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How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Iowa

96 hours of pre-licensing education, then the PSI exam. State fees come to $271, on top of a course starting at $369.

Requirements set by Iowa Real Estate Commission (IREC).

The steps, in order

  1. 1

    Check you're eligible

    Iowa requires you to be at least 18. Minimum education: High school diploma or GED.

  2. 2

    Complete 96 hours of pre-licensing education

    Iowa Real Estate Commission (IREC) requires 96 hours from an approved school before you can sit the exam.

  3. 3

    Pass the PSI licensing exam

    Iowa uses PSI. The exam is 120 questions, split 80 national and 40 state. The exam fee is $95.

  4. 4

    Submit fingerprints and a background check

    Iowa charges $51 for fingerprinting and the background check.

  5. 5

    Apply for your license

    The application fee is $125, paid to Iowa Real Estate Commission (IREC).

  6. 6

    Complete 36 hours of post-licensing

    Iowa requires post-licensing education after you are licensed, on top of the pre-licensing hours.

  7. 7

    Keep the license current

    Iowa requires 36 hours of continuing education every 3 years to renew.

Worth knowing about Iowa

Iowa requires 96 total pre-licensing hours: 60 hours of Principles and Practices (online allowed) plus three 12-hour classroom courses (Buying Practices, Listing Practices, Developing Professionalism & Ethics). At least 36 of the 96 hours must be live instruction. The 60-hour course must be less than one year old at the time of exam.

Next steps

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Iowa Real Estate License FAQ

How many hours of real estate school does Iowa require? ▾

Iowa Real Estate Commission (IREC) requires 96 hours of approved pre-licensing education before you can sit the licensing exam.

How much does a Iowa real estate license cost? ▾

Iowa charges $271 in state fees: $95 exam fee, $125 application fee, $51 fingerprinting. Your course is the other half of the cost and is priced by the school, not the state.

What are the requirements to get a real estate license in Iowa? ▾

You must be at least 18 and have: High school diploma or GED, complete 96 hours of pre-licensing education, and pass the PSI licensing exam.

What is on the Iowa real estate exam? ▾

Iowa uses PSI. The exam is 120 questions: 80 on national real estate practice and 40 on Iowa law.