Iowa Electrician License Requirements

Official classification: Class A Master Electrician / Class A Journeyman Electrician · Issued by the Iowa Electrical Examining Board (Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing).

⚡ ElectricianIA ✔ Verified 2026-06-26

In Iowa, electricians must hold the Class A Master Electrician / Class A Journeyman Electrician, issued by the Iowa Electrical Examining Board (Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing), and no state surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed electrician in Iowa

Follow these steps to earn your Class A Master Electrician / Class A Journeyman Electrician. Every figure is verified against the Iowa Electrical Examining Board (Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing); full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. Class A Master: 1 year as licensed journeyman electrician. Class A Journeyman: 8,000 hours through registered apprenticeship program OR 4,000 hours of commercial/industrial work OR 6,000 hours with post-secondary education. Class B Journeyman: 16,000 cumulative hours since 1/1/1998. Residential Master: 2,000 hours as residential/journeyman electrician. Residential Electrician: 6,000 apprentice hours OR 4,000 supervised hours plus 1 year trade school OR 8,000 unclassified hours (2,000 residential). Special Electrician: 4,000 hours or exam for irrigation; 2 years experience for A/C disconnection. Class B Master requires 16,000 hours cumulative since 1/1/1998.
Pass the Class A Master Electrician Examination and Class A Journeyman Electrician Examination and Residential Master Electrician Examination and Residential Electrician Examination exams. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Line up insurance. You'll need liability insurance ($1,000,000 per occurrence general liability insurance), and workers' compensation coverage.
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the Iowa Electrical Examining Board (Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing) — Included in license fee application fee, plus a $375 for Class A/B Master and Electrical Contractor; $75 for Class A/B Journeyman, Residential Electrician, Special Electrician; $20 for Apprentice and Unclassified license fee. Processing time: Varies; online applications processed upon receipt and payment through iowaelectrical.gov portal.
Keep the license active. Renew every 3 years, completing 18 contact hours per 3-year renewal cycle; at least 6 contact hours must be on the National Electrical Code (per Iowa Code 103.18).

License types

Class A Master Electrician — Full electrical design, installation, and contracting authority; supervision of all electrical work
Class B Master Electrician — Grandfathered master classification; limited electrical work under specific conditions
Residential Master Electrician — Residential electrical contracting and supervision authority
Class A Journeyman Electrician — All electrical work under supervision; full authority after experience requirement
Class B Journeyman Electrician — Grandfathered journeyman classification; limited electrical work
Residential Electrician — Residential electrical installations only
Special Electrician — Specialized electrical work (irrigation wiring, sign installation, A/C disconnection)
Apprentice Electrician — Limited work under direct supervision while completing apprenticeship

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	Class A Master: 1 year as licensed journeyman electrician. Class A Journeyman: 8,000 hours through registered apprenticeship program OR 4,000 hours of commercial/industrial work OR 6,000 hours with post-secondary education. Class B Journeyman: 16,000 cumulative hours since 1/1/1998. Residential Master: 2,000 hours as residential/journeyman electrician. Residential Electrician: 6,000 apprentice hours OR 4,000 supervised hours plus 1 year trade school OR 8,000 unclassified hours (2,000 residential). Special Electrician: 4,000 hours or exam for irrigation; 2 years experience for A/C disconnection. Class B Master requires 16,000 hours cumulative since 1/1/1998.
Application fee	Included in license fee
License fee	$375 for Class A/B Master and Electrical Contractor; $75 for Class A/B Journeyman, Residential Electrician, Special Electrician; $20 for Apprentice and Unclassified
Renewal fee	$375 (contractors/master) or $75 (journeyman/residential) or $20 (apprentice) per 3-year renewal cycle
Renewal period	Every 3 years
Continuing education	18 contact hours per 3-year renewal cycle; at least 6 contact hours must be on the National Electrical Code (per Iowa Code 103.18).
Bond required	Not required for electrician licenses in Iowa
Liability insurance	$1,000,000 per occurrence general liability insurance
Property damage	—
Workers' comp	Required if employing any staff
Background check	None
Credit requirement	None
Reciprocity	Alaska; Arkansas; Colorado; Minnesota; Montana; Nebraska; New Hampshire; North Dakota; Oklahoma; South Dakota; Texas; Wisconsin; Wyoming
Processing time	Varies; online applications processed upon receipt and payment through iowaelectrical.gov portal

Exams

Class A Master Electrician Examination	Provider: PSI (board-approved vendor) · Passing: 70% · Fee: Set by the board-approved testing vendor (not published by the board)
Class A Journeyman Electrician Examination	Provider: PSI (board-approved vendor) · Passing: 70% · Fee: Set by the board-approved testing vendor (not published by the board)
Residential Master Electrician Examination	Provider: PSI (board-approved vendor) · Passing: 70% · Fee: Set by the board-approved testing vendor (not published by the board)
Residential Electrician Examination	Provider: PSI (board-approved vendor) · Passing: 70% · Fee: Set by the board-approved testing vendor (not published by the board)

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Local / municipal notes

Iowa has statewide licensing through the Electrical Examining Board; no separate municipal licensing. SAVE verification required for U.S. citizenship or lawful presence. First-time applicants with household income not exceeding 200% of federal poverty guidelines are eligible for fee waivers.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Iowa electrician license cost?

Application: Included in license fee. License: $375 for Class A/B Master and Electrical Contractor; $75 for Class A/B Journeyman, Residential Electrician, Special Electrician; $20 for Apprentice and Unclassified. Renewal: $375 (contractors/master) or $75 (journeyman/residential) or $20 (apprentice) per 3-year renewal cycle.

Do electricians in Iowa need a surety bond?

Not required for electrician licenses in Iowa

What experience is required for a Iowa electrician license?

Class A Master: 1 year as licensed journeyman electrician. Class A Journeyman: 8,000 hours through registered apprenticeship program OR 4,000 hours of commercial/industrial work OR 6,000 hours with post-secondary education. Class B Journeyman: 16,000 cumulative hours since 1/1/1998. Residential Master: 2,000 hours as residential/journeyman electrician. Residential Electrician: 6,000 apprentice hours OR 4,000 supervised hours plus 1 year trade school OR 8,000 unclassified hours (2,000 residential). Special Electrician: 4,000 hours or exam for irrigation; 2 years experience for A/C disconnection. Class B Master requires 16,000 hours cumulative since 1/1/1998.

Is insurance required for electricians in Iowa?

Liability: $1,000,000 per occurrence general liability insurance Workers' compensation: Required if employing any staff

How often must a Iowa electrician license be renewed?

Every 3 years. Continuing education: 18 contact hours per 3-year renewal cycle; at least 6 contact hours must be on the National Electrical Code (per Iowa Code 103.18).

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-06-26 — always confirm current requirements directly with the Iowa Electrical Examining Board (Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing) before applying. This is not legal advice.