What the Iowa broker exam tests, how it is scored, and 80 broker-track practice questions with cited sources.
Iowa broker exam format
PSI-administered exam for the Iowa Real Estate Commission. Salesperson: 80 national (120 min, 56 of 80 points to pass) + 40 Iowa (60 min, 28 of 40), 180 minutes combined, 70% each. Broker: 75 national scored items graded on an 80-point scale (60 of 80 points to pass) + 40 Iowa (30 of 40), also 180 minutes combined, 75% each — broker national items are scenario-based and some are worth more than one point, which is why 75 questions carry 80 points.
Broker exam
115questions
180 mintime limit
75%to pass
Two separately scored sections
The Iowa broker exam runs as two separately scored portions: 75 national questions and 40 Iowa law questions.
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Iowa broker-track questions
Every Freehold question shows why the right answer is right — and cites its source.
Before applying for an Iowa broker's license, an applicant must have been a licensed active salesperson for:
24 months
6 months only
5 years
There is no minimum salesperson experience requirement
Show answer & explanation
24 months — Iowa requires broker applicants to have at least 24 months of active licensed salesperson experience immediately before applying for a broker's license.
Source: StateRequirement, Iowa Real Estate Broker License
Since January 1, 2020, an Iowa broker exam candidate must complete a required course of study consisting of at least:
10 classroom hours
300 classroom hours
No coursework is required for the broker exam
60 classroom hours
Show answer & explanation
60 classroom hours — Effective January 1, 2020, Iowa requires broker candidates to complete at least 60 classroom hours of required coursework before sitting for the broker exam.
Source: Iowa REALTORS, How to Become a Broker
Iowa brokers are generally prohibited from commingling personal funds in a trust account, EXCEPT for:
An unlimited amount, so long as it is properly recorded in the account's own ledger
Up to half of the account balance at any given time
A sum not to exceed $500, specifically identified to cover bank service charges
Iowa allows no exception of any kind whatsoever
Show answer & explanation
A sum not to exceed $500, specifically identified to cover bank service charges — Iowa permits a broker to keep up to $500 of personal funds in the trust account, specifically to cover bank service charges, without that being treated as prohibited commingling.
Absent a written agreement between buyer and seller to the contrary, interest earned on an Iowa broker's trust account is transferred quarterly to:
The broker's personal operating account
The buyer and seller equally, split as a rebate
The Iowa Real Estate Commission's discretionary fund
The Iowa Finance Authority, for deposit in the state's housing trust fund
Show answer & explanation
The Iowa Finance Authority, for deposit in the state's housing trust fund — Iowa law directs trust account interest to be transferred quarterly to the treasurer of state and then to the Iowa Finance Authority for the statewide housing trust fund, unless the parties agree otherwise in writing.
The Iowa broker exam runs as two separately scored portions: 75 national questions and 40 Iowa law questions. You need 75% to pass, within 180 minutes.
Is the Iowa broker exam harder than the salesperson exam?
It carries a higher passing score (75% versus 70%) and adds brokerage-operations material - supervision, trust accounting, and firm responsibility - on top of the salesperson outline.
How many Iowa broker practice questions does Freehold have?
80 Iowa law questions apply to the broker track, including 8 written specifically for brokers, alongside the national broker bank.
Freehold is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by PSI, Pearson VUE, or any state real estate licensing board or commission. Freehold does not guarantee passage of any licensing exam.