How to get a Journeyperson license in Iowa

Iowa plumber licenses

Iowa issues 6 plumber credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for several of the Iowa plumber licenses on this page, so they are shown once here, with the licenses they apply to. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

1. Every license level (all 6)

Requirements

Minimum age

18 years old³

Background check

Background check required³
Disclose all convictions with the complaint and judgment for each and a personal statement; the board may deny for a disqualifying (directly related) offense unless rehabilitation is shown by clear and convincing evidence.³
You can ask the board to review your record before you apply¹⁰

Fees

How to apply

Apply online

amanda-portal.idph.state.ia.us¹⁰

Temporary or provisional license

Temporary license possible only for licensure-by-verification applicants awaiting the Iowa exam.⁶

Renewal

How often

Every 3 years¹

Late renewal

Late renewal fee: $60⁴ (renewed August 1–31 after June 30 expiration; plus renewal fee; license still valid for work)
Late renewal fee: $100⁴ (renewed September 1 – June 30 after expiration (license lapsed, not valid for work); plus renewal fee)

Renew online

dial.iowa.gov¹⁰

From another state

Military service members, veterans and spouses: Veterans discharged within five years get the initial application fee and one renewal fee waived. Iowa Code 105.18(4) waives the journeyperson/master exam and experience requirements only for active or retired military members deployed during July 1, 2008 – December 31, 2009 who passed a similar exam or held a license in the same trade and level.⁴

2. Every license level except Medical gas piping certification

Requirements

Also required

Initial license fees are prorated by one-sixth for each six-month period already elapsed in the three-year licensing period (current period July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2029); applying May 1 – June 30 of year three costs the Year 3 prorated fee plus the full fee for the next period.¹¹

Renewal

When it expires

All licenses expire June 30 at the end of the three-year licensing period regardless of issue date; the current period runs July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2029. Renewal opens May 1 of year three and applications are due 30 days before expiration.³

3. Every license level except Medical gas piping certification and Contractor license

Fees

Fee waivers and reductions:

• Fees are waived for first-time Iowa applicants with household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines; veterans discharged within five years get the initial application fee and one renewal fee waived.⁴

4. Journeyperson, Disconnect/reconnect plumbing technician specialty license and Master

Renewal

Continuing education

At least 8 hours each renewal period¹¹²

Required topics

2 hours Iowa plumbing code¹³
4 hours plumbing discipline (8 hours of discipline education if holding multiple licenses)¹³
2 hours Iowa occupational safety and health (4 hours if holding multiple licenses)¹³

5. Journeyperson, Master and Contractor license

Requirements

Also required

A 30% discount applies when the same individual buys more than one journeyperson, master or contractor license in one transaction (not to paper, registration or late fees).¹¹

6. Apprentice license, Disconnect/reconnect plumbing technician specialty license and Medical gas piping certification

Renewal

If it expires

Grace period: renew by July 31 with no late fee; the license remains valid for practice for two months after expiration and lapses after August 31.⁴

7. Journeyperson and Master

Fees

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

Renewal

Approved courses

Only board-approved courses taught by board-approved instructors count; up to half may be online/computer-based.¹²

Exemptions

First renewal after reactivation may use CE earned during the reactivation compliance period.³

If it expires

Grace period: renew by July 31 with no late fee; the license remains valid for practice for two months after expiration and lapses after August 31.⁴
Lapsed more than one year: journeyperson/master must retake the exam or complete all missed CE for each missed renewal period; no prorated fee.³

From another state

8. Apprentice license and Disconnect/reconnect plumbing technician specialty license

Renewal

Renewal fee

$50⁴

Who needs a Journeyperson license

Installs and repairs plumbing as an employee of, or under the direction of, a master; may supervise apprentices in the licensed discipline for the same contractor.⁷

Work that does not need this license:

• Homeowners may work on their own existing single-family principal residence (homestead-credit property) or farm property, excluding commercial, industrial and public-use installations.¹
• Unpaid volunteers, or people helping a homeowner with unpaid work on the owner's principal residence, need no license (local permits may still apply).¹
• Employees of municipal utilities, cooperatives, public utilities, rural water districts, railroads, and commercial/industrial companies working for their employer are exempt (not rate-regulated utility employees doing systematic marketing of plumbing services).¹

Other rules on who may do this work:

• Rental property owners and their employees may do routine maintenance on the rental property.¹

Requirements for a Journeyperson license

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 4, group 5 and group 7 under Applies to every license level.

