Iowa Civil Rights Act of 1965
One item, but a predictable one. Iowa Code chapter 216 reaches housing through sections 216.8 and 216.8A and lists more protected classes than the federal Fair Housing Act does. The list changed in 2025, so check the date on any study material.
Protected Classes in Housing
Section 216.8(1)"a" makes it an unfair or discriminatory practice for any person, owner, or person acting for an owner - expressly including licensed brokers and salespersons, attorneys, auctioneers and agents under a power of attorney - to refuse to sell, rent, lease, assign, sublease, refuse to negotiate, or otherwise make unavailable any real property or housing accommodation "because of the race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, disability, or familial status of such person." The same list governs discriminatory terms and conditions and discriminatory advertising. Creed and sexual orientation are Iowa's additions to the federal classes. 2025 Iowa Acts ch. 1 amended sections 216.8, 216.8A, 216.12 and 216.12A and removed gender identity from the Act, so older prep material recites a different list. Section 216.8(1)"d" separately protects a lessee or purchaser against discrimination because of the characteristics, including age, of guests and visitors lawfully present on the premises.
Additional Prohibited Practices
Section 216.8A adds the practices a licensee is most likely to be asked about: no blockbusting - inducing or attempting to induce a sale or rental by representations about the entry of persons of a protected class into a neighborhood; no steering by falsely representing that a dwelling is unavailable for inspection, sale or rental when it is available; no discrimination in residential real estate related transactions, which the section defines to include making or purchasing loans and selling, brokering or appraising residential real estate; and no denial of access to or membership in a multiple listing service or brokers' organization. Disability discrimination includes refusing to permit reasonable modifications at the disabled person's expense, refusing reasonable accommodations in rules and policies, and failing to meet the accessible design and construction requirements for covered multifamily dwellings first occupied after 1 January 1992. Section 216.8B governs assistance and service animals in housing.
Exceptions - and the Advertising Trap
Section 216.12(1) exempts a bona fide religious institution's religion or sexual orientation qualifications tied to a bona fide religious purpose; the rental or leasing of a dwelling in a building of not more than two units where the owner lives in one; the rental of fewer than four rooms in a dwelling occupied by the owner; housing for older persons and state or federal elderly programs, for familial status purposes; a building of not more than four units where the owner lives in one and qualifies for the homestead tax credit under section 425.1; and sex discrimination where residents would have to share a living area. Section 216.12(2) then removes most of the benefit: the exemptions for the two-unit, room-rental and four-unit owner-occupied dwellings "do not apply to advertising related to those dwellings." An owner who may lawfully choose a tenant therefore still may not publish a discriminatory advertisement - and a licensee who places that advertisement has no exemption at all.
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State-specific details
State exam facts
- State regulator
- Iowa Real Estate Commission (DIAL)
- Exam vendor
- PSI
- Scored questions
- 115
- Time limit
- 180 minutes
Who regulates real estate brokers in Iowa?
The Iowa Real Estate Commission, now within the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL), licenses brokers and salespersons. The Commission contracts with PSI to deliver the exams.
What experience do I need before the Iowa broker exam?
Iowa Code § 543B.15(7) requires 24 months as a licensed salesperson actively engaged in real estate (or substantially equal experience) plus 60 contact hours of Commission-approved broker education completed within the 24 months before the broker exam — on top of the salesperson pre-license course.
How is the Iowa broker exam structured?
PSI bulletin 120 sets the broker exam at 115 scored questions in 180 minutes: a 75-question national portion scored to 80 points (pass 60 points, 120 minutes) and a 40-question Iowa portion worth 40 points (pass 30, 60 minutes). Both portions must be passed. The national portion is scored by points because some national broker items are worth two points.
Sources: https://dial.iowa.gov/licenses/other-professional-licensure/real-estate-licensees, https://test-takers.psiexams.com/api/content/bulletin/120
In the Iowa Real Estate Broker guide: A 60-question national practice exam, with a key that explains all four options and not just the right one. Practice here stays free.