Idaho Real Estate License Requirements & Costs in 2023
In this article, we will give you a step-by-step guide that you can follow to have a clear idea of the Idaho real estate licenses requirements and the costs involved.
If you’re considering being a real estate agent in Idaho, this post is for you! Getting an Idaho real estate license is not a difficult endeavor, and it becomes very easy when you have a clear outline of what steps to observe and follow.
One major requirement that you will need to possess in the state of Idaho is a 90-hour prelicensing education that is Real Estate Commission (IREC)-approved prelicensing education.
In addition, to qualify for a real estate license in Idaho, you will be required to have a comprehensive background check and errors and omission (E&O) insurance.
Last but not least, you will need to pass a real estate exam, after which you make a ‘solid’ application to acquire your Idaho real estate license.
You can check out the table of contents below or keep reading as a step-by-step guide to the Idaho real estate license requirements. Let’s get started.
Who Is The Idaho Real Estate Commission (IREC)?
Before we get started with the complete process of getting your real estate license in Idaho, it’s important to learn about the Idaho Real Estate Commission.
The Idaho Real Estate Commission (IREC) is an administrative agency of the state of Idaho. It was created in 1969 to protect the public’s interest in real estate transactions and to regulate the real estate industry in Idaho.
The IREC is responsible for licensing and disciplining real estate brokers, salespersons, and appraisers. The Commission also investigates complaints against licensees and enforces the Idaho Real Estate License Law and Rules.
The Idaho Real Estate Commission consists of seven commissioners who are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Idaho Senate. The commissioners serve staggered four-year terms. The Commission meets monthly to discuss licensure applications, rule changes, disciplinary actions, and other business items.
If you have a complaint against a real estate licensee in Idaho, you can file a complaint with the IREC. Complaints must be in writing and must be signed by the person making the complaint. The IREC will investigate complaints and take disciplinary action if warranted.
Visit the Idaho Real Estate Commission website for more information.
What Are the Idaho Real Estate License Prerequisites?
The state of Idaho has some similar legal real estate prerequisites requirements to many other states. As an aspiring real estate agent, you have to meet these similar legal requirements if you qualify to get your license to be an Idaho real estate agent or real estate broker.
- You must be a minimum age of 18.
- Have a high school diploma or GED.
- You must be a United States citizen or lawful resident.
It is important to remember that certain situations can make you fail to qualify in your plan to be an Idaho real estate agent or broker. One of these is when you have a series of felonies and misdemeanors outlined in your criminal record.
Another situation detrimental to your chances of getting an Idaho real estate license is when you have previously had your professional license revoked.
However, there’s a remedy to this because you have the opportunity to apply for an exemption review from the Idaho Real Estate Commission after five years.
When making your application here, you can use the Idaho Real Estate Commission’s Special Consideration Policy to effectively guide you in proceeding with your application.
In your quest to ensure you meet all the legal requirements regarding your Idaho real estate license application, you may wish to work in other states besides Idaho.
You will need to establish all the existing real estate license reciprocity and portability laws in those states. The state of Idaho has no existing reciprocity agreements with any other states.
However, Idaho usually waives the national section of the real estate licensing exam when you complete the waiver form and the prelicensing education if you have already become licensed in another state.
There is no escaping the fingerprint background check, and it is mandatory to complete these.
Idaho is considered a ‘physical state’ when portability matters. This implies that Idaho can allow agents and brokers to do their business there but restricts them from entering the state to do real estate business.
Any real estate agent or broker coming from another state can only do their business remotely in such a situation. They are not allowed to enter Idaho for any property showings or any form of real estate closings.
Idaho Real Estate License Requirements
Assuming you have met the Idaho real estate license prerequisite requirements above, here are the 6 required steps you’ll need to take to get licensed in Idaho.
1. Complete the Required Idaho Real Estate Pre-Licensing Courses
The first step is to complete the 90-hours of Idaho real estate pre-licensing course through an Idaho Real Estate Commission accredited real estate school.
