Education Services
Background Check & Fingerprinting
Background Check & Fingerprinting
To receive a Background Check & Fingerprint Packet contact the Iowa Real Estate Commission at (515) 281-7393 or e-mail sandy.malek@iowa.gov. Once you have received the packet, follow the instructions carefully.
As part of your background check, the Iowa Real Estate Commission will submit your fingerprints to the FBI. You are required to obtain your fingerprints on a supplied fingerprint card. Fingerprints must legible and in black. Contact your local sheriff’s office or police department to set up an appointment to have your fingerprints taken.
Send the completed signed waiver, fingerprint card and check or money order for $52.25 to the Iowa Real Estate Commission at 1920 SE Hulsizer, Ankeny, Iowa 50021. Make checks payable to the Iowa Real Estate Commission.
You cannot apply for a license until your background check is complete. You can check for your name on the Iowa Real Estate Commission website's list of completed background checks (www.iowa.gov/irec). The background check can take 8 to 10 weeks to be completed and once completed it is valid for only 210 days from the FBI completion date. It is recommended that you consider this limitation when scheduling your pre-license course, license exam and application for your license.
Upcoming Events
Real Estate Salesperson Pre-License Series begins January 15 - check the Course Catalog for more information!
Online Appraisal courses available from VanEd - click here to learn more.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM THE COMMISSION: Due to a change in the Rules, there are no accommodations for tardiness or leaving early from classes. Anyone arriving late (no matter how little) "shall not" receive a certificate. Please click here to read more.
Beginning January 1, 2009, educational requirements to receive a license will be raised. In addition to the 60-hour pre-license course, students will be required to take the 36 hours of education that were originally required in the first 3 years. The new law will require that the three 12 hour courses (Listing Practices, Buying Practices and Developing Professional Conduct & Ethical Practices) be taken before a student can apply for a license. Check out "Getting a License" in the Education section of this website or contact Bonnie at 338-6460 if you have questions.