official sources. 7 fields based on preliminary research. 2 fields need verification. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data

Pre-License Hours

$301

Total Gov Fees

120

Exam Questions

4 hrs

Exam Time

Renewal Cycle

Reciprocity

⚠ Recent Changes in Idaho

2026-01-01: HIGH PRIORITY: IREC 'Fee Holiday' effective Jan 1, 2026. Some or all licensing and renewal fees may be temporarily waived or reduced. Check dopl.idaho.gov/rec Board News for current fee amounts.
2025-07-01: License application fee reduced from $160 to $135.

Application Process

Complete 90-Hour Pre-Licensing Course

Complete both Module 1 (45 hrs) and Module 2 (45 hrs) from an IREC-approved provider.

Estimated time: 4–10 weeks

Pass the Pearson VUE Licensing Exam

Estimated time: 1–2 weeks

Complete Background Check

Submit fingerprints for state and federal background check.

Estimated time: 2–4 weeks

Affiliate with a Broker and Apply to IREC

Secure a sponsoring designated broker. Submit application with $135 license fee.

Estimated time: 1–4 weeks

Basic Requirements

Minimum Age	18 years old
Education	High school diploma or equivalent
Residency	Not required Non-residents may obtain an Idaho license.
Citizenship	US citizen or legal resident
Background Check	Required State and federal fingerprint-based background check required.
E&O Insurance	Required Errors & Omissions insurance required for all active licensees.
Sponsoring Broker	Required Must affiliate with an Idaho-licensed designated broker.

Pre-Licensing Education

Education Requirements

Mostly verified

Total Hours Required

Provider Type

IREC-approved education providers

Required Courses

✓Module 1: Real Estate Fundamentals (45 hrs — property law, ownership, contracts, agency, financing, closings, appraisal, fair housing)

✓Module 2: Idaho Real Estate Practice (45 hrs — Idaho-specific law, license law, trust accounts, Commission rules, contracts)

Both modules must be completed before taking the exam. Post-licensing: varies by first renewal cycle.

View approved schools →

Licensing Exam

Exam Details

Needs verification

Exam Provider

Total Questions

120

Total Time

240 min

Format

Computer-based, multiple-choice. In-person at test centers.

Exam Sections

Section	Questions	Time	Passing
National	80	150 min	70%
State (Idaho)	40	90 min	70%

Retake Policy

May retake failed section(s). Must pass within 1 year of education completion. $80 per attempt.

70% passing score on both sections. Test centers in Boise, Idaho Falls, Coeur d'Alene, Twin Falls, and Pocatello.

Schedule your exam →

Fee Breakdown

Fee	Amount	Confidence
Exam Fee (per attempt) Paid to: Pearson VUE		Mostly verified
License Application Fee Paid to: IREC		Mostly verified
Background Check / Fingerprinting Paid to: Idaho State Police / Vendor		Mostly verified
Total Estimated Government Fees	$301

Ready to get started in Idaho?

Pre-license courses start at a fraction of the total licensing cost. Study online, at your own pace.

See Course Pricing →

Compare top-rated schools: See our picks for the best real estate schools in Idaho with pricing, reviews, and pass rates.

License Renewal

Renewal Details

Needs verification

Renewal Cycle

CE Hours

Renewal Fee

Deadline & Late Policy

Biennial renewal cycle.

First Renewal Notes

First renewal requires 12-hour post-licensing course plus 2 mandatory core courses in addition to standard CE.

Idaho does not have traditional reciprocity but waives the national exam portion for active out-of-state licensees.

Regulatory Board

Idaho Real Estate Commission· (208) 334-3285

Reciprocity

Interstate Reciprocity

Verified

Has Reciprocity

Type: No Formal Reciprocity (National Exam Waiver Available)

While Idaho has no formal reciprocity, it offers a national exam waiver for applicants holding an active license in another state. Only the Idaho state exam portion is required. All other requirements (education, background check, fees) still apply.

Additional Information

Estimated Timeline

6–18 weeks from start to active license.

Minimum with intensive study. Typical: 10–14 weeks.

