Salesperson Licensing
Requirements to Obtain a Salesperson License:
- Must be 18 years of age - no residency or citizenship requirement
- Must be sponsored by broker after they pass the exam; cannot apply for an inactive license
- Complete the 60-hour pre-license course from an approved provider
- In addition to the 60-hour pre-licensing salesperson course, all persons applying for a salesperson license beginning January 1, 2009 must show evidence that the following three courses have been completed:
- 12-hours Buying Practices
- 12-hours Listing Practices
- 12-hours Developing Professionalism and Ethical Practices
- Successfully pass the state and national portions of the examination
- Undergo a criminal history and background investigation
- Obtain errors and omissions insurance
Broker Licensing
Educational Requirements to Obtain a Broker's License:
- A broker applicant must have 24 months of active salesperson experience and complete 72 hours of broker pre-license education within the preceding 24 months of passing the examinations
- Successfully pass the state and national portions of the examination
- Undergo a criminal history and background investigation
- Provide verification of current errors and omissions insurance
- Include current salesperson wall license with the application
- Brokers who have never renewed as a salesperson must provide documentation of attendance of the following three courses: 12 hours Buying Practices, 12 hours Listing Practices and 12 hours Developing Professionalism and Ethical Practices. (Not applicable to salespersons originally licensed after December 31, 2008.)
Salesperson Post-Licensing
Educational Requirements to renew a Salesperson License for the 1st Time:
All salespersons originally licensed prior to January 1, 2009 that are renewing for the first time must complete the following 36 hours of Commission approved education:
- 12 hours Developing Professionalism & Ethical Practices
- 12 hours Buying Practices
- 12 hours Listing Practices
Broker Continuing Education
Educational Requirements to renew a Broker's License:
The state of Iowa requires 36 hours of Continuing Education to be completed during every 3 year renewal cycle. All education must be completed by December 31st of the expiration year. The 36 hours must include 4 hours of mandated ethics and 8 hours of legal update. The remaining 24 hours may be elective courses. Only 24 of the required hours may be completed via distance education. All courses must be completed within 6 months of purchase and include a final exam with a state mandated passing rate of 90%.
Salesperson Continuing Education
The state of Iowa requires 36 hours of Continuing Education to be completed during every 3 year renewal cycle. All education must be completed by December 31st of the expiration year. The 36 hours must include 4 hours of mandated ethics and 8 hours of legal update. The remaining 24 hours may be elective courses. Only 24 of the required hours may be completed via distance education. All courses must be completed within 6 months of purchase and include a final exam with a state mandated passing rate of 90%.
FREE eBook: Launching Your Real Estate Career

Wouldn’t it be great if you could sit down with a room full of successful real estate professionals and ask them for career advice? We asked several accomplished real estate professionals what they wish they knew before they earned their license and started their career, and what they thought all aspiring real estate professionals should know. We put all of their advice into a value-packed eBook.
Download FREE eBook