Requirements, license levels, and the issuing authority, sourced from Iowa's official board.
Iowa licenses statewide at every level from apprentice through contractor, and the HVAC-refrigeration and hydronic disciplines are licensed distinctly, so a technician's discipline decides which exam and which continuing education hours apply. The individual credential and the business contractor license are separate, and the contractor license is what carries the insurance and bond obligation. Refrigerant work requires federal EPA Section 608 certification.
| Requirements | Applicants must be at least 18 and disclose criminal convictions, with felony convictions reviewed by the board. Journeyperson requires evidence of at least four years of practical experience as an apprentice in a program registered by the US Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship plus a passing score on the Iowa journeyperson examination, or a master-level license in the same discipline from another jurisdiction. Master requires a journeyperson license plus two years of work experience, or a master license from another jurisdiction, plus the Iowa master examination for the discipline. Exam approval application $35 per discipline. Contractor licensure requires an active master license or the employment of at least one active master for each discipline in which the applicant does covered work, at least $500,000 of public liability insurance with the board as certificate holder, a minimum $5,000 surety bond, a permanent business location and unemployment insurance documentation; a master may be master of record for only one contractor per discipline. |
| Reciprocity | The board states its reciprocity agreement applies only to journeyperson and master plumbing licenses, and only with South Dakota, where the South Dakota license was obtained by written examination and the applicant provides proof of good standing. There is no reciprocity route for an Iowa HVAC or mechanical license. |
| Renewal | Every 3 years, expiring June 30 and valid through August 31, with a $100 late fee. Continuing education is 8 hours per license per three-year cycle: 2 hours code, 4 hours in the license discipline, and 2 hours Iowa occupational health and safety. A holder of two mechanical licenses needs 14 hours; a holder of plumbing plus mechanical licenses reaches the 16-hour maximum. Up to half the hours may be completed online and at least half must be in person. |
| Notes | Iowa licenses statewide at every level from apprentice through contractor, and the HVAC-refrigeration and hydronic disciplines are licensed distinctly, so a technician's discipline decides which exam and which continuing education hours apply. The individual credential and the business contractor license are separate, and the contractor license is what carries the insurance and bond obligation. Refrigerant work requires federal EPA Section 608 certification. |
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Sources: dial.iowa.gov, dial.iowa.gov. Always confirm current requirements with the issuing authority.
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