Real Estate Agent in Iowa

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

Median annual salary

$36,420

trending_down -35.3% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Iowa.

engineering

670

Jobs (IA)

monitoring Stable

+3.1%

10-yr job growth

payments

$220

Licensing fees

schedule

Varies (background check can take 8-10 weeks, application must be submitted within 6 months of passing exam and 210 days of background check completion)

Time to complete

route How to become a real estate agent in Iowa

To become a Real Estate Agent in Iowa, you must obtain a license through the Iowa Real Estate Commission, which is part of the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing. The process involves completing 96 hours of pre-licensing education, which includes a 60-hour course in Real Estate Principles and Practices and three additional 12-hour courses in Buying Practices, Listing Practices, and Developing Professionalism and Ethical Practices. After completing the education, you must pass the Iowa Real Estate Salesperson Exam, undergo a criminal history background check, secure Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance, and be sponsored by a licensed broker. Iowa has reciprocity agreements with Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, and North Dakota.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $21,770

25th percentile $24,190

50th (median) $36,420

75th percentile $60,960

90th (experienced) $77,990

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

checklist Iowa requirements

Licensing body	Iowa Real Estate Commission (under the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing)
State license	Required
Education	96 hours total: 60-hour pre-licensing course (Real Estate Principles and Practices) and three additional 12-hour courses (Buying Practices, Listing Practices, and Developing Professionalism and Ethical Practices). The 36 additional hours must be live instruction.
Exam	Iowa Real Estate Salesperson Exam (PSI) ($95)
Application fee	$125
Renewal	Every 3.0 years
Continuing education	36.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Applicants must be at least 18 years old. A criminal history background check ($51 fee) and Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance are required. Applicants must also be sponsored by a broker to apply for a license. The background check is valid for 210 days, and the exam results are valid for six months.

Source: Iowa Real Estate Commission (under the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing)

workspace_premium Iowa license tiers

Iowa offers multiple tiers of real estate agent licensing:

Tier	Hours required
Salesperson	N/A
Broker	N/A

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+3.1%

Average

Annual openings

36,600

Nationwide per year

Total employment

420,900

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

error High exposure 0.86/1.00

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 a real estate 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

How do I become a real estate agent in Iowa? expand_more

Iowa requires real estate agents to complete the required education (96 hours total: 60-hour pre-licensing course (Real Estate Principles and Practices) and three additional 12-hour courses (Buying Practices, Listing Practices, and Developing Professionalism and Ethical Practices). The 36 additional hours must be live instruction.), pass the Iowa Real Estate Salesperson Exam (PSI), and submit your application ($125 fee).

Do I need a license to work as a real estate agent in Iowa? expand_more

Iowa mandates state licensure for real estate agents. Iowa Real Estate Commission (under the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing) oversees the process, which includes passing the Iowa Real Estate Salesperson Exam (PSI).

What do real estate agents earn in Iowa? expand_more

Iowa real estate agents bring home a median salary of $36,420. This trails the $56,320 national median by 35%. Wages range from $21,770 (10th percentile) up to $77,990 (90th percentile).

What are the fees to become a real estate agent in Iowa? expand_more

The full cost to enter the field runs about varies, factoring in exam fee ($95) and application fee ($125) and required training.

What's the timeline to become a real estate agent in Iowa? expand_more

Most candidates in Iowa complete the process in Varies (background check can take 8-10 weeks, application must be submitted within 6 months of passing exam and 210 days of background check completion), from enrollment in a training program through licensure.

Does Iowa require continuing education for real estate agents? expand_more

Yes — real estate agents in Iowa must complete 36.0 CE hours every 3.0 years to stay licensed.