Start with the official requirements.
Your regulator is Iowa Real Estate Commission. Verify eligibility, approved schools, application timing, background checks, fees and any sponsoring-broker requirements directly before committing to a course.
Official regulator ↗- Regulator
- Iowa Real Estate Commission
- Prelicense education
- 60 hours
- Exam provider
- PSI
- Questions
- 120 questions (80 national + 40 state)
- Time
- 180 minutes
- Passing rule
- 56/80 national + 28/40 state
The steps, in order.
01
Confirm eligibility
Check age, education, background review and other requirements with the regulator.
02
Complete approved education
Confirm the current 60 hours education requirement and approved providers. LicenseIQ does not replace required prelicensing education.
03
Apply and schedule
Follow the regulator’s application and testing authorization sequence; submit required documents and fees. Exact sequencing varies.
04
Prepare and take the exam
Use the PSI candidate handbook for check-in, accommodations, allowed materials and current scoring.
05
Complete license issuance
After passing, complete remaining regulator requirements. Do not practice until the license is issued and active.
06
Maintain your license
Verify post-license education, renewal deadlines and continuing education with the regulator.
Post-license education
36 hrs (three 12-hr courses) within first year
Continuing education
36 hrs every 3 yrs
What’s on the state portion?
Topics from your LicenseIQ state course; the official exam outline controls.
- Iowa Licensing, Education, and License Maintenance3 lessons
- Iowa Agency: Disclosure, Statutory Duties, and Multiple Representation3 lessons
- Brokerage Agreements, Contracts, Trust Accounts, and Closings4 lessons
- Iowa Property Disclosures and Transfer Requirements4 lessons
- Broker Responsibilities, Unlicensed Assistants, and Advertising3 lessons
- Discipline, Property Management, Landlord-Tenant, and Iowa Civil Rights4 lessons
Try three practice questions.
Question 1
A broker argues that because her agents are independent contractors, she has no duty to supervise them. Under Iowa law:
- A. Independent contractor status does not relieve the broker of the duty to supervise
- B. She is correct
- C. She must supervise only first-year agents
- D. She must supervise only if agents are paid hourly
Question 2
An Iowa licensee's ad shows only the property photo and a phone number. What is wrong?
- A. Nothing, if the number belongs to the licensee
- B. The ad must include the commission rate
- C. Ads may not show only a phone number, P.O. box, or address; the licensed business name must appear
- D. The ad must include the license number
Question 3
A family buys a home from a seller who received the homestead credit. What must the buyers do to receive it?
- A. Nothing; the credit transfers with the deed
- B. Ask the seller to assign the credit at closing
- C. File their own homestead claim with the assessor
- D. Apply to the Iowa Real Estate Commission
Catalog facts may change. Verify with primary sources. Explore Iowa exam prep.