Free Iowa Portion of the Salesperson Examination Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Iowa Portion of the Salesperson Examination practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1An Iowa salesperson applicant wants the original license issued in inactive status. What does the commission rule permit?

   1. A. Issue it inactive if the applicant requests that status
   2. B. Issue it inactive only when no broker assignment is available
   3. C. Do not issue an original salesperson license in inactive status
   4. D. Issue it inactive for the first 90 days

   Answer: C

   Explanation: “An original application for a salesperson license cannot be issued to inactive status.” 481 IAC 2004.1(1) bars issuance of an original salesperson license in inactive status, so the applicant cannot elect that status for the first license.

   Reference: Iowa Administrative Code — Chapter 481.2004 — 481 IAC 2004.1(1)

2. 2For what term is an Iowa salesperson license issued?

   1. A. Two years, excluding the year issued
   2. B. Three years, counting the remaining part of the year issued as a full year
   3. C. Three years, beginning on the next January 1
   4. D. Four years, counting the year issued as a full year

   Answer: B

   Explanation: “A salesperson license is issued for a three-year term” An Iowa salesperson license has a three-year term, with the remaining portion of the issuance year counted as a full year.

   Reference: Iowa Administrative Code — Chapter 481.2004 — 481 IAC 2004.3(2)

3. 3An Iowa salesperson continues brokerage activity while the license is inactive. How do commission rules classify that conduct?

   1. A. It is a ground for discipline
   2. B. It is permitted if the affiliated broker consents
   3. C. It is permitted for pending transactions only
   4. D. It is solely a renewal-fee issue

   Answer: A

   Explanation: “Continuing to practice real estate with an expired or inactive license” Practicing with an expired or inactive license is expressly listed as a ground for commission discipline.

   Reference: Iowa Administrative Code — Chapter 481.2018 — 481 IAC 2018.2(5)

4. 4What identifying word must appear in the name of an Iowa real estate broker's trust account?

   1. A. Escrow
   2. B. Fiduciary
   3. C. Trust
   4. D. Client

   Answer: C

   Explanation: “with the word “trust” in the name of the account” The account must be identified with the word trust in its name and maintained at a federally insured depository institution.

   Reference: Iowa Administrative Code — Chapter 481.2013 — 481 IAC 2013.1

5. 5What form must an Iowa real estate brokerage agreement take?

   1. A. It may be oral if compensation is under $1,000
   2. B. It must be in writing
   3. C. It may be oral until the first offer
   4. D. It must be notarized

   Answer: B

   Explanation: “All brokerage agreements will be in writing” Iowa requires all brokerage agreements to be written.

   Reference: Iowa Administrative Code — Chapter 481.2011 — 481 IAC 2011.1

6. 6When must an Iowa licensee make the initial verbal agency disclosure?

   1. A. Before providing specific assistance
   2. B. After the consumer signs an offer
   3. C. At closing
   4. D. Within three days after first contact

   Answer: A

   Explanation: “prior to the licensee’s providing specific assistance to the client or nonrepresented customer.” The verbal disclosure identifying representation must precede the licensee's provision of specific assistance.

   Reference: Iowa Administrative Code — Chapter 481.2012 — 481 IAC 2012.2(2)

7. 7Iowa chapter 558A generally applies to a transfer of property containing how many dwelling units?

   1. A. One through four
   2. B. One through six
   3. C. Two through eight
   4. D. Any number

   Answer: A

   Explanation: “at least one but not more than four dwelling units.” The statutory transfer definition covers property with at least one and not more than four dwelling units, subject to listed exclusions.

   Reference: Iowa Code 558 a (2026) — Iowa Code §558A.1(7)

8. 8Which task may an unlicensed support person perform under direct supervision in an Iowa brokerage?

   1. A. Submit listing data to a multiple listing service
   2. B. Negotiate a buyer's compensation obligation
   3. C. Explain a purchase agreement to a customer
   4. D. Independently show a home offered for sale

   Answer: A

   Explanation: “Submit data on listings to a multiple listing service;” Submitting listing data to an MLS is a listed ministerial activity; the other choices involve barred licensed judgment or sales activity.

   Reference: Iowa Administrative Code — Chapter 481.2007 — 481 IAC 2007.13(4)(a)(2) and (b)

9. 9What must an Iowa designated broker do with regulatory information received by the brokerage?

   1. A. Disseminate it timely to licensed employees and independent contractors
   2. B. Retain it only in the broker's private compliance file
   3. C. Send it only to newly licensed salespersons
   4. D. Wait until the next annual staff meeting

   Answer: A

   Explanation: “disseminates, in a timely manner, to licensed employees and independent contractors all regulatory information received by the brokerage” The designated broker must timely distribute brokerage-practice regulatory information to licensed employees and independent contractors.

   Reference: Iowa Administrative Code — Chapter 481.2007 — 481 IAC 2007.10(2)

10. 10Which document must an Iowa broker hold before an affiliated licensee shows property to prospective renters?

    1. A. Written property-management agreement
    2. B. Listing agreement
    3. C. Rental agreement
    4. D. Agency disclosure

    Answer: A

    Explanation: “unless the licensee’s broker holds a current written property management agreement or other written authorization signed by the owner” Leasing, negotiating, listing, or showing rental property requires the broker to hold current written authorization signed by the owner or authorized agent.

    Reference: Iowa Administrative Code — Chapter 481.2015 — 481 IAC 2015.1