Education or training

At least 4 years¹
Four years of practical experience as an apprentice in a USDOL-registered apprenticeship (required since January 1, 2010); the DOL certificate of completion must be issued before the license.¹
Alternative: Four years of experience before January 1, 2010, by notarized Affidavit of Employment.¹⁴
Alternative: A master license in plumbing from another jurisdiction (journey by master).⁷

Exam

IA Journeyperson Plumber with Gas²
Given by: Kirkwood Community College¹⁴
Passing score: 75 percent³
Open Book, 75 questions, 3 hours²
Retakes: Retakes are allowed as often as needed within the one-year exam approval (a Kirkwood fee each attempt); after one year, reapply with a new $35 exam application. A passing score expires if you do not apply for the license within two years.¹⁴
Time limit: Must pass within one year of the original exam application date, or reapply.³

How much a Journeyperson license costs

How to apply

1. Complete (or come within 12 months of completing) your USDOL-registered apprenticeship.³
2. Submit the Exam Candidate (Exam Approval) Application with $35 per exam; approval takes up to two weeks and is valid one year.⁷ amanda-portal.idph.state.ia.us¹⁰
3. Register with Kirkwood Community College (319-398-1022), pay Kirkwood's fee and pass the open-book Journeyperson Plumber with Gas exam (75%).³
4. Within two years of passing, file the Post-Examination Licensure application with the prorated license fee (license is not issued automatically).¹⁴ amanda-portal.idph.state.ia.us¹⁰

Renewal and continuing education

Renewal fee

$180⁴

Moving to Iowa with a license from another state

These are the routes PMSB publishes for the Journeyperson license. The other plumber licenses have their own routes in their sections below.

Apprentice license

Works for a licensed contractor under a master or journeyperson while in a USDOL-registered apprenticeship; one apprentice license covers all plumbing and mechanical trades.⁸

Requirements

High school diploma or GED

Required³

Education or training

Enrollment in an apprenticeship program registered with the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship (give apprentice ID, start date, sponsor program number and sponsor name/address).¹

Fees

How to apply

1. Enroll in a USDOL-registered apprenticeship and get your indenture details from the sponsor.⁸
2. Apply online in the DIAL & HHS licensing portal (or on paper, +$25), certify your supervising journeyperson or master, disclose convictions, and pay the prorated fee.⁸ amanda-portal.idph.state.ia.us¹⁰

From another state

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 6 and group 8 under Applies to every license level.

Disconnect/reconnect plumbing technician specialty license

Sublicence under plumbing: work from the appliance or fixture shutoff valve to the appliance/fixture, including disconnecting and reconnecting it to water or sewer piping and installing a shutoff valve within 3 feet.³

Requirements

Education or training

Industry training for this work, a Service Technician Associate degree, or board-approved equivalent (approved provider listed: Kirkwood Community College Plumbing Technology Diploma Program).³

Fees

How to apply

1. Apply online or on paper, pay the specialty fee, and send proof of training separately (fax, email or mail) if applying online.¹⁵ amanda-portal.idph.state.ia.us¹⁰

From another state

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 4, group 6 and group 8 under Applies to every license level.

Medical gas piping certification

Required to install or repair medical gas piping, components and vacuum systems (including brazing).³

Requirements

Education or training

Valid certification from the National Inspection Testing Certification Corporation (NITC) or a board-approved equivalent, with current brazing qualification.¹⁶

Fees

How to apply

1. Get NITC (or board-approved) medical gas certification, then apply online or on paper with proof and the $75 fee (prorated).¹⁶ amanda-portal.idph.state.ia.us¹⁰

Renewal

Renewal fee

$75⁴

From another state

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 6 under Applies to every license level.

