Requirements to Become a Real Estate Broker in Idaho
To obtain a real estate broker license in Idaho, you need to:

1. Complete the educational requirements. You must complete the courses required for a salesperson license, and at least 90 hours of approved advanced broker education to include: 1) a Brokerage Management course; 2) a Real Estate Law course; 3) two elective courses in separate subject areas consisting of at least 20 classroom hours each. Approved topics include “Areas of Real Estate Specialization,” “Alternative Real Estate Finance,” “Real Estate Finance,” “Real Estate Valuation & Analysis.” In addition, you must show proof of completing Idaho's Business Conduct and Office Operations (BCOO) course within the 5 years prior to applying for a broker's license.
2. Provide proof of experience. You must provide proof of two years active real estate experience within the last five years. The Commission, at its discretion, may modify or reduce the two-year active experience requirement based upon the educational background and experience as a licensed real estate broker or salesperson in another state, or experience in related or affiliated business activities. In deciding whether to consider your experience as sufficient to qualify as “active experience” we are looking for, among other factors, at least 30 hours per week doing real estate business, during at least 100 weeks of a 24-month period with approximately 15-20 sales and listings resulting in over $2 million in total sales volume. If you are already hold an active broker’s license in another state, you are not required to furnish proof of the experience requirements.
3. Submit fingerprints prior to applying for licensure. Applicants must submit a completed fingerprint card with a processing fee within 120 days of being printed and receive fingerprint clearance from the Commission office prior to applying for the license. A letter will be mailed with the results to the address provided on the fingerprint card. Fingerprint results are valid for 6 months from the date released. The Commission will accept completed applications anytime during those 6 months.
4. Pass the Idaho real estate license exam. You will need to pass a 130 multiple-choice question exam.
5. Submit proof of Errors and Omissions insurance. New applicants, renewal applicants and licensed entities for active real estate licensure must certify that they have obtained errors and omissions insurance to cover all licensed activities.
6. File an application with the required fee. The application must include:

• Copy of license exam results (taken within the last year)
• Copy of high school diploma, transcript, or equivalency certificate
• Copy of real estate education course certificates
• Approved IREC fingerprint card results

If you have additional questions about licensing, we recommend you call the Idaho Board of Realty at (208) 334-3285.

If you are an agent licensed in another state, you need to:

1. Request a certified license history from the state in which you have been or are currently licensed. You must send the certified license history to IREC along with a written request for a waiver of the national portion of the licensing exam. If the state is similar to Idaho requirements you do not need to furnish proof of educational requirements. Idaho has an reciprocal agreement with Wyoming, Montana, and Oregon. In addition to to reciprocal agreements, Idaho has licensing recognition agreements with other states and Canadian provinces to accept education and examination requirements of active licensure in the other state or province depending on the license agreement. Idaho currently has agreements with Alberta, Canada and the following states:
   • Colorado
   • Georgia
   • Iowa
   • Nebraska
   • North Dakota
   • Oklahoma
   • South Carolina
   • South Dakota
   • Tennessee
   • Utah
   • West Virginia
   For more information on reciprocal licensing, view the IREC License Manual.
2. Provide proof of experience. You must provide proof of two years active real estate experience within the last five years. The Commission, at its discretion, may modify or reduce the two-year active experience requirement based upon the educational background and experience as a licensed real estate broker or salesperson in another state, or experience in related or affiliated business activities. In deciding whether to consider your experience as sufficient to qualify as “active experience” we are looking for, among other factors, at least 30 hours per week doing real estate business, during at least 100 weeks of a 24-month period with approximately 15-20 sales and listings resulting in over $2 million in total sales volume. If you already hold an active broker’s license in another state, you are not required to furnish proof of the experience requirements.
3. Complete the educational requirements if required. You must complete the courses required for a salesperson license, and at least 90 hours of approved advanced broker education to include: 1) a Brokerage Management course; 2) a Real Estate Law course; 3) two elective courses in separate subject areas consisting of at least 20 classroom hours each. Approved topics include “Areas of Real Estate Specialization,” “Alternative Real Estate Finance,” “Real Estate Finance,” “Real Estate Valuation & Analysis.” In addition, you must show proof of completing Idaho's Business Conduct and Office Operations (BCOO) course within the 5 years prior to applying for a broker's license.
4. Submit fingerprints prior to applying for licensure. Applicants must submit a completed fingerprint card with a processing fee within 120 days of being printed and receive fingerprint clearance from the Commission office prior to applying for the license. A letter will be mailed with the results to the address provided on the fingerprint card. Fingerprint results are valid for 6 months from the date released. The Commission will accept completed applications anytime during those 6 months.
5. Pass the Idaho real estate license exam. You will need to pass the state portion of the exam.
6. Submit proof of Errors and Omissions insurance. New applicants, renewal applicants and licensed entities for active real estate licensure must certify that they have obtained errors and omissions insurance to cover all licensed activities.
7. File an application with the required fee. The application must include:

• Copy of license exam results (taken within the last year)
• Copy of high school diploma, transcript, or equivalency certificate
• Copy of real estate education course certificates (if required)
• Approved IREC fingerprint card results
• Current certified license history from the primary state of licensure
• Copy of current primary license from other states

"I was well prepared for the real estate exam. Easy to use and easy to understand. Passed the first time! "
  — Real Estate Student

Idaho Real Estate Exam Information
Idaho real estate license applicants must pass a computerized exam administered by Pearson Vue, a national testing firm with exam sites in Boise, Coeur d'Alene, Pocatello and Spokane.

To schedule your exam, Pearson Vue will require the following:

1. Personal information - legal name, address, phone, SSN, date of birth
2. Exam specifics - exam type, preferred date, test center location, and school name and code number.

For more information, click here to view Pearson Vue's website, which includes exam reservation guidelines, and a list of all Pearson Vue test center locations and hours of operation.

Upon arriving at the test center, you’ll need to show your two (2) forms of current signature identification, one of which must be government-issued and photo-bearing and your confirmation number to the test administrator. If you are actively licensed in another state you must also bring the Original Certificate of Waiver if you are not taking the general portion of the exam. A brief online tutorial will familiarize you with the computerized testing system before you answer 130 multiple-choice questions (80 general questions and 50 state-specific questions).

You will have four hours to complete the exam. Be sure to attempt to answer every question. When candidates complete the examination, you will receive a score report marked "pass" or "fail". Candidates who pass will receive a score report with information on how to apply for a license.

For more information on the Idaho real estate exam, read the Real Estate Candidate Handbook.