• A salesperson must be assigned to (work for) a licensed broker or firm and cannot conduct business independently.
• Be a person 18 years of age or over. (You may actually sit for the exam before you are 18, but you MUST be 18 before you make the application for a license, which must be within six months after you pass the exam.) An applicant is not ineligible because of citizenship, sex, race, religion, marital status, or national origin, although the application form may require citizenship information.
• Be a person whose application has not been rejected for licensure in this or any other state within twelve months prior to the date of application, and whose real estate license has not been revoked in this or any other state within two years prior to the date of application.

Complete the commission approved 60-hour pre-test course work during the 12 months prior to taking the salesperson exam. Our options:

A criminal background check is required by Iowa law of all real estate license applicants. This process can take 8-10 weeks to complete, but you do not need to wait for your completed background check before applying for your license.

> Background Check Frequently Asked Questions
> Check the status of a previously-submitted background check

Key Points regarding the Background check

• Request a fingerprint packet from the Iowa Real Estate Commission by sending a written request with your name and address by email to sandy.malek@iowa.gov or fax: 515-281-7411. You MUST use the Iowa Real Estate Commission's fingerprint card. No other fingerprint card from any other institution will be accepted.
• Send the completed fingerprint card, signed waiver, and check or money order for $55.25 to the Iowa Real Estate Commission at 1920 SE Hulsizer, Ankeny, Iowa 50021. Make checks payable to the Iowa Real Estate Commission. Please allow 8 to 10 weeks for the fingerprint card to be processed.
• You do not need to wait for your background check to be approved to send in your license application.
• Once the background check has been reviewed by the commission the report is only valid for 210 days.
• An applicant for a real estate salesperson license who has been convicted of forgery, embezzlement, obtaining money under false pretenses, theft, extortion, conspiracy to defraud, or another similar offense, or of any crime involving moral turpitude, in a court of competent jurisdiction in this state or in any other state, jurisdiction, territory, or district of the United States, or in any foreign jurisdiction, may be denied a license by the commission on the grounds of the conviction. “Conviction” is defined in Iowa Code section 543B.15(3) and rule 193E—2.1(543B).

The licensing exam costs $90 and is comprised of the following sections, with a required minimum score for each section.

> Exam Locations and Information
> PSI Licensing Bulletin
> Exam Service - PSI Exams

Key Points regarding the Licensing Exam

1. Register for the computer-based exam with PSI Examination Services 800-733-9267 (24 hours) or www.psiexams.com The cost is $90 each time you take the exam.
2. Do not register for your exam until you have a completion certificate for the Commission-approved 60-hour Pre License course.
3. Examination results are confidential and will only be reported to you and the Iowa Real Estate Commission.
4. If you pass the examination, you will receive a real estate license application form with your score report. You are responsible for submitting your application to the Iowa Real Estate Commission no later than the last working day of the sixth month after the qualifying examination date.
5. If you do not pass, you must retake the examination before you can be licensed. Submit a new registration form and the appropriate fee to PSI and schedule an appointment to retake the examination.

An applicant applying for an original salesperson license must provide evidence of successful completion of the following courses:

• 12 hours of Developing Professionalism and Ethical Practices,
• 12 hours of Buying Practices and
• 12 hours of Listing Practices.

This course work must be completed during the 12 months prior to license application. This education is in addition to the 60–hour salesperson pre license test course. These four courses can be taken in any order.

> View the Additional Required Courses Schedule

You will be provided with a license application upon successfully passing the licensing exam.

When applying for a license you need to submit the following:

1. Complete and notarized Iowa Real Estate Commission-provided application. You must have your signature notarized on the license application form.
2. Completed background check submitted to the Iowa Real Estate Commission.
3. A license fee of $125.
4. A pass notice from the PSI Examination Services.
5. Proof of completion of the 60 hour pre-license course in the form of a completion certificate. (completed during the 12 months prior to license application)
6. Proof of completion of the approved 36 hour pre-license course work in the form of a completion certificates (completed during the 12 months prior to license application).
7. Proof of Errors and Omissions insurance.
8. You must provide the signature of your employing broker on your license application form.

For questions regarding licensing, please contact:

Iowa Real Estate Commission
1920 SE Hulsizer Rd
Ankeny, Iowa 50021
www.state.ia.us/irec
515-281-7393

Not all real estate licensees are equal; only members of the Association of REALTORS® can use the term REALTOR®.

> More information about REALTOR® Association Membership

Back to top