1.2 Idaho License Requirements
Key Takeaways
- Salesperson applicants must be at least 18, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, be lawfully present, and be of good moral character
- Pre-license education is 90 hours: two 45-hour modules completed within 3 years before application, each passed with 70%+
- The exam (Pearson VUE) has 120 scored questions — 80 national + 40 state — plus 5-10 unscored pretest items; passing is a scaled score of 70 on EACH portion
- A fingerprint-based FBI and Idaho State Police background check is required
- E&O insurance must be in effect BEFORE the broker activates the license (individual minimum $100,000 per claim / $300,000 aggregate)
Idaho's licensing path has clear, testable thresholds. Memorize the numbers — they appear directly on the state portion.
Salesperson Eligibility
An applicant must:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Hold a high school diploma or equivalent
- Be a U.S. citizen or lawfully present in the United States
- Be of good moral character
- Clear a fingerprint-based background check
Pre-License Education — 90 Hours, Two Modules
Applicants must complete 90 hours of IREC-approved pre-license education, divided into two 45-hour modules, completed within 3 years before applying. A student must attend 100% of each course and pass each course's final exam with 70% or higher.
| Module | Hours | Representative Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Sales Pre-License Module 1 | 45 | Real property rights and ownership, land use controls, agency, contract law and Idaho contract requirements, real estate finance, license law, real estate math |
| Sales Pre-License Module 2 | 45 | Investment, appraisal, buyer/seller representation, environmental issues, closings, title transfer, leasing and property management, fair housing, brokerage |
| Total | 90 |
Note: Idaho's 90-hour requirement exceeds the national norm of roughly 60-75 hours.
The Examination (Pearson VUE)
Idaho contracts with Pearson VUE to deliver the licensing exam. The salesperson exam has 120 scored questions plus 5-10 unscored pretest items the candidate cannot distinguish from scored ones.
| Detail | Salesperson Exam |
|---|---|
| Scored questions | 120 (80 national + 40 state) |
| Pretest (unscored) items | 5-10, mixed in |
| National time | 150 minutes |
| State time | 90 minutes |
| Total session | About 4 hours |
| Passing | Scaled score of 70 on EACH portion (scale 0-100) |
| Must pass | Both portions |
| Exam fee | About $80 |
Trap: A passing score of 70 is a scaled score, not simply "70% correct," and you must pass the national and state portions separately. Failing one portion means re-taking that portion.
Fingerprint Background Check
All applicants submit fingerprints through an approved vendor for an FBI and Idaho State Police criminal history review. IREC reviews results for suitability. Felonies involving fraud or dishonesty, real-estate-related crimes, and recent serious offenses can bar or delay licensure.
E&O Insurance — Required Before Activation
Idaho requires Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance to be in effect before the broker activates the license. You can pass the exam and apply, but the license cannot be activated to practice until E&O is in place.
| Coverage | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Individual licensee | $100,000 per claim / $300,000 aggregate (not including defense costs) |
| Real estate company/firm | $500,000 per claim / $1,000,000 aggregate |
IREC makes a Group E&O policy available to all active licensees; a licensee may instead obtain independent coverage that meets the same minimums and certify it to IREC. Because Idaho has no recovery fund, this coverage is the linchpin of consumer protection.
Approximate Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Pearson VUE exam | ~$80 |
| Salesperson application to the state | ~$135 (reduced from $160 in 2025) |
| Fingerprinting | ~$61.25 |
| E&O insurance | Varies by provider |
Becoming a Broker
To upgrade to a broker license, an applicant generally must have two years of active experience as a licensed salesperson within the preceding five years, complete additional broker education, and pass the broker exam (also 80 national + 40 state) with the higher broker passing standard. A salesperson cannot operate independently — they always work under a designated broker until they qualify and choose to become one.
Worked scenario: A candidate passes both portions, but tries to start showing homes before securing E&O coverage. That is improper — the license cannot be activated without E&O on file, and practicing on an inactive license is a violation.
Exam-Day Logistics and Strategy
The exam is computer-based at a Pearson VUE test center. Candidates schedule online after IREC determines exam eligibility, and bring valid government-issued photo identification matching the registration name. The two portions are timed separately: 150 minutes for the 80-question national portion and 90 minutes for the 40-question state portion.
| Pacing | National | State |
|---|---|---|
| Questions | 80 | 40 |
| Minutes | 150 | 90 |
| Approx. per question | ~1.9 min | ~2.25 min |
Because 5-10 pretest items are scattered in and look identical to scored questions, candidates should answer every question and not waste time guessing which are unscored. Results are reported immediately at the test center.
Activation Sequence
Passing the exam does not make a person a practicing licensee. The full sequence is:
- Pass both portions.
- Submit the application and pass the background check.
- Obtain E&O insurance meeting the minimums.
- Affiliate with a designated broker who activates the license.
Until step 4, the salesperson cannot list, show, or negotiate property.
Honesty on the Application
Applicants must disclose criminal history and prior professional discipline. Falsifying or omitting required disclosures is itself grounds for denial or later discipline — IREC's fingerprint check will surface FBI and Idaho State Police records regardless. Good moral character is a continuing requirement, not just an entry hurdle.
Trap: A felony conviction does not automatically bar licensure, but failing to disclose it almost certainly creates a separate, independent violation for dishonesty.
How is the Idaho salesperson pre-license education structured?
How many SCORED questions are on the Idaho salesperson exam and what is the passing standard?
When must an Idaho applicant have E&O insurance in place?
What experience does Idaho generally require before a salesperson can become a broker?