How to look up a license in Iowa

Official license searches in Iowa

9 official searches from 8 boards cover the Iowa licenses on this site. 4 of the rows also link a complaint page.

What each search covers

A board's search lists only its own licenses:

• Board of Nursing: the 2 credentials it issues for registered nurses, including Registered Nurse (RN) – single state license and Registered Nurse (RN) – multistate license.
• Iowa Insurance Division: the Resident insurance producer license.
• Plumbing & Mechanical Systems Board: the 6 credentials it issues for plumbers, including Journeyperson, Apprentice license, Disconnect/reconnect plumbing technician specialty license, Medical gas piping certification, Master and Contractor license.
• Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing: the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) / nurse aide, listed on the Iowa Direct Care Worker Registry.
• Electrical Examining Board: the 11 credentials it issues for electricians, including Journeyman Electrician, Class A, Apprentice Electrician, Journeyman Electrician, Class B, Residential Electrician, Special Electrician and Unclassified Person and others.
• Iowa Department of Public Safety: the 2 credentials it issues for security guards, including Identification Card (Private Security Guard) and Private Security Agency License.
• Board of Massage Therapy: the 2 credentials it issues for massage therapists, including Massage Therapist (licensed massage therapist, L.M.T.) and Temporary license (massage therapist).
• Real Estate Commission: the 3 credentials it issues for real estate agents, including Real Estate Salesperson, Real Estate Broker and Firm license.
• Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing: the Contractor Registration.

Occupations without a state search here

• Cosmetologists: the Iowa Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts & Sciences pages we cite do not link a public search; ask the board to confirm a license.
• Notaries: the Iowa Secretary of State pages we cite do not link a public search; ask the board to confirm a license.

How to check a license

Search the board for the work you are hiring for, then check the status, the license type and the expiration date (what to check in the result).

The occupation pages explain what each license level allows: registered nurses, insurance agents, plumbers, nursing assistants, electricians, security guards, massage therapists, real estate agents, general contractors.