Iowa real estate exam
Format, passing score, fees and what to study — compiled from the official candidate handbook and state sources, with a link and a confidence level for every fact. Last verified 2026-10-31.
Take the free Iowa practice quiz Open the app
Iowa exam format and requirements
| Fact | Value | Confidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regulator | Iowa Real Estate Commission (Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing - Professional Licensing Bureau) Bulletin lists Commission at 6200 Park Ave, Des Moines. plb.iowa.gov now redirects to dial.iowa.gov. | Official source | Link |
| Exam provider | PSI Services LLC Licensing Information Bulletin, copyright 2025; PSI program is ARELLO-certified. | Official source | Link |
| National-portion questions | 80 National portion: 80 items (80 points). 5-10 unscored experimental questions may be added and count against exam time. | Official source | Link |
| State-portion questions | 40 Iowa state portion: 40 items (40 points). | Official source | Link |
| Exam time (minutes) | 180 National 120 min + State 60 min = 180 min. | Official source | Link |
| Passing score | 70%: 56 of 80 national, 28 of 40 state, 84 of 120 combined (bulletin score-reporting lists combined 84 and state 28) Bulletin summary table passing scores: national 56, state 28, both 84. Score-reporting section states the minimum is 84 combined and 28 on the state portion. | Official source | Link |
| Exam fee (USD) | $95 Salesperson Examination $95. | Official source | Link |
| Pre-licensing hours | 60 Commission-approved 60-hour salesperson pre-license course completed in the 12 months before taking the exam; plus additional required education (Iowa-specific 'Practices' course) before licensure. | Official source | Link |
| Languages | English No other exam language is listed in the official handbook/bulletin; English-only is inferred from silence. | Secondary source | Link |
“Official source” = read in a state agency page or the exam provider’s candidate handbook on 2026-10-31. Anything marked “Vendor claim” or “Not verified” should be confirmed before you rely on it. Fees and formats change.
What this means for your study plan
- Time per question: about 1.5 minutes each (180 minutes ÷ 120 questions). Practice at that pace.
- Both portions count: you must reach the pass mark on each portion — a strong national score does not make up for a weak Iowa score.
- Where people lose points: math word problems, wording traps (NOT/EXCEPT), and state rules that differ from the national rule. Our formula sheet covers the math.
- Good to know: Unusual scoring: pass requires BOTH a combined score (84/120) and a state-portion minimum (28/40), so a high national score can offset a weaker national result, but the state portion has its own 28/40 floor. Apply for license by the last business day of the 6th month after the exam. Iowa-portion-only exams exist for licensed-elsewhere applicants. Test sites: West Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs.
State-portion topics published for Iowa
- Licensing requirements (2 items)
- License maintenance (3)
- Disciplinary actions - suspension, revocation, voluntary compliance (4)
- Real estate education (3)
- Trust accounts (3)
- Contracts (7)
- Agency (6)
- Property disclosure requirements (5)
- Iowa Civil Rights Act of 1965 (1)
- Unlicensed assistants (2)
- Broker responsibilities (2)
- Property management (2)
Sample Iowa practice questions
Original questions written from the law, each with an explanation and a citation. Iowa-specific questions are coming soon; these samples come from the national portion.
On Monday, seller Ward mails a letter revoking his written offer to sell a lot to buyer Ruiz. On Tuesday, before that letter arrives, Ruiz mails a signed, properly addressed acceptance, as the offer allowed. The revocation reaches Ruiz on Wednesday. Under the majority common-law rules,
- no contract exists, because the revocation took effect when Ward mailed it on Monday
- no contract exists, because Ruiz received the revocation before Ward received the acceptance
- a contract exists only if Ward actually receives the acceptance before the end of the week
- a contract exists, because the acceptance took effect before the revocation was received
Answer: D. A revocation is generally effective only when the offeree receives it, while an acceptance sent by an authorized medium is generally effective when dispatched (the mailbox rule). Ruiz's acceptance took effect on Tuesday, before the revocation reached him on Wednesday, so a contract was formed. When the offeror later receives the acceptance does not change that result.
Topic: Contracts & Leasing · Source: Restatement (Second) of Contracts § 42 (revocation by communication from offeror received by offeree); § 63 (time when acceptance takes effect)
A listing agreement is best described as
- a contract that transfers title to the property to the broker
- an employment contract in which an owner engages a broker to find a buyer
- a lien that secures the broker's commission against the property
- a contract between the buyer and the seller for the sale of the property
Answer: B. A listing agreement is a personal-service (employment) contract that creates an agency: the owner engages the broker to market the property and find a buyer. It does not convey title, and it is not the purchase contract between buyer and seller. Any lien rights for commissions arise only under specific statutes where they exist.
Topic: Agency & Brokerage Relationships · Source: Restatement (Third) of Agency § 1.01 (agency defined); § 8.13
For an adjustable-rate loan secured by the consumer's principal dwelling with a term longer than one year, when must the creditor provide the Consumer Handbook on Adjustable-Rate Mortgages?
- Within three business days after the loan is approved
- No later than three business days before the first interest rate change
- With the application form or before any nonrefundable fee, if earlier
- With the Closing Disclosure, three business days before closing
Answer: C. For variable-rate transactions secured by the principal dwelling with a term over one year, the creditor must provide ARM program disclosures and the Consumer Handbook on Adjustable Rate Mortgages, or a suitable substitute, at the time an application form is provided or before the consumer pays a nonrefundable fee, whichever is earlier. Applications taken by phone or through a broker allow delivery within three business days.
Topic: Real Estate Finance · Source: 12 C.F.R. § 1026.19(b) (certain variable-rate transactions)
Try the full 20-question Iowa quiz
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the Iowa real estate exam?
The Iowa exam format we found is 80 national questions plus 40 Iowa questions (120 in total) in 180 minutes. Confirm in the official handbook before exam day.
What is the passing score for the Iowa real estate exam?
70%: 56 of 80 national, 28 of 40 state, 84 of 120 combined (bulletin score-reporting lists combined 84 and state 28) (Official source).
How much does the Iowa real estate exam cost?
The exam fee we found is $95, paid to PSI Services LLC. Fees change, so check the current handbook.
How many pre-licensing hours does Iowa require?
60 hours for the entry-level license, according to the sources below. Pre-licensing education must come from a state-approved school; GablePrep is exam prep and is not an approved course.
Official sources for Iowa
- Regulator: Iowa Real Estate Commission (Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing - Professional Licensing Bureau)
- Exam provider: PSI Services LLC
- Official candidate handbook / content outline
Independent exam prep. Not affiliated with any state real estate commission or testing provider. Not an approved pre-licensing course. Not legal advice.