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How to get a real estate license in Iowa. 96 pre-licensing hours required. Government fees: $322. 3-year renewal cycle. Verified 2026-03-22. Data verified 2026-03-22. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Real Estate Agent
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18% of data points are verified against official sources. 9 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Pre-License Hours
$322
Total Gov Fees
120
Exam Questions
3 hrs
Exam Time
Renewal Cycle
Reciprocity
⚠ Recent Changes in Iowa
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
| 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. |
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.
Exam Details
Mostly 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.
| 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 |
Ready to get started in Iowa?
Pre-license courses start at a fraction of the total licensing cost. Study online, at your own pace.
Compare top-rated schools: See our picks for the best real estate schools in Iowa with pricing, reviews, and pass rates.
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
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.
8–24 weeks from start to active license.
Minimum with aggressive pace — background check (5–6 weeks) is the critical bottleneck. Typical: 12–16 weeks. Start background check concurrently with education.
2024-07-01
SF 2291: Written buyer representation agreement required before making offer; written listing agreement required before listing. Aligns with NAR settlement changes.
2024-04-19
HF 2326: Non-licensed employees of brokers may now engage in rental property activities (advertising, showing, collecting rent/deposits).
2025-06-01
New Chapter 22 (HF 2394): Real Estate Wholesaling Consumer Protection Act — licensee involvement required, mandatory disclosures, up to $10,000 civil penalties. Also: CE carryover of up to 18 elective hours now allowed; penalties up to $2,500 for failing to obtain signed buyer agreements.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Iowa.
How this state compares to 48 others for this profession
Timeline
#44 of 49
Salary
#49 of 49
Cost
#26 of 49
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Real Estate Sales Agents (SOC 41-9022)
Entry Level
$24,190
25th percentile
Median
$36,420
-35% vs. national avg ($56,320)Experienced
$60,960
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
670 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)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+1.8%
Below AverageNew Jobs
+6,500
over 10 years
Annual Openings
42,900
per year (avg.)
359,300 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Real Estate Career Ladder+118% salary growth potential
You are here
Real Estate Agent
$36,420
Pre-licensing education (40-180 hours) + state exam
You are here
Real Estate Agent
Pre-licensing education (40-180 hours) + state exam
$36,420
2-3 years experience + additional education + broker exam
$116,920
AQB courses + supervised experience (varies by tier)
$79,420
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
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 8–24 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Study guides and practice tests for the real estate licensing exam.
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All data on this page was verified against the following official sources. Last verified: 2026-03-22.
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