Insurance Agent in Iowa

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for IA. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$63,150

trending_up +4.6% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Iowa.

engineering

6,160

Jobs (IA)

monitoring Stable

+3.7%

10-yr job growth

payments

$94

Licensing fees

schedule

1-4 weeks (application must be submitted within 90 days of passing exam)

Time to complete

route How to become an insurance agent in Iowa

To become a licensed Insurance Agent in Iowa, individuals must be at least 18 years old and pass the Iowa Insurance Producer Licensing Exam. While no pre-licensing education is formally required, it is highly recommended. After passing the exam, applicants must submit an application through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) within 90 days, pay the application fee, and complete a fingerprinting and criminal history background check. Iowa offers reciprocity with all other states, provided the applicant's home state also offers reciprocity.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $36,310

25th percentile $47,770

50th (median) $63,150

75th percentile $94,310

90th (experienced) $127,500

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Iowa. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Iowa requirements

Licensing body	Iowa Insurance Division
State license	Required
Education	No pre-licensing education required.
Exam	Iowa Insurance Producer Licensing Exam ($44)
Application fee	$50
Renewal	Every 3.0 years
Continuing education	36.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age is 18. Requires fingerprinting and a criminal history background check. CE requirements include 3 hours of ethics. Specific training is required for selling annuities (one-time 4-hour course), indexed products (one-time 4-hour course), and long-term care insurance (one-time 8-hour initial course, then 4 hours every 3 years). Flood insurance requires a one-time 3-hour NFIP training. Exam results are valid for 90 days.

Source: Iowa Insurance Division

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+3.7%

Average

Annual openings

47,000

Nationwide per year

Total employment

568,800

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

error High exposure 1.34/1.00

Many tasks in this career are susceptible to AI automation. Long-term career planning should account for potential disruption.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

check_circleIowa license required — clearer credential signal to employers
warningElevated AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if an insurance agent career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

What's required to work as an insurance agent in Iowa? expand_more

In Iowa, becoming an insurance agent requires you to complete the required education (No pre-licensing education required.), pass the Iowa Insurance Producer Licensing Exam, and submit your application ($50 fee).

Do I need a license to work as an insurance agent in Iowa? expand_more

A state license is required in Iowa. Iowa Insurance Division handles insurance agent licensing — the Iowa Insurance Producer Licensing Exam is part of the process.

How much do insurance agents make in Iowa? expand_more

The median insurance agent salary in Iowa is $63,150 per year. — within a few percent of the $60,370 national figure. New insurance agents start around $36,310; seasoned professionals can reach $127,500.

What's the total cost to get insurance agent certified in Iowa? expand_more

The full cost to enter the field runs about varies, factoring in exam fee ($44) and application fee ($50) and required training.

What's the timeline to become an insurance agent in Iowa? expand_more

Expect to spend 1-4 weeks (application must be submitted within 90 days of passing exam) from start to finish in Iowa — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.

Does Iowa require continuing education for insurance agents? expand_more

To keep your license active, Iowa mandates 36.0 CE hours every 3.0 years.