License Renewal Requirements
Salesperson & Broker Licensees
To renew your license, visit: https://ia-plb.my.site.com/IPLB_login
Renewing Your Iowa Real Estate License
- Renewal periods are every three years and all licenses expire on December 31st.
- 36 hours of continuing education are required with the following criteria: Law Update (8 hours), Ethics (4 hours) and Electives (24 hours)
- Of these 36 hours, 12 hours must be live instruction.
- “Live instruction” means an educational program delivered in a traditional classroom setting or by electronic means whereby the instructor and student have real-time visual and audio contact to carry out their essential tasks. (Zoom Conference)
- “Distance learning” means a planned teaching/learning experience with a geographic separation of student and instructor that utilizes a wide spectrum of technology-based systems, including computer-based instruction, to reach learners at a distance. Home-study courses that include written materials, exercises and tests mailed to the provider for review are included in this definition. (Online or Self-Paced Courses)
- Buying Practices and Listing Practices can be used as renewal electives, Developing Professionalism and Ethics can be used as 4 hours of mandatory Ethics and 8 hours of renewal electives.
- During each three year renewal period a course may be taken for credit only once. A course may be repeated for credit only if the course numbers and instructors are different.
When renewing your license, you will attest to the following:
- Completed at least 36 hours of CE during your 3-year cycle
- Completed the mandatory 8-hour Law Update and 4-hour Ethics courses
- Completed at least 12 hours of LIVE instruction (classroom or Zoom)
- Pay your renewal fee
Carryforward Policy (July 1, 2025)
193E Chapter 3 & 4. You may carry forward up to 18 hours of elective CE to the next cycle. Mandatory courses (Law Update & Ethics) do not carry forward.
Example: If you completed 40 CE hours before renewing (including 12 mandatory CE) on 12/31/25, you may carry forward 4 elective hours into the next cycle.
TIP: Keep all completion certificates for your records. You will not upload them at the time of renewal, but you must retain them in case of an audit. Suggestion: Create a dotloop file for each renewal period to store certificates.
Important: Do not renew your license until you have completed all CE hours. Renewing before you’ve met your requirements can result in a fine from the Iowa Real Estate Commission. If you don’t finish all 36 hours by December 31st, renew your license as inactive until you comply.
Original license fee and renewal fees are as follows:
| License Type | Associated Costs |
|---|---|
| Salesperson | $125.00 |
| Broker | $170.00 |
| Firm | $170.00 |
| Branch Office | $50.00 |
| Trade Name | $50.00 |
| Additional Broker Officer License | $50.00 |