Free Iowa Real Estate Salesperson Practice Exam 2025
Our free Iowa Real Estate Salesperson practice test provides you with 120 exam questions, eligibility rules, exam topic outlines, 2025 law updates and exam prep resources. Take the Iowa Real Estate Salesperson Practice Exam now to learn exam structure.
Who is eligible to take the Iowa Real Estate Salesperson license exam?
To be eligible for the Iowa Real Estate Salesperson exam, candidates must:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Complete 60 hours of pre-license education.
- Successfully finish three required courses:
- 12 hours in Buying Practices
- 12 hours in Listing Practices
- 12 hours in Developing Professionalism and Ethical Practices
- Pass a background check.
- Obtain errors and omissions insurance coverage.
- Submit the application received after passing the exam; application must be sponsored by a licensed broker.

What’s on the Iowa Real Estate Salesperson exam?
The Iowa exam includes 120 multiple-choice questions: 80 national, 40 state-specific. Some additional unscored questions may be included. National topics include property, contracts, agency, disclosures, and math. The Iowa section covers licensing, education, trust accounts, contracts, agency, disclosure, and state-specific law.
Iowa Real Estate exam topics
The table below are major licensing topics you’ll need to study:
National Section (80 questions)
Topic | Subtopics | # Questions |
Property Ownership | Real/personal property, encumbrances, forms | 10% |
Land Use Controls | Gov/private controls, zoning, CC&Rs | 5% |
Valuation | Appraisals, CMA, estimating value | 8% |
Financing | Loan types, underwriting, federal regulations | 10% |
Contracts | Law, validity, types, contingencies, leases | 19% |
Agency | Relationships, disclosures, fiduciary duties | 13% |
Property Disclosures | Conditions, environmental, material facts | 7% |
Property Management | Duties, ADA, fair housing, rental analysis | 3% |
Transfer of Title | Deeds, insurance, closing, special processes | 6% |
Practice of Real Estate | Fair housing, advertising, antitrust, due diligence | 12% |
Real Estate Math | Calculations, valuation, PITI, proration | 7% |
State Section (40 questions)
Topic | # Questions (approx.) |
Licensing Requirements | 2 |
License Maintenance | 3 |
Disciplinary Actions | 4 |
Real Estate Education | 3 |
Trust Accounts | 3 |
Contracts | 7 |
Agency | 6 |
Disclosure Requirements | 5 |
Civil Rights Act | 1 |
Unlicensed Assistants | 2 |
Broker Responsibilities | 2 |
Property Management | 2 |
What is the exam passing score?
A passing score is at least 56 correct on the national section and 28 on the state section. Your score and a pass/fail status will be displayed immediately after submitting the test.
What 2025 Iowa Real Estate Laws should you know for the Salesperson exam?
State-specific legal updates, administrative rules, and disclosure requirements that have either changed or become newly enforced in 2025. The exam is structured to reflect the latest legislative and administrative changes, so understanding these laws not only helps with passing the exam but also prepares you for compliant practice in the field.
The table below outlines key laws you must know for the exam:
Law / Rule | Brief Description | 2025 Status | Exam Relevance |
Brokerage Agreements (193E Ch. 18) | Requires written brokerage agreements with buyers/sellers | Enforced civil penalties for not having signed agreements before showings; clarified requirements | Agency Law, Contracts, Brokerage Agreements |
Unauthorized Practice (193E Ch. 21) | Defines what activities require a real estate license | Expanded penalties and clarified unauthorized practice definitions | License Law, Unlicensed Activities |
Wholesaling Regulation (Ch. 22/HF 2394) | Requires wholesalers to be licensed or represented; prohibits unlicensed wholesaling | New chapter and legislative law, mandatory disclosures and penalties introduced | Agency Law, Consumer Protection, License Law |
Lead Service Line Disclosure (HF 876) | Requires sellers to disclose presence of lead service lines in properties | Effective Jan 1, 2026, but now included in pre-exam material for awareness | Property Condition Disclosure, Environmental Issues |
Broker Compensation Disclosure (SF 2291) | Brokers must clearly disclose compensation terms in all agreements | Required clear compensation statements in agreements; more explicit than prior years | Contracts, Agency, Compensation/Commissions |
Trust & Brokerage Accounts | Rules for handling client funds, maintaining separate accounts | No major changes for 2025, but reinforced in exam content | Trust Accounts, License Law |
Iowa Civil Rights Act (Housing Discrimination) | Prohibits discrimination in real estate transactions based on protected classes | Adjusted for legislative updates but core requirements remain; emphasis may shift with 2025/2026 changes | Fair Housing, License Law, Disclosures |
Property Disclosure Requirements | Mandates sellers/agents disclose known material defects | Includes upcoming lead line disclosure, clearer requirements enforced | Property Condition Disclosure, Agency Law |
How to prepare for the exam?
Improving your pass rate depends on understanding exam details, using trusted resources, and following a targeted study plan.
Understanding Iowa Salesperson exam details
Iowa Real Estate exam structure and requirements is essential for effective preparation. Here is information you need to know:
- Time allotted: 3 hours (2 hours for national section, 1 hour for state section)
- Exam fee: $95
- Exam format: on a computer
- Licensing authority: PSI
- Where to take the exam: Council Bluffs, West Des Moines, Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Area, Waterloo
Learning from preparation resources
- Iowa Real Estate Exam Prep: The Complete Guide – targeted at Iowa law, practice, and math.
- PSI National Real Estate License Exam Prep – core national concepts and questions.
- Iowa Real Estate Salesperson & Broker ExamFOCUS Study Notes & Review Questions – Iowa statutory and rule-based review.
Free practice test platforms
- Realtylicenseprep practice tests: offer national and 50-state exam simulations that mirror real test conditions and question types.
Other resources
- Video tutorials: explain complex topics step-by-step.
- Flashcards: effective for memorizing key terms and legal definitions.
- Joining a study group: provides discussion-based learning.
Follow study strategy
A structured study plan improves content retention and builds confidence under real exam timing. You can begin with core topics, then refine your approach based on past performance. The table below is a sample of 8‑week study plan:
Week | Focus | Activities |
1 – 2 | Ownership & agency | Read outline, watch topic videos, flashcards |
3 – 4 | Valuation, financing, contracts | Practice questions + review wrong answers |
5 | Disclosures & ethics | Deep dive into cases & laws |
6 | Practice exams | Timed mock tests |
7 | Review weak areas | Re-study low-scoring sections |
8 | Final exam simulation | Full test practice under timed conditions |
Weak area analysis
- Review your score breakdown weekly.
- Focus additional study on areas below 70%.
- Review incorrect answers to understand mistakes deeply.
Mastering Real Estate math
There will be a few math questions in the national section of the Iowa Real Estate Salesperson exam. Since math questions can affect your result, focused practice is essential after reviewing the main topics. To prepare:
- Review formulas for commission, loan-to-value ratio, and property tax calculations.
- Solve sample problems with our practice tests.
- Use flashcards or guided quizzes to reinforce conversions and amortization steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a sponsoring broker before I take the Iowa exam?
No, you don’t need to, but you must have one to activate your license after passing.
What’s the test day experience like in Iowa?
Arrive early, bring ID, expect a computer-based test with strict proctoring.
How should I pace my exam approach?
Use a two-pass method: quickly answer confident questions, flag the rest, then review flagged items. Take your time to read carefully, eliminate wrong choices, and ensure math accuracy.
How do I overcome test anxiety and second-guessing?
Label questions based on confidence (A – sure, B – unsure, C – math), complete the A group first, skip B and C, then return for review. Look for clues in later questions, you may find hidden answers.