State & National Criminal History Background Checks.
A background check is required as part of the license process for new salesperson and broker applicants.

All applicants for an initial Iowa real estate salesperson or broker license must go through a state and national criminal history background check prior to sending in their application. This requirement also includes those getting licensed by reciprocity and Rule 5.3, salespersons converting to a broker, and those who are reinstating a license that has been expired for more than 3 years. Fingerprinting is NOT required for license renewal, changing from “inactive” to “active” status, or reinstatement of a license expired for less than three years.  Frequently asked questions.

To begin the process you will need to obtain a fingerprint card, waiver form, instructions and an information sheet from our office (563-355-6655) or by contacting the Iowa Real Estate Commission via e-mail to Sandy.Malek@iowa.gov or FAX: 515-281-7411.  Be sure to include your name and mailing address with your request for a fingerprint packet.  The Commission cannot assist persons in the actual fingerprinting process, however for $10 the Quad City Area REALTOR Association can do the finger printing. (Please call ahead to set-up an appointment 563-355-6655)  Once you have your fingerprints rolled send the fingerprint card, completed waiver form and the $52.25 fee to the Iowa Real Estate Commission. The cards are then sent to the Iowa DCI who in turn sends them to the FBI.  The average time to process the background check is 6-8 weeks. Common delays to this timeframe include the applicant not properly completing either the fingerprint card or waiver form, not including the proper fee, or the fingerprints are rejected by the FBI due to poor quality.  When the background check is completed the applicant will be notified by the Iowa Real Estate Commission’s office that the process is completed. The background check is valid for only 210 days. Applicants will need to plan ahead in the application process and keep in mind that the pre-license education certificate is only good for one year (salesperson) or two years (broker), and a passing examination score is only good until the last working day of the sixth month following the exam date.

IOWA LICENSING QUALIFICATIONS:  (PSI - Iowa Salesperson Candidate Testing Handbook)

• An applicant for real estate salesperson license must be a person whose application for licensure has not been rejected in this or any other state or jurisdiction within 12 months prior to the date of application, and whose real estate license has not been revoked in this or any other state within two years prior to date of application.
  

• An applicant for a real estate salesperson license who has had a professional license of any kind revoked in this or any other jurisdiction may be denied a license by the commission on the grounds of the revocation.
  

• An applicant for real estate salesperson license who has been convicted of forgery, embezzlement, obtaining money under false pretenses, theft, extortion, conspiracy to defraud, or another similar offense, or of any crime involving moral turpitude, in a court of competent jurisdiction in this state or in any other state, jurisdiction, territory, or district of the United States, or in any foreign jurisdiction, may be denied a license by the commission on the grounds of the conviction.
  

• Must be 18 years of age - no residency or citizenship requirement.
  
  
• Must be sponsored by broker after they pass the exam; cannot apply for an inactive license.
  
  
• Complete the 60-hr pre-license course from an approved provider.
  
  
• In addition to the 60-hr pre-licensing salesperson course, all persons applying for a salesperson license beginning January 1, 2009, must show evidence that the following three courses have been completed:
  
  a. 12-hr Buying Practices
  b. 12-hr Listing Practices
  c. 12-hr Developing Professionalism and Ethical Practices
  
  
• Successfully pass the state and national portions of the examination, passing notice good for 6 months
  
  
• Obtain errors and omissions insurance.

IOWA LICENSE APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

• An applicant who passes a qualifying examination and applies for a license must file with the Iowa Real Estate Commission a completed application with license fee, proof of required education (course completion certificate), and score report (received from the testing institute after passing the exam) no later that the last working day of the sixth calendar month following the qualifying real estate examination.
  

• You may NOT file an original application as "inactive" status.  You will need to have identified a sponsoring broker for signature of the "Broker Certification" section of your application for license, thus verifying that you are associated with or engaged by that broker to sell real estate.
  

• To get your application ask your sponsoring broker or click here
   (taking you to the Iowa Real Estate Commission)
    - Things to attach to your fully completed and signed license application:
    - License fee of $125
    - Pass notice from the testing service (PSI), this expires after 6 months of passing date
    - Completion certificate of the 60-Hour Pre-license Course
    - Completion certificates for 12-hr Listing Practices, 12-hr Buying Practices, and 12-hr Developing Professionalism & Ethical Practices courses.