Loading...
Loading...
Real Estate Agent
Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
To get a Iowa real estate license in 2026, you must complete 96 hours of Iowa Real Estate Commission-approved pre-licensing education, pass a background check, take and pass the Psychological Services, Inc. (PSI) licensing exam, and find a sponsoring broker. Most applicants finish in 8–16 weeks and spend $471–$822 including course tuition.
Pre-License Hours
$322
Total Gov Fees
120
Exam Questions
3 hrs
Exam Time
Renewal Cycle
Reciprocity
CE Required
Renewal Fee
18 years old
Min. Age
Iowa Real Estate Commission
Authority
⚠ Recent Changes in Iowa
| Minimum Age | 18 years old |
| Education | Not explicitly stated Iowa statute does not explicitly require a high school diploma/GED, though the 18+ age requirement is explicit. |
| Residency | Not required No Iowa residency requirement. |
| Citizenship | Not required No citizenship requirement specified in Iowa statute. |
| Background Check | Required FBI national criminal history check via DCI. Must submit through IREC process only (not directly to FBI/DCI). $51 fee. 5–6 week processing. Valid 210 days. Disqualifying offenses list available on DIAL website. |
| E&O Insurance | Required Errors & Omissions insurance with Iowa coverage required for all active licensees. |
| Sponsoring Broker | Required Must have a licensed Iowa broker sign the application. No inactive license option for new applicants. |
Not sure if you need a real estate license? Check whether your state requires one.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Exam Fee (per attempt) Paid to: PSI Services | |
License Application Fee Paid to: DIAL / IREC | |
Background Check (DCI/FBI) Paid to: DCI via DataPro | |
Fingerprinting Paid to: State/vendor | |
Total Estimated Government Fees | $322 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
See the full cost breakdown with our License Cost Estimator →
Education Requirements
Mostly verifiedTotal Hours Required
Provider Type
IREC-approved schools (must first obtain Iowa College Aid Commission approval, then IREC registration)
Required Courses
All 96 hours must be completed within 1 year before the Commission receives the application. 36 of 96 hours MUST be live/in-person — significant constraint for remote learners.
See our picks for the best real estate programs in Iowa.
Exam Details
VerifiedExam Provider
Total Questions
120
Total Time
180 min
Format
Computer-based, multiple-choice. In-person at PSI test centers or via online proctoring (webcam, quiet room, PSI secure browser required).
Exam Sections
| Section | Questions | Time | Passing |
|---|---|---|---|
| National | 80 | 120 min | 70% |
| State (Iowa) | 40 | 60 min | 70% |
Retake Policy
Cannot retake same day. Earliest retake: next business day. Only failed section must be retaken. No limit on retake attempts. $95 per attempt. Passing scores valid for 6 months (last business day of 6th month).
5–10 additional unscored experimental questions. Registration valid for 90 days — must schedule and take within that window. Test centers: West Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, Waterloo, plus nationwide PSI centers.
For study strategies and what to expect on test day, see our guide to passing the real estate exam.
Take the approved 60-hour Real Estate Principles & Practices course (online or in-person). This is required before the exam.
Estimated time: 2–8 weeks
Create My Iowa PLB account, submit 'RE - Background Request' electronically, pay $51, get fingerprinted. This takes 5–6 weeks — start concurrently with education.
Estimated time: 5–6 weeks processing
Register at test-takers.psiexams.com/iare. Pay $95. Pass National (56/80 = 70%) and State (28/40 = 70%) sections. Must schedule within 90 days of registration.
Estimated time: 1–2 weeks
Complete Buying Practices, Listing Practices, and Developing Professionalism & Ethical Practices (36 hrs total, live instruction only). Can be done before or after exam but before application.
Estimated time: 1–4 weeks
Affiliate with a licensed Iowa broker (must sign application). Obtain E&O insurance with Iowa coverage.
Estimated time: 1–4 weeks
Submit via My Iowa PLB portal. Upload education certificates, E&O proof, broker certification (PDF format). Pay $125 application fee. Deadline: last business day of 6th month after exam pass.
Estimated time: Variable processing
Renewal Details
Mostly verifiedRenewal Cycle
CE Hours
Renewal Fee
Deadline & Late Policy
December 31 of renewal year. Renewal window opens November 16. Late renewal with $25 fee through January 31.
First Renewal Notes
No reduced CE requirement identified for first-time renewals. Iowa appears to apply the full 36-hour requirement regardless of when the license was issued within the cycle. Recommend confirming with IREC.
Alternative to CE: may retake full licensing exam (both sections) between July 1–December 31 of renewal year. Inactive licensees: CE waived, E&O not required, must still renew and pay fee.
Regulatory Board
For a deeper dive into CE requirements and deadlines, see our real estate license renewal guide or compare deadlines across all 50 states.
See full CE requirements in Iowa: Continuing education details →
Interstate Reciprocity
VerifiedHas Reciprocity
Yes
Type: Conditional Reciprocity
Reciprocal States
| State | Conditions |
|---|---|
| Arkansas (AR) | Must be AR resident, originally licensed there, same firm in both states. |
| Georgia (GA) | Must be GA resident, originally licensed there, same firm in both states. |
| Louisiana (LA) | Must be LA resident, originally licensed there, same firm in both states. |
| Massachusetts (MA) | Must be MA resident, originally licensed there, same firm in both states. |
| Minnesota (MN) | Must be MN resident, originally licensed there, same firm in both states. |
| Mississippi (MS) | Must be MS resident, originally licensed there, same firm in both states. |
| North Dakota (ND) | Must be ND resident, originally licensed there, same firm in both states. |
Reciprocity does NOT apply once applicant has moved to Iowa. Non-reciprocal state licensees may use Rule 5.3 pathway: state exam only (except CA, FL, NJ, NY, WI which require full national + state exam). Must hold active license, not inactive/expired >6 months.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Iowa with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Real Estate Agent Schools in Iowa
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Official Sources
Real Estate Agent requirements in Iowa verified against Iowa Real Estate Commission, April 2026.
All data on this page was verified against the following official sources. Last verified: 2026-04-02.
Report incorrect data — help us keep GetLicenseMap accurate.
GetLicenseMap.com has an advertising relationship with The CE Shop. Clicking links may result in GetLicenseMap.com receiving a commission. This does not affect the price you pay.