Iowa plumber license & renewal
The requirements, the timing and the official sources. Everything we’ve verified, in one place.
License fee
—
Not verified yet
Required hours
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Not verified yet
Exam
Pass the applicable Iowa master licensing examination.
Renewal
Your license expires after Jun. 30, year three in the licensing period.
Before you begin
Agency guidance
Full on-time renewal fees: journeyperson $180; master $240; contractor license $250 plus $150 contractor registration. New licenses are prorated.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Journeyperson | $180.00 ... Master | $240.00 ... Contractor License ... $250.00 ... Contractor Registration ... $150.00 ... Fees are prorated based on when you apply for a new license.Official source
Agency guidance
Renew/update instructions: https://dial.iowa.gov/licenses/building/plumbing-mechanical/plumbing-licensure/how-do-i-renew-update
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Renew or Update a Plumbing & Mechanical Systems LicenseOfficial source
Agency guidance
Contractors must hold or employ an appropriately licensed master of record.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
An applicant must provide the board with evidence that the applicant holds an active master license or employs at least one person who holds an active master license issued under Iowa Code chapter 105 for each discipline in which the applicant performs chapter 105-covered work.Official source
Agency guidance
Master exam candidates pay the testing provider $95 per examination attempt.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
You will pay an examination fee directly to Kirkwood for each examination attempt (current fee is $95).Official source
Agency guidance
Examination approval application fee: $35 per exam.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Exam Approval Application (per exam) | $35.00Official source
How to get this license
Use the agency’s requirements below to plan your next steps. Missing details stay marked.
Start with the licensing authority
Licensing board
Plumbing & Mechanical Systems Board, Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Plumbing & Mechanical Systems Board ... Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing
Official sourceOfficial agency page
Check the qualifications
Experience
Master exam eligibility: journeyperson license plus two years of work, or a master license from another jurisdiction.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
To be eligible to sit for the exam, you must have either 1) a master license in another jurisdiction; or 2) a journeyperson license with two years of work experience.
Official sourceEducation
Journeyperson route: completed four-year apprenticeship; programs after 2010 must be registered with the U.S. Department of Labor.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
at least four years of practical experience as an apprentice. Beginning January 1, 2010, the four years of practical experience required must be from an apprenticeship training program registered by the United States Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship.
Official sourceBond
Contractor: $5,000 surety bond.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
a surety bond issued by an entity licensed to do business in this state in a minimum amount of $5,000
Official sourceInsurance
Contractor: at least $500,000 liability insurance.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
a public liability insurance policy issued by an entity licensed to do business in Iowa with a minimum coverage amount of $500,000
Official sourceExam
Pass the applicable Iowa master licensing examination.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Pass the state of Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board master licensing examination for the applicable discipline.
Official sourceReview fees and apply
Application fee
Not verified yet
Exam fee
Not verified yet
License fee
Not verified yet
Apply with the agency
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
complete a post-examination licensure application
Official source
Reciprocity
Journeyperson/master plumbing reciprocity with South Dakota requires a license obtained by written exam, a license copy and good-standing verification; applicant must have a non-Iowa address.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
obtained a South Dakota plumbing license on the basis of written examination ... applies only to the journeyperson, and master plumbing license requirements ... include a copy of your South Dakota license and a certificate of good standing/license verification ... must also have a non-Iowa resident addressOfficial source
Official sources and verification (19)
Last verified 2026-10-24. Each quotation supports the corresponding published value.
Plumbing & Mechanical Systems Board ... Department of Inspections, Appeals, & LicensingOfficial source
Verified 2026-10-24
To be eligible to sit for the exam, you must have either 1) a master license in another jurisdiction; or 2) a journeyperson license with two years of work experience.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
at least four years of practical experience as an apprentice. Beginning January 1, 2010, the four years of practical experience required must be from an apprenticeship training program registered by the United States Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
a surety bond issued by an entity licensed to do business in this state in a minimum amount of $5,000Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
a public liability insurance policy issued by an entity licensed to do business in Iowa with a minimum coverage amount of $500,000Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Pass the state of Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board master licensing examination for the applicable discipline.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
All Plumbing & Mechanical Systems licenses are on a 3-year license period.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Your license expires after Jun. 30, year three in the licensing period.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
2 hours, Plumbing code ... 4 hours, Plumbing discipline ... 2 hours, Safety (Iowa Occupational Health & Safety) ... At least half of your CEU hours must be in-person.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Journeyperson | $180.00 ... Master | $240.00 ... Contractor License ... $250.00 ... Contractor Registration ... $150.00 ... Fees are prorated based on when you apply for a new license.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Renew or Update a Plumbing & Mechanical Systems LicenseOfficial source
Verified 2026-10-24
An applicant must provide the board with evidence that the applicant holds an active master license or employs at least one person who holds an active master license issued under Iowa Code chapter 105 for each discipline in which the applicant performs chapter 105-covered work.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
You will pay an examination fee directly to Kirkwood for each examination attempt (current fee is $95).Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
obtained a South Dakota plumbing license on the basis of written examination ... applies only to the journeyperson, and master plumbing license requirements ... include a copy of your South Dakota license and a certificate of good standing/license verification ... must also have a non-Iowa resident addressOfficial source
Verified 2026-10-24
Keep exploring.
Same license in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Last verified 2026-10-24.
Official sources (7)
- https://dial.iowa.gov/licenses/building/plumbing-mechanical/plumbing-licensure/licensing-period-fees
- https://dial.iowa.gov/pmsb-licensure
- https://dial.iowa.gov/licenses/building/plumbing-mechanical/plumbing-licensure/post
- https://dial.iowa.gov/licenses/building/plumbing-mechanical/plumbing-licensure/master-license
- https://dial.iowa.gov/licenses/building/plumbing-mechanical/plumbing-licensure/contractor-license
- https://dial.iowa.gov/licenses/building/plumbing-mechanical/plumbing-licensure/pmsb-continuing-education-training
- https://dial.iowa.gov/licenses/building/plumbing-mechanical/plumbing-licensure/how-do-i-renew-update
Not legal or tax advice. Confirm with the official agency before filing.