Iowa Plumber License Requirements

Official classification: Plumber License (Journey and Master Levels) · Issued by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing (DIAL) - Plumbing & Mechanical Systems Board.

🔧 PlumberIA ✔ Verified 2026-06-26

In Iowa, plumbers must hold the Plumber License (Journey and Master Levels), issued by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing (DIAL) - Plumbing & Mechanical Systems Board, and a $5,000 surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed plumber in Iowa

Follow these steps to earn your Plumber License (Journey and Master Levels). Every figure is verified against the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing (DIAL) - Plumbing & Mechanical Systems Board; full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. Journey Level: 4 years of practical experience from an apprenticeship program registered by U.S. Department of Labor; Master Level: Journey license plus 2 years of work experience, or master license from another jurisdiction
Pass the Iowa Plumbing Journeyperson Examination and Iowa Plumbing Master Examination exams. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Secure your surety bond. Iowa requires $5,000 minimum surety bond; the bond must give the board 10 days' written notice before cancellation (per IAC 481-431.3).
Check the insurance rules. Liability: $500,000 minimum public liability insurance coverage. Workers' compensation: Required for contractors with one or more employees; self-employed with no employees exempt.
Clear the background check. All convictions, felony or misdemeanor, must be disclosed with the complete criminal record and a statement on whether each directly relates to the profession; an applicant may first petition the board for an eligibility determination (481 IAC 429.12).
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing (DIAL) - Plumbing & Mechanical Systems Board — $180 (prorated based on application timing within 3-year cycle; Journey level) application fee, plus a Included in application fee license fee. Processing time: 4-6 weeks for standard applications; up to 2 weeks additional for exam approval applications.
Keep the license active. Renewal: Every 3 years. Continuing education: 8 hours per 3-year renewal period (at least half must be completed in-person classroom instruction).

For the general path in every state, see the Plumber guide →

Iowa plumber license lookup

To confirm a plumber is properly licensed in Iowa — or to check the status of your own license — search the issuing agency's official license database. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Verify a license now: Search the official ia-plb.my.site.com database →

License types

Journey Level Plumber — Perform plumbing work under the journeyperson license classification
Master Level Plumber — Perform, plan and supervise all plumbing work and supervise other plumbers; contracting also requires the separate contractor license
Contractor License — A separate license for a business contracting plumbing work; the applicant must show a public liability insurance policy and a surety bond in amounts set by board rule (Iowa Code 105.18(2)(d), 105.19)

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	Journey Level: 4 years of practical experience from an apprenticeship program registered by U.S. Department of Labor; Master Level: Journey license plus 2 years of work experience, or master license from another jurisdiction
Application fee	$180 (prorated based on application timing within 3-year cycle; Journey level)
License fee	Included in application fee
Renewal fee	$180 every 3 years (Journey level); $240 for Master level
Renewal period	Every 3 years
Continuing education	8 hours per 3-year renewal period (at least half must be completed in-person classroom instruction)
Bond required	$5,000 minimum surety bond; the bond must give the board 10 days' written notice before cancellation (per IAC 481-431.3).
Liability insurance	$500,000 minimum public liability insurance coverage
Property damage	—
Workers' comp	Required for contractors with one or more employees; self-employed with no employees exempt
Background check	All convictions, felony or misdemeanor, must be disclosed with the complete criminal record and a statement on whether each directly relates to the profession; an applicant may first petition the board for an eligibility determination (481 IAC 429.12).
Credit requirement	None
Reciprocity	South Dakota · compare all states
Processing time	4-6 weeks for standard applications; up to 2 weeks additional for exam approval applications

What an Iowa plumber license costs

Application fee	$180 (prorated based on application timing within 3-year cycle; Journey level).
License fee	Included in application fee.
Iowa Plumbing Journeyperson Examination	$35 board exam-application fee (481 IAC 428.1(4)); the vendor's testing fee is paid directly to the vendor.
Iowa Plumbing Master Examination	$35 board exam-application fee (481 IAC 428.1(4)); the vendor's testing fee is paid directly to the vendor.
Surety bond	$5,000 minimum surety bond; the bond must give the board 10 days' written notice before cancellation (per IAC 481-431.3). A bond's premium is a percentage of the bond amount, set by the surety.
Renewal fee	$180 every 3 years (Journey level); $240 for Master level.
Renewal period	Every 3 years.

Exams

Iowa Plumbing Journeyperson Examination	Provider: Board-approved testing vendor · Passing: 75% · Fee: $35 board exam-application fee (481 IAC 428.1(4)); the vendor's testing fee is paid directly to the vendor
Iowa Plumbing Master Examination	Provider: Board-approved testing vendor · Passing: 75% · Fee: $35 board exam-application fee (481 IAC 428.1(4)); the vendor's testing fee is paid directly to the vendor

Renewing an Iowa plumber license

The Plumber License (Journey and Master Levels) renews on a fixed cycle set by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing (DIAL) - Plumbing & Mechanical Systems Board. Finish the continuing-education requirement before you file — boards generally will not process a renewal without it. Late and lapsed renewals are handled differently by every board, so check the renewal page linked below before the deadline passes.

Renewal period	Every 3 years
Renewal fee	$180 every 3 years (Journey level); $240 for Master level
Continuing education	8 hours per 3-year renewal period (at least half must be completed in-person classroom instruction)
Where to renew	Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing (DIAL) - Plumbing & Mechanical Systems Board

Local / municipal notes

Iowa has statewide licensing through DIAL; some municipalities may have additional local requirements. Plumbing & Mechanical Systems Board oversees all state-level licensing and requirements.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an Iowa plumber license cost?

Application: $180 (prorated based on application timing within 3-year cycle; Journey level). License: Included in application fee. Renewal: $180 every 3 years (Journey level); $240 for Master level.

How do I look up a plumber license in Iowa?

Search the official license database at ia-plb.my.site.com. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Do plumbers in Iowa need a surety bond?

$5,000 minimum surety bond; the bond must give the board 10 days' written notice before cancellation (per IAC 481-431.3).

What experience is required for an Iowa plumber license?

Journey Level: 4 years of practical experience from an apprenticeship program registered by U.S. Department of Labor; Master Level: Journey license plus 2 years of work experience, or master license from another jurisdiction

Is insurance required for plumbers in Iowa?

Liability: $500,000 minimum public liability insurance coverage. Workers' compensation: Required for contractors with one or more employees; self-employed with no employees exempt.

How long does it take to get an Iowa plumber license?

Processing time: 4-6 weeks for standard applications; up to 2 weeks additional for exam approval applications.

Is a background check required for plumbers in Iowa?

Background check: All convictions, felony or misdemeanor, must be disclosed with the complete criminal record and a statement on whether each directly relates to the profession; an applicant may first petition the board for an eligibility determination (481 IAC 429.12).

How often must an Iowa plumber license be renewed?

Every 3 years. Continuing education: 8 hours per 3-year renewal period (at least half must be completed in-person classroom instruction).

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