Recent Changes

2026-01-01

HIGH PRIORITY: IREC 'Fee Holiday' effective Jan 1, 2026. Some or all licensing and renewal fees may be temporarily waived or reduced. Check dopl.idaho.gov/rec Board News for current fee amounts.

2025-07-01

License application fee reduced from $160 to $135.

Frequently Asked Questions

Your Next Steps

Other Licenses in Idaho

Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Idaho.

Nearby States

MontanaRE license requirements →NevadaRE license requirements →OregonRE license requirements →UtahRE license requirements →WashingtonRE license requirements →WyomingRE license requirements →

State Rankings

Compare all states

How this state compares to 48 others for this profession

Timeline

#35 of 49

Salary

#48 of 49

Cost

#21 of 49

Salary & Earnings

Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Real Estate Sales Agents (SOC 41-9022)

Entry Level

$29,180

25th percentile

Median

$37,090

-34% vs. national avg ($56,320)

Experienced

$53,740

75th percentile

Wage Distribution (Annual)

$22,410

10th

$29,180

25th

$37,090

Median

$53,740

75th

$86,940

90th

1,010 employed in this state

Note: Real estate agent compensation is heavily commission-based. BLS OEWS data reflects base wages reported by employers and may undercount total earnings.

Source: BLS OEWS – Real Estate Sales Agents (May 2024)

Job Outlook & Growth

National employment projections for 2024-2034

Projected Growth

+1.8%

Below Average

New Jobs

+6,500

over 10 years

Annual Openings

42,900

per year (avg.)

vs. all occupations (4% avg.):-2.2 percentage points

359,300 currently employed nationwide (2024)

Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)

Career Advancement Path

Real Estate Career Ladder+85% salary growth potential

You are here

Real Estate Agent

$37,090

Pre-licensing education (40-180 hours) + state exam

Real Estate Broker

2-3 years experience + additional education + broker exam

Real Estate Appraiser

$68,700

AQB courses + supervised experience (varies by tier)

You are here

Real Estate Agent

Pre-licensing education (40-180 hours) + state exam

$37,090

Real Estate Broker

2-3 years experience + additional education + broker exam

Real Estate Appraiser

AQB courses + supervised experience (varies by tier)

$68,700

Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook

Licensing Cost Breakdown

Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license

Exam Fee (per attempt)

$80

License Application Fee

$135

Background Check / Fingerprinting

$40

Total Government Fees$255

Time investment: 1 months–4 months

Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.

Source: IREC — Official Website

Time to Get Licensed

Estimated total: 6–18 weeks

Complete 90 hours of pre-licensing education

4–10 weeks

Submit license application

1 day

Complete fingerprinting & background check

2–4 weeks(can overlap with previous step)

Application review & processing

2–6 weeks

Schedule and pass the licensing exam

1–2 weeks

Receive license & affiliate with broker

1–2 weeks

Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.

Source: IREC — Official Website

Real Estate Exam Prep Books for Idaho

Study guides and practice tests for the real estate licensing exam.

Browse Study Guides on Amazon →

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Professional Equipment & Supplies for Idaho

Shop essential tools and supplies to get started in your career.

Lockboxes →Open House Signs →Business Card Holders →

Sources

All data on this page was verified against the following official sources. Last verified: 2026-03-22.

IREC — Official WebsiteAccessed: 2026-02-24 · No publication date visible
US Realty Training — Idaho Real Estate ExamAccessed: 2026-02-24 · No publication date visible
Idaho Real Estate CommissionAccessed: 2026-03-20 · RealEstateU
Idaho DOPL — Real Estate CommissionAccessed: 2026-03-22 · Audit reference — check for Fee Holiday details and exam provider confirmation

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Disclaimer: This information is compiled from official state licensing board websites and verified against multiple sources. Always confirm current requirements directly with your state's licensing authority, as licensing rules can change. Links to official state resources are provided for each data point. LicenseMap does not provide legal, financial, or tax advice. See something incorrect? Report it here.

Find Real Estate Schools in Idaho

Idaho requires 90 hours of pre-licensing education. Compare approved online schools and start your real estate career.

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