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Licensed jobs in Iowa

Iowa: 11 occupations, 10 licensing agencies. For each one: the board, the main credential, its training, application fee and renewal cycle, from the boards' own pages.

Last checked · 35 official sources

On this page
  1. Occupations we cover in Iowa
  2. Licensing boards
  3. Moving to Iowa with a license
  4. Check a license
  5. Sources

Occupations we cover in Iowa

Iowa licenses 10 of the 11 occupations below at the state level; for general contractors the state credential we show is a registration, not a license. Electricians have the most levels here (11 credentials); each occupation page covers every level.

OccupationMain licenseBoardTraining or experienceApplication feeRenewal
CosmetologistBarbering and Cosmetology License (barber and cosmetologist)
2 credentials in all		Iowa Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts & SciencesTraining 1,550 clock hours1$602Every 2 years3
Notary publicNotary Public (commission as notary public)
2 credentials in all		Iowa Secretary of State–$305Every 3 years5
Registered nurse (RN)Registered Nurse (RN) – single state license
2 credentials in all		Board of Nursing–$936Every 3 years7
Insurance agentResident insurance producer licenseIID–$5011Every 3 years12
PlumberJourneyperson
6 credentials in all		PMSBTraining 4 years13$18014Every 3 years13
Certified nursing assistant (CNA)Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) / nurse aide, listed on the Iowa Direct Care Worker Registry
2 credentials in all		DIALTraining 75 clock hours18––
ElectricianJourneyman Electrician, Class A
11 credentials in all		Electrical Examining BoardTraining 576 clock hours19
Experience 4 years20		$7521Every 3 years21
Security guardIdentification Card (Private Security Guard)
3 credentials in all		DPS–$1024–
Massage therapistMassage Therapist (licensed massage therapist, L.M.T.)
2 credentials in all		Board of Massage TherapyTraining 600 clock hours25$1202Every 2 years26
Real estate agentReal Estate Salesperson
3 credentials in all		Real Estate CommissionTraining 60 classroom hours28$12529Every 3 years30
General contractorContractor RegistrationDIAL––Every year35

Licensing boards

10 agencies issue the Iowa licenses we cover:

  • Electrical Examining Board: electricians
  • Plumbing & Mechanical Systems Board (PMSB): plumbers
  • Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL): nursing assistants and general contractors
  • Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS): security guards
  • Real Estate Commission: real estate agents
  • Iowa Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts & Sciences: cosmetologists
  • Iowa Secretary of State: notaries
  • Board of Nursing: registered nurses
  • Board of Massage Therapy: massage therapists
  • Iowa Insurance Division (IID): insurance agents

Moving to Iowa with a license

For plumbers, electricians and real estate agents, the Iowa board names the states whose licenses it accepts. The boards for notaries, security guards and general contractors publish no transfer route, so you apply as a new applicant. Conditions, fees and forms are on each occupation page.

OccupationRoutes the board publishes
CosmetologistUniversal license recognition4
Notary publicNo reciprocity route5
Registered nurse (RN)License by endorsement, Temporary license or permit and Interstate compact privilege8910
Insurance agentReciprocity agreements and Exam waiver12
PlumberReciprocity agreements, Universal license recognition and License by endorsement151617
Certified nursing assistant (CNA)License by endorsement18
ElectricianReciprocity agreements, License by endorsement and Universal license recognition222320
Security guardNo reciprocity route24
Massage therapistLicense by endorsement, Universal license recognition and Temporary license or permit27426
Real estate agentReciprocity agreements, Exam waiver, Universal license recognition and Military service members and spouses31323334
General contractor–

Check a license

Every board above runs its own license search. The Iowa license lookup page lists them in one place, with the links to report an unlicensed or problem provider.

Sources

Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.

