How To Become A Real Estate Agent In Idaho
Professional education plays a central role in Idaho to earn and retain your real estate license.
Before you apply for a license, you need certain coursework to give you the basics and prepare you for the state license exam. Idaho also requires post-license education to teach you practical applications that will steer you as you start your career. Professional education is also a lifelong pursuit – before each license renewal, you need to take continuing education prescribed by the Idaho Real Estate Commission (IREC).
Unfortunately, we don't offer Idaho real estate education at this time. You'll need to visit IREC's website for a list of approved education providers.
However, we're aware of how overwhelming licensing regulations can be. Even though we can't help you get the required coursework, we want to make sure you understand the necessary steps. You can learn more about the requirements and deadlines based on Idaho law in the real estate career guide below.
What Are Idaho's Real Estate Pre-Licensing Education Requirements?
IREC requires 90 hours of pre-licensing coursework from an approved educational provider, including a:
- 45-hour course on fundamental real estate concepts
- 45-hour course on knowledge and applies skills for listing, selling, buying, and closing property
Who is Eligible to Become a Real Estate Agent in Idaho?
To qualify for a salesperson license in Idaho, you must:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Be able to pass a background check
- Have a high school diploma or the equivalent
- Provide proof of legal presence in the U.S.
What Else Do I Need to Do to Earn My Idaho Real Estate License?
After you successfully pass your pre-license courses, you need to:
- Pass the salesperson licensing exam
- Get fingerprinted for a background check
- Complete your licensing application
- Find a sponsoring broker
- Get Errors & Omissions Insurance coverage
What is the Idaho Real Estate Licensing Exam Like?
The exam is administered by Pearson VUE, a third-party testing service, in several locations throughout the state. It consists of 80 national topic questions and 40 Idaho-specific questions and must be completed within a total of 4 hours.
Before you leave the testing center, you'll find out whether you passed.
What is the Deadline for my Idaho Real Estate License Application?
Your license application has to be turned in one year after passing your state licensing exam. If you only pass one section on your first attempt, that starts the clock on your year.
You need to be fingerprinted for a background check, as well. IREC recommends making an appointment for fingerprinting through Pearson VUE. Processing of a background check can take 1-12 weeks, and results are valid for 6 months.
In order to activate your license, you need both a sponsoring broker and proof of E&O insurance.
What Are the Real Estate Post-Licensing / First Renewal Requirements in Idaho?
Before your first renewal on active status, you need 18 total hours of education, including:
- 12 hours of post-license education
- An 8-hour Post-License Fundamentals course
- A 4-hour post-license module of your choosing. You can choose between:
- Post-License Pricing, Marketing, and Advertising
- Post-License Professionalism, Negotiations, and Closings
- Post-License Introduction to Commercial Real Estate
- 6 hours of Idaho Commission Core education (one 3-hour course per year)
How Often Does an Idaho Real Estate License Have to Be Renewed?
Renewals are due every 2 years in Idaho. You can submit your application as early as 90 days before your expiration date, as long as you complete all of your continuing education first.
What Are Idaho's Continuing Education Requirements for Real Estate?
For second and subsequent renewals, Idaho requires you to complete 18 Continuing Education hours from an approved provider every 2 years, including:
- Two 3-hour core courses
- 12 elective hours
Core courses are developed by IREC each year, and the topic changes every July 1st. Core courses cover changes in relevant laws or regulations and other hot topics.
What Kind of Jobs Can I Get with an Idaho Real Estate License?
Once you're licensed as a real estate agent in Idaho, you can pursue a number of careers, including:
- Residential real estate agent
- Commercial real estate agent
- Real estate broker
- Property manager
Moreover, there are countless niches and specialties you can choose from, based on the part you play, the type of real estate, and the type of client. Some niches are more lucrative than others – those often call for extra licenses or certifications.
To get an idea of your potential earnings in Idaho, you can look at the median wage data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
| Job Title | Average Hourly Wage | Average Yearly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Sales Agents | $19.29 | $40,120 |
| Brokers | $25.06 | $52,120 |
| Property Managers | $16.28 | $33,850 |
Your income is largely based on commission in the real estate industry, so your earnings will depend directly on how well you sell. There are part-time professionals with low earnings, as well as top earners making big bucks. For example, in Idaho, the top 90th percentile of sales agents make $80,550.
To learn more about different career opportunities, real estate specialties, and how commissions work, check out our Resources page.
