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Plumber
Total cost: $359
Governing Authority
Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board (under DIAL — Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing)
Official website →Yes
State Licensed?
8,000
Apprentice Hours
3
License Levels
$359
Total Fees
8 hrs
CE Hours
International Plumbing Code (IPC) with Iowa amendments (481 IAC Chapter 425)
Code Version
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Get the Roadmap — $20Apprentice Registration Fee
$25
Apprentice registration fee
Journeyman License Fee
$180
Journeyperson license fee (3-year)
Master Plumber License Fee
$240
Master plumber license fee (3-year)
Exam Fee
$144
Exam fee; plus $35 exam approval application fee per trade discipline
Renewal Fee
$180 (journeyperson) / $240 (master)
Triennial renewal; licenses expire June 30 every 3 years
Regulation Status
VerifiedState Licensed
Yes
Regulation Level
state
License Types Available
State-Level Licensing Required
Regulated by the Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board (under DIAL — Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing)
Apprenticeship Program
8,000
Total Hours
4 yrs
Duration
576
Classroom Hours
7,424
OJT Hours
Registered Apprenticeship Program Required
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Experience Required
Registration required; no prior experience
No exam required
Additional Requirements
Experience Required
Must have completed apprenticeship or equivalent (8,000 hours typical)
Exam required
Additional Requirements
Experience Required
Must hold journeyperson license with 2 years of work experience at journey level, OR hold a master license in another jurisdiction
Exam required
Additional Requirements
Exam Information
VerifiedJourneyman Exam
RequiredMaster Exam
RequiredExam Provider
PSI
Plumbing Code Version
International Plumbing Code (IPC) with Iowa amendments (481 IAC Chapter 425)
Open Book Exam
Passing Score
75%
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Overall licensing difficulty: 26/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
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Minimum Age
Education
Background Check
Insurance Required
Bonding Required
Not sure if you need a plumber license? Check whether your state requires one.
Iowa has 32% above average — nationally the ratio is 1 per 746 residents.
Iowa is one of the most saturated plumbers markets in the country.
Iowa ranks #5 out of 51 states by plumbers per capita.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Apprentice Registration Apprentice registration fee | $25 |
Journeyman License Journeyperson license fee (3-year) | $180 |
Master License Master plumber license fee (3-year) | $240 |
Exam Fee Exam fee; plus $35 exam approval application fee per trade discipline | $144 |
Renewal Fee Triennial renewal; licenses expire June 30 every 3 years | $180 (journeyperson) / $240 (master) |
Total Initial Fees Journeyperson: exam approval ($35) + exam ($144) + license ($180) = $359; Master: $35 + $144 + $240 = $419 | $359 |
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Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified3 years
Renewal Period
8
CE Hours Required
$180 (journeyperson) / $240 (master)
Renewal Fee
Continuing Education Required
Regulatory Board
Triennial; expires June 30 every 3 years (2023, 2026, 2029)
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Licenses
Transfer Type
Endorsement
Additional Requirements for Transfer
Most states require plumbers to pass the local exam or apply for endorsement when transferring an out-of-state license. Requirements vary by state.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Iowa with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Iowa's plumbing board moved from DPH to DIAL; uses 'Journeyperson' terminology; has reciprocity with South Dakota only; offers a 30% multi-license discount; and requires a 75% exam passing score (higher than most states).
Iowa's governing body changed from Department of Public Health to DIAL (Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