Master

Plans and superintends plumbing design, installation and repair and may run a plumbing business; every contractor needs a master of record, and a sole proprietor must personally be a licensed master.⁵

Requirements

Prior licensure

At least 2 years³
Two years of journeyperson experience in plumbing after licensure as a journeyperson (or a prior master license).³
License you must hold first: Journeyperson or master license in the discipline¹

Exam

IA Master Plumber with Gas²
Given by: Kirkwood Community College¹⁴
Passing score: 75 percent³
When you can take it: Previously licensed as a journeyperson with two years of journeyperson experience in plumbing, or previously licensed as a master plumber elsewhere.³
Open Book, 125 questions, 6 hours²
Retakes: Retakes are allowed as often as needed within the one-year exam approval (a Kirkwood fee each attempt); after one year, reapply with a new $35 exam application. A passing score expires if you do not apply for the license within two years.¹⁴
Time limit: Must pass within one year of the original exam application date, or reapply.³

Also required

A person may hold an active journeyperson license together with an inactive master license ($230 combined).¹

Fees

How to apply

1. After two years as a licensed journeyperson plumber (or with a master license from elsewhere), submit the Exam Approval Application ($35).⁵ amanda-portal.idph.state.ia.us¹⁰
2. Schedule with Kirkwood and pass the open-book Master Plumber with Gas exam (125 questions, 6 hours, 75% to pass).³
3. Apply for post-examination licensure and pay the prorated master fee.⁵ amanda-portal.idph.state.ia.us¹⁰

Renewal

Renewal fee

$240⁴

From another state

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 4, group 5 and group 7 under Applies to every license level.

Contractor license

Any person or entity providing plumbing (or mechanical) services under contract for a predetermined price; must employ a licensed master of record in each discipline performed.⁹

Requirements

Surety bond

$5,000⁹ (Minimum performance bond; must name the contractor's customers as obligees)

Surety bond

$25,000⁹ (Out-of-state contractors only (bond amount, not a fee))

Insurance

Public liability insurance of at least $500,000 from an insurer licensed in Iowa, with 10 days' cancellation notice to the board.⁹

Insurance

Workers' compensation insurance if the contractor has one or more employees.⁹

Business requirements

Contractor registration with DIAL (Iowa Code 91C) is filed on the same application; an unemployment insurance number is required even with no employees; maintain a permanent place of business.⁹

Business requirements

Out-of-state contractors must file a $25,000 surety bond with DIAL at registration and renewal.⁹

Also required

Self-employed contractors who do not pay more than $2,000 a year to employ others may file a notarized fee-exemption form for the registration portion only.⁹

Fees

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

1. Line up a master of record (yourself or an employee with an active Iowa master plumbing license), $500,000 liability insurance, a $5,000 surety bond, an unemployment insurance number and workers' comp if you have employees.⁹
2. Submit the joint PMSB license + DIAL contractor registration application online (or on paper, +$25) with both fees.⁹ amanda-portal.idph.state.ia.us¹⁰
3. Renew every three years by June 30 with updated insurance and bond evidence and both fees; notify the board within 30 days if your master of record leaves.³

Renewal

Renewal fee

$250⁴ (PMSB license portion; the $150 DIAL contractor registration fee is also due at every renewal)

If it expires

Grace period: renew by July 31 with no late fee; the license remains valid for practice for two months after expiration and lapses after August 31.⁴
Contractor licenses lapsed more than one year cannot be renewed; a new application with bond and insurance documents is required.⁹

From another state

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2 and group 5 under Applies to every license level.

City and county rules

Apprentice licenseCities and counties cannot license plumbers in Iowa; state law has pre-empted local plumbing licenses since July 1, 2009. Local jurisdictions still handle permits and inspections and may adopt stricter code standards.¹

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire a plumber in Iowa, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Iowa is on the Iowa license lookup page.

Look up a license

dphregprograms.iowa.gov⁹

File a complaint

dial.iowa.gov¹⁰

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• Iowa Code ch. 105 (Plumbers, Mechanical Professionals, and Contractors)
• 481 IAC ch. 428
• 481 IAC ch. 429 (Application, licensure, and examination)
• 481 IAC ch. 430 (Alternative licensure pathways)
• 481 IAC ch. 432 (Continuing education)

Common questions

Plumber licenses in other states

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