  1. Iowa Code chapter 157 Barbering and Cosmetology Arts and SciencesIowa LegislatureDated December 9, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  2. 481 IAC ch. 507 Fees (10-28-2026 IAC)Iowa LegislatureDated September 30, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  3. 481 IAC ch. 940 Licensure (10-28-2026 IAC)Iowa LegislatureDated September 30, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  4. 481 IAC ch. 501 Licensure by verification / work experience (10-28-2026 IAC)Iowa LegislatureDated September 30, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  5. Iowa Code chapter 9B, Revised Uniform Law on Notarial ActsIowa LegislatureChecked November 6, 2026
  6. Fees and fee waiversIowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and LicensingChecked November 7, 2026
  7. RenewalsIowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and LicensingChecked November 7, 2026
  8. How do I apply for licensure by endorsementIowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and LicensingChecked November 7, 2026
  9. 481 IAC ch. 617 Licensure to practice—RN/LPN (IAC 11/5/2026)Iowa LegislatureDated September 30, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  10. Nurse Licensure CompactIowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and LicensingChecked November 7, 2026
  11. Insurance ProducersIowa Insurance DivisionChecked November 8, 2026
  12. Iowa Code ch. 522B Licensing of Insurance ProducersIowa LegislatureDated December 9, 2025Checked November 8, 2026
  13. Iowa Code chapter 105 Plumbers, Mechanical Professionals, and ContractorsIowa LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
  14. 481 IAC ch. 428 Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board—Licensure FeesIowa Legislature (Iowa Administrative Code)Dated September 30, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  15. Master Level LicenseIowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and LicensingChecked November 7, 2026
  16. 481 IAC ch. 430 Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board—Alternative Licensure PathwaysIowa Legislature (Iowa Administrative Code)Dated September 30, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  17. Journey Level LicenseIowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and LicensingChecked November 7, 2026
  18. Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs)Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and LicensingChecked November 7, 2026
  19. State of Iowa Testing Sponsorship Requirements and InformationIowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (Electrical Examining Board)Dated December 14, 2023Checked November 7, 2026
  20. 481 IAC ch. 401 Licensing requirements, procedures, and feesIowa Legislature (Iowa Administrative Code)Dated September 30, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  21. Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 103Iowa LegislatureDated December 9, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  22. Reciprocal Licensing Agreements with Other StatesIowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (Electrical Examining Board)Dated January 29, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  23. License by Verification FormIowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (Electrical Examining Board)Dated October 20, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  24. 661 IAC chapter 121Iowa Legislature (Iowa Administrative Code)Dated February 5, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  25. 481 IAC ch. 822 Massage Therapy Education CurriculumIowa LegislatureDated September 30, 2026Checked November 8, 2026
  26. 481 IAC ch. 821 Licensure of Massage TherapistsIowa LegislatureDated September 30, 2026Checked November 8, 2026
  27. Iowa Code ch. 152C Massage TherapyIowa LegislatureDated December 9, 2025Checked November 8, 2026
  28. 481 IAC ch. 2016 Prelicense Education and Continuing EducationIowa Legislature (Iowa Administrative Code)Dated September 30, 2026Checked November 6, 2026
  29. 481 IAC ch. 2009 FeesIowa Legislature (Iowa Administrative Code)Dated September 30, 2026Checked November 5, 2026
  30. 481 IAC ch. 2004 Salesperson LicenseIowa Legislature (Iowa Administrative Code)Dated September 30, 2026Checked November 5, 2026
  31. Reciprocity LicensingIowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (Iowa Real Estate Commission)Checked November 5, 2026
  32. Licensed In Another State-Rule 5.3 LicensingIowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (Iowa Real Estate Commission)Checked November 6, 2026
  33. 481 IAC ch. 2005 Licensees of Other Jurisdictions and ReciprocityIowa Legislature (Iowa Administrative Code)Dated September 30, 2026Checked November 5, 2026
  34. 481 IAC ch. 7 Military Service, Veteran Reciprocity, and Spouses of Active-Duty Service MembersIowa Legislature (Iowa Administrative Code)Dated September 30, 2026Checked November 5, 2026
  35. Contractor RegistrationIowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and LicensingChecked November 5, 2026