Iowa Plumbing License Requirements

Iowa Plumbing License

To work as a plumber in the State of Iowa a plumbing license from the Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board is required. Anyone working as a plumber in the state of Iowa is required to be licensed with the Board. The Iowa Department of Health approves all the applications for the Iowa Plumber License.

Requirements for an Iowa Plumbing License

The statutory requirements for a license as a Apprentice, journeyman or master plumber license are set by the The Iowa Department of Health - Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board.

Apprentice Plumber

"Apprentice" means any person, other than a helper, journeyperson, or master, who, as a principal occupation, is engaged in working as an employee of a plumbing, HVAC, refrigeration, or hydronic systems contractor under the supervision of either a master or a journeyman plumber and is progressing toward completion of an apprenticeship training program registered by the office of apprenticeship of the United States department of labor while learning and assisting in the design, installation, and repair of plumbing, HVAC, refrigeration, or hydronic systems, as applicable.

Apprentice Plumber Requirements:

  • Must be at least 18 years old.
  • Effective January 1, 2010 all apprentice applicants must have completed a high school education or obtained GED equivalent.
  • An applicant must have no record of felony conviction relating to the profession as determined by the board. Applicants with a felony conviction will be subject to review by the board to determine eligibility for licensure.
  • Must file an application and submit appropriate fees.
  • Must certify applicant is working under the supervision of a licensed journeyperson or master.

Applicants must be enrolled in an applicable apprentice program which is registered with the United States Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship and provide the department with the United States Department of Labor sponsorship agreement information found in the indenture agreement. This includes: Apprentice Identification Number, Apprenticeship Start Date, Sponsor Program Number, and Sponsor Name & Address.

Journeyman Plumber

"Journeyperson" means any person, other than a master, who, as a principal occupation, is engaged as an employee of, or otherwise working under the direction of, a master in the design, installation, and repair of plumbing, HVAC, refrigeration, or hydronic systems, as applicable.

Journeyman Plumber License Requirements:

  • Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
  • Applicants must have no record of felony conviction relating to the profession as determined by the board. Applicants with a felony conviction will be subject to review by the board to determine eligibility for licensure.
  • Applicants must file an application and submit appropriate fees.
  • Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

Applicants must provide the board with evidence of having completed at least four years of practical experience as an apprentice. Beginning January 1, 2010 the four year of practical experience required must be an apprenticeship training program register by the United States Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship.

All applicants must pass the state journeyperson licensing examination in the applicable discipline.

Master Plumber

"Master" means any person who works in the planning or superintending of the design, installation, or repair of plumbing, HVAC, refrigeration, or hydronic systems and is otherwise lawfully qualified to conduct the business of plumbing, HVAC, refrigeration, or hydronic systems, and who is familiar with the laws and rules governing the same.

Master Plumber License Requirements:

  • Must be at least 18 years old.
  • An applicant must have no record of felony conviction relating to the profession as determined by the board. Applicants with a felony conviction will be subject to review by the board to determine eligibility for licensure.
  • Pass the state of Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board master licensing examination for the applicable discipline
  • Must file an application and submit appropriate fees.

Apply for an Iowa Plumbing License

The examinations are being offered through Prometric. In order to be eligible to sit for an examination with Prometric, an applicant must first complete a state of Iowa Examination Candidate Application. A fee of $35.00 per examination trade test must accompany the Board application.
 

Iowa Department of Health
Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board
321 East 12th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319

Phone: (866) 280-1521
Website: http://www.idph.state.ia.us/PMSB/

Once an application is received and approved a test acceptance registration letter from the Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board Office will be issued and allow the applicant to complete registration with Prometric.

Prometric
Iowa Plumbing Program
1260 Energy Lane
St. Paul, MN 55108
(800) 341-2170
Fax: (800) 347-9242

Plumber's license fees:

It will cost $35 to apply for the license. The exam will cost either $70 or $60, depending on license category. The apprentice license is $50. The journeyperson license is $100 per trade. The master license is $250 per trade. The medical gas license is $50. All licenses are good for two years.

State Licensing and Exams

Licensing and certification requirements for plumbers are usually determined at the state level and tend to vary slightly from state to state. Often, the job of enforcing and regulating these requirements falls to individual municipalities. To check the requirements for a plumbing license in a particular state select your location on our Plumbing Licensing requirements page.

If you need more informations on passing the journeyman plumbing exams then perhaps you might want to read:
How To Do The Plumber Journeyman Exam to help you get started as an apprentice plumber or journeyman plumber.

State: 

ia