Idaho offers you a lot of convenience regarding the real estate prelicensing classes.
There are both Idaho in-person and online classes for people who prefer physical lessons and those who prefer to be taught online. Many real estate schools in Idaho offer learners both types of classes. The costs for the classes usually range between $600 to $649. Based on our research, we suggest one of the Idaho real estate school options we listed above.
The real estate pre-licensing courses in Idaho are usually subdivided into two modules:
- The first module revolves around the study of fundamental real estate concepts.
- The second module usually revolves around studying the body of knowledge and generally-applied skills integral in the listing, selling, buying, and closing of the property.
The modules of the Idaho prelicensing courses usually cover the following topics:
- Real property characteristics and the legal descriptions
- Types of Idaho ownership and transfer
- Property value and appraisals
- Idaho Real estate contracts
- Property disclosures and environmental issues
- Financing
- Real estate math calculations
- Roles of the Idaho Real Estate Commission
- Idaho Real Estate Licensing requirements
- License law
- Agency laws
- Calculations and closing costs
- Idaho principles and practices
When you have reached this point of your application process and are either an actively licensed appraiser, accountant, or attorney in Idaho, you have the chance to waive some prelicensing course requirements. You will be required to submit a written request to be issued with this waiver. In addition, you will have to accompany this written request for a waiver with documentation of your license and submit these to the Education and Licensing Director before submitting your whole application.
In Idaho, there are many accredited online real estate schools you can select from.
For Idaho Real Estate Post-Licensing and CE, we recommend The CE Shop Idaho courses.
2. Take the Idaho Real Estate Exam
After successfully completing your prelicensing education, the next step is to tackle the Idaho real estate license exam.
The exam is usually divided into national and Idaho state sections.
You will be required to pass both sections of the Idaho Real estate exam within one year of completing your prelicensing requirements.
If you happen to fail one section of the exam, you’ll only be required to retake that section you have failed. Fortunately, you can retake the exam as many times as you wish. However, you will have to wait at least 24 hours before rescheduling to retake the failed section again.
The State of Idaho Real Estate Exam Details Include:
- Test Format: Multiple choice
- Test Length: 120 questions
- Format of questions: 80 nationally-focused questions and 50 state-specific questions
- Exam duration: 240 minutes
What Items to Bring to the Idaho Real Estate Exam
There are valid forms of identification with signatures that you will need to carry.
It is mandatory to have an ID that must be government-issued and has a photo ID. These may be:
- Driver’s license
- US learner’s permit that has a photo
- National/State/Country Identification Card
- Passport/Passport cards
- Military ID
- Alien Registration Card that can either be a Green Card or Permanent Resident Visa)
The second form of identification must have your signature:
- Social Security card
- A Credit or Debit/(ATM) card
- A choice ID on the Primary ID list
Idaho Real Estate Exam Prep
You need to have at least a 70% mark to pass the Idaho Real Estate Salesperson Exam. This means that you have to get at least 56/80 on the national section of the exam and 28/40 on the State section of the exam.
Before taking the state exam, consider taking an Idaho real estate exam prep course online.
PrepAgent is a comprehensive online course that helps you prepare for your Idaho real estate license exam. The Idaho real estate exam prep course includes over 1,000 practice questions, video lessons, and customizable study plans.
PrepAgent also offers a money-back guarantee if you don’t pass your Idaho real estate exam. So if you’re looking to get your Idaho real estate license, PrepAgent is the exam prep course for you. Visit PrepAgent.
Another lower-cost option is the Idaho Real Estate Exam Scholar course. You can take a look at our PrepAgent reviews and Exam Scholar reviews to learn more about these two popular Idaho exam prep course options.
How to Schedule Your Idaho Real Estate Exam
Scheduling your exams is easy, and you can schedule the exam directly via the Idaho Pearson VUE website. The Pearson VUE is the company that normally handles real estate testing for Idaho.
As soon as you register, preparation becomes easy. You will be issued a copy of the Idaho Candidate Handbook to successfully deal with the exam. You have the option to pay the $80 exam fee directly through the Pearson VUE website either through a credit card, voucher, etc.
How Difficult is the Idaho Real Estate Exam?
Idaho’s real estate exam is considerably difficult. The passing score for the Idaho Real Estate Salesperson Exam is 70%.
Paying close attention to your Idaho real estate pre-license course will put you in a good position to pass the exam on your first attempt! We also recommend an exam prep course.
3. Get Your Fingerprints and Idaho Background Check
You have to submit your fingerprints to the Idaho Real Estate Commission to help in background checks, and this is a mandatory practice that you must do before submitting your application.
As a real estate agent, you should schedule your fingerprinting as soon as you have completed your prelicensing education.
The IREC advises that all applicants have their fingerprints taken directly at the Idaho Pearson VUE testing center.
After your fingerprints have been taken, the results gathered are forwarded to the IREC.
This is usually done within 7 to 21 days and is usually valid for six months. Checking the status of your fingerprints is easy, and you can do this by simply registering with the IREC website.
Some of the areas in Idaho where there are test centers include Boise, Twin Falls, and Pocatello. These spots have LiveScan equipment that comes in handy during digital fingerprinting.
It is important to remember that by having your fingerprints taken at one of these areas, you also get the opportunity to do your license exam.
People with past criminal offenses may not qualify to get a real estate license in Idaho. Here, you will be required to write a document explaining to the Commission this situation before you can be licensed.
4. Find an Idaho Real Estate Brokerage to Work For
To get an Idaho real estate license, it is also important to find a sponsoring brokerage you can associate your license with.
Fortunately, to get a real estate license in Idaho, there are many brokerage firms you can work with. Our list below gives you a sneak peek into the top five brokerages reported for 2021:
5. Purchase Idaho Errors and Omissions Insurance
To get an active real estate license in Idaho, you must have Errors and Omissions Insurance (E&O) insurance. The purpose of this document is to cushion real estate businesses from any errors that may occur during their daily operations.
Some brokerages issue their agents with this E&O insurance, but in a situation where you are not given it, you will have to buy it for yourself.
The IREC body collaborates with Rice Insurance Services, LLC to offer a variety of providers from where you can obtain your E&O insurance. After that, you will be required to submit the Independent E&O Coverage Certification Form.
An aspiring Idaho real estate agent wishing to activate their real estate license must first get an Errors and Omissions Insurance policy.
6. Apply For Your Idaho Real Estate License
At this point, you have essentially met all the requirements you need. You, therefore, need to make an application to get your Idaho real estate license.
You will be required to fill out and submit the Idaho Salesperson Application form, a $160 license fee, and a copy of your high school diploma or college diploma.
You also need to provide documents as proof of showing legal presence in the US. These include:
- An identification card or driver’s license issued in Idaho
- A valid US passport or visa
The application here takes approximately ten days. Your Idaho real estate license is inactive when it is first issued. However, your license becomes active after getting a brokerage to work under.
Conclusion
Getting a real estate license in Idaho isn’t all that difficult. Armed with our step-by-step instructions, you can easily kick-start your career when you are ready!
Learn about the real estate license requirements in another state:
Get started with your Idaho real estate license by selecting a great online real estate school.
About The Author: This article was researched and published by Tim Schroeder. As a husband and wife real estate team residing in Florida, Tim Schroeder brings deep expertise with over 8 years of experience as a licensed real estate agent.
Deb and Tim Schroeder have earned numerous real estate industry awards and recognitions. They have been recognized by Orlando Magazine as a “Top 100 Real Estate Professional” as well as earned Top Producer Designations with the Orlando Realtor Association for 6 years straight.