Iowa Real Estate Salesperson Exam Exam Guide
At a glance
- Questions
- 120
- Time limit
- 3h
- Passing score
- 70% on each portion
- Exam fee
- $95
- Governing body
- Iowa Real Estate Commission
The Iowa real estate salesperson exam is the state licensing test overseen by the Iowa Real Estate Commission and delivered by PSI Services LLC. It's required for anyone seeking an Iowa real estate salesperson license and covers both national real estate principles and Iowa-specific law. Before sitting for the exam, candidates must complete a Commission-approved 60-hour pre-license course.
Overview
The salesperson exam draws from a shared content outline that blends national real estate concepts with Iowa-specific law across the two scored portions.
- Contracts — 19% of the exam
- Agency — 13%
- Practice of Real Estate — 12%
- Financing — 10%
- Property Ownership — 10%
- Valuation — 8%
- Property Disclosures — 7%
- Real Estate Calculations — 7%
- Transfer of Title — 6%
- Land Use Controls — 5%
- Property Management — 3%
The state-law portion also breaks out specific item counts, including Contracts (7 items), Agency (6 items), Property Disclosure Requirements (5 items), and Disciplinary Actions (4 items).
Cost and registration
The salesperson examination fee is $95, paid to PSI Services LLC when scheduling. After passing, candidates pay a $125 license fee to the Iowa Real Estate Commission. Any additional application, course, or renewal fees should be confirmed against the Commission's official fee schedule.
Exam format
The exam has 120 total questions split across two timed portions: an 80-question national portion (120 minutes, 56 points needed to pass) and a 40-question state portion (60 minutes, 28 points needed to pass). Combined, that's 180 minutes and a total passing score of 84 out of 120 points. A small number of unscored experimental questions (5 to 10) may also appear.
Frequently asked questions
Who administers the Iowa real estate salesperson exam?
The Iowa Real Estate Commission contracts with PSI Services LLC to develop and deliver the salesperson examination.
How much does the Iowa salesperson exam cost?
The salesperson examination fee is $95, and after passing you'll also pay a $125 license fee to the Iowa Real Estate Commission.
What are the eligibility requirements to sit for the exam?
Candidates must be at least 18 years old and complete the Commission-approved 60-hour pre-license course within the 12 months before testing.
What happens if I don't pass on my first attempt?
You cannot retest the same day, but you can call to reapply and retest as soon as an appointment is available, sometimes within a day or two.
How long do I have to take the exam after registering, and to apply for my license after passing?
You must take the exam within 90 days of registering or forfeit the fee, and you must file your license application no later than the last business day of the sixth month after your test date.
Is additional education required after I pass and get licensed?
Yes, newly licensed salespersons must complete 36 hours of post-license education covering professionalism and ethics, buying practices, and listing practices.
Sources
- 1.PSI Services LLC — Licensing Information Bulletin, Iowa Real Estate Commission (Effective 2/8/2024), hosted by Iowa DIAL — Iowa Real Estate Commission (accessed Aug 10, 2026)
- 2.Real Estate Regulatory Agencies Directory — ARELLO
- 3.Real Estate Licensing Practice Tests — Pearson VUE
- 4.PSI Real Estate Exam Scheduling — PSI
- 5.Fair Housing Act Overview — HUD
Official sources
Every exam fact on this page traces to a primary document published by the body that administers the exam.
- PSI Services LLC — Licensing Information Bulletin, Iowa Real Estate Commission (Effective 2/8/2024), hosted by Iowa DIALIowa Real Estate Commissiondial.iowa.gov
- Real Estate Licensing by Exam & Education Information — Iowa DIAL / Iowa Real Estate CommissionIowa Real Estate Commissiondial.iowa.gov
- Real Estate Salesperson and Brokers License by Exam — Iowa DIAL (successor domain to plb.iowa.gov)Iowa Real Estate Commissiondial.iowa.gov
- Real Estate FAQs — Iowa DIAL / Iowa Real Estate CommissionIowa Real Estate Commissiondial.iowa.gov
Last verified against the official exam content outline: