Requirements, license levels, and the issuing authority, sourced from Iowa's official board.
The per-discipline structure is the thing to plan around. Four years of apprenticeship qualifies you to sit examinations, but each trade you want to practise is a separate paper, a separate license and a separate eight hours of class every three years.
| Requirements | ONE BOARD FOR PLUMBING AND MECHANICAL, AND ONE LICENCE PER TRADE DISCIPLINE. Iowa's Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board licenses plumbing, HVAC, refrigeration, hydronic and mechanical work through a single framework, and a worker holds a license in EACH trade discipline they practise. JOURNEY LEVEL. Evidence of AT LEAST FOUR YEARS of practical experience as an APPRENTICE, and proof of passing the Iowa journeyperson examination FOR EACH TRADE DISCIPLINE REQUESTED. The examination is per discipline: a plumber adding HVAC sits the HVAC paper too. APPRENTICE registration comes first and is what makes the four years count. A SERVICE TECHNICIAN HVAC SPECIALTY LICENCE exists as a narrower credential for service and repair work, which is often the right license for a technician who does not install. |
| Reciprocity | Iowa's journeyman license is named in Nebraska's published reciprocal agreement, so it carries in the region. For applicants coming into Iowa, the PMSB assesses the four years of apprentice experience and requires the Iowa examination for each discipline sought. |
| Renewal | For EACH Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board license, the basic requirement is at least EIGHT HOURS of classroom instruction during each THREE-YEAR licensing term. Note that the requirement is per license: a worker holding plumbing and HVAC licenses has a continuing education obligation for each. |
| Notes | The per-discipline structure is the thing to plan around. Four years of apprenticeship qualifies you to sit examinations, but each trade you want to practise is a separate paper, a separate license and a separate eight hours of class every three years. |
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Sources: dial.iowa.gov, dial.iowa.gov, dial.iowa.gov, dial.iowa.gov. Always confirm current requirements with the issuing authority.
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