Iowa Real Estate CE Courses (2026)
To renew your Real Estate license in Iowa you need to satisfy the Iowa Real Estate Commission (administered by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing)'s continuing education (CE) requirement — about 36 hours per 3-year cycle. Below is what the board requires and a comparison of course providers that offer qualifying CE. This is an unofficial guide — confirm any course is board-approved before you buy.
What Iowa requires for Real Estate renewal
| CE hours required | 36 hours per cycle |
|---|---|
| Renewal cycle | 36 months |
| Governing body | Iowa Real Estate Commission (administered by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing) |
To renew in active status, a salesperson must complete a minimum of 36 hours of approved continuing education per three-year cycle: 8 hours Law Update, 4 hours Ethics, and 24 hours of Commission-approved electives. Up to 18 unused elective hours may carry over from the prior cycle (no carryover allowed toward the 8-hour law update or 4-hour ethics requirements). A maximum of 24 hours may be completed via distance/online learning; at least 12 hours must be live instruction per the CE page. All CE must be completed no later than December 31 of the renewal year and before submitting the renewal; there is no grace period for completing CE (a licensee who has not finished CE must renew to inactive status or let the license lapse). The rules do not specify a separate first-renewal post-licensing education requirement distinct from ongoing CE.
Full Real Estate renewal guide for Iowa (deadlines, fees & CE) →
Iowa Real Estate CE course providers
- The CE Shop
State-approved real estate CE packages built around each state's required topics.
- Kaplan Real Estate Education
CE courses, exam prep, and required law/ethics updates across most states.
- McKissock Learning
Large real estate CE library with state-specific renewal packages.
- Colibri Real Estate
Online CE and post-licensing education accepted in many states.
Iowa Real Estate CE courses: frequently asked questions
How many CE hours do I need to renew my Real Estate license in Iowa?
Iowa requires about 36 continuing-education hours per renewal cycle. To renew in active status, a salesperson must complete a minimum of 36 hours of approved continuing education per three-year cycle: 8 hours Law Update, 4 hours Ethics, and 24 hours of Commission-approved electives. Up to 18 unused elective hours may carry over from the prior cycle (no carryover allowed toward the 8-hour law update or 4-hour ethics requirements). A maximum of 24 hours may be completed via distance/online learning; at least 12 hours must be live instruction per the CE page. All CE must be completed no later than December 31 of the renewal year and before submitting the renewal; there is no grace period for completing CE (a licensee who has not finished CE must renew to inactive status or let the license lapse). The rules do not specify a separate first-renewal post-licensing education requirement distinct from ongoing CE.
Do online Real Estate CE courses count in Iowa?
Online courses generally count when the provider is approved by or recognized by the Iowa Real Estate Commission (administered by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing). Always confirm a course is accepted before you buy it.
Where do I report my Iowa Real Estate CE?
Iowa generally has you attest to CE at renewal and keep your own documentation in case of an audit. Confirm the current process with the Iowa Real Estate Commission (administered by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing).
Requirement last verified 2026-06-01 from the Iowa Real Estate Commission (administered by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing). Always confirm current rules with the board before relying on this.