Article Summary: This article will help anyone looking for information pertaining to a real estate license in the state of Idaho or anyone looking to become a real estate agent or realtor in Idaho. Contents of this article may include information on real estate education, schools, training courses, continuing education, tests and exams, laws, license requirements, renewal information, forms and more..

The Idaho Real Estate Commission administers all aspects of the real estate law in the state. The commission oversees 11,300 licenses.  The office of the Commission is in Boise.

The requirements for a real estate salesperson license in Idaho include being at least 18 years of age and having a high school diploma or GED. Applicants need to successfully complete 90 hours of approved prelicensure education courses and successfully pass both the Idaho and National (general) salesperson real estate examinations.

The requirements for a real estate broker license in Idaho include being at least 18 years of age and having a high school diploma or GED. Applicants for the broker license need to provide proof of two years active experience as a real estate salesperson during the preceding five years.

 The real estate broker the salesperson worked under needs to provide a certified statement regarding the activity of the salesperson. Broker applicants need to successfully complete 90 hours of the broker prelicensure education courses, and successfully pass the state and national broker real estate examinations. Idaho brokers must have a physical business location within the state and a business name. The business name may be the broker's personal name.

Many of the Idaho real estate forms may be accessed online.

All licensed Idaho real estate agents need to provide both fingerprints and the approval for a criminal activity investigation, and they must successfully complete 16 hours of continuing education courses during each renewal term of their license. When Idaho real estate salespersons apply for a real estate broker license they need to provide a new set of fingerprints and undergo a new criminal activity investigation.  Out of state applicants will need a certified license history from your primary state of licensure to apply for an Idaho exam waiver

Errors and Omission Insurance is mandatory for all real estate agents doing business in Idaho. Applicants must not have had a license revoked, suspended, surrendered, or renewal refused within the preceding five years, and must not have been convicted of a crime or completed confinement with the preceding five years.

The original license fee for new licensees is based on one year plus the number of months until the agent's birth date. The licenses are renewed for a two year period and expire on the agent's birthday. License fees are $160.00 per year maximum, with a $25.00 fee for renewing late.

 The only education requirement after licensure is the CE requirement every renewal period (16 hours of electives plus one (1) Core course).

 Idaho Real Estate Commission contracts with Pearson VUE (formerly Promissor, Inc.) to administer the license Idaho real estate exams, and the fees for exams are $75.

Idaho has reciprocity with three other states: Wyoming, Oregon and Montana. Real estate agents from other states can apply for an Idaho license with a varying number of requirements for education and experience.

You can locate the approved real estate education providers online.  After clicking here look for the “Find a Provider” tab.  Once there, you can search by either provider name, or city.  There is also an Education FAQ that has answers to lots of questions.

Real estate careers are strengthened by membership in the many organizations that provide services for the professional agent. Those holding a real estate license usually join organizations like the Idaho Association of Realtors the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB), and the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO). The National Association of Realtors (NAR), the world's largest professional association, assists many in locating real estate jobs within the industry. These organizations are also excellent resources of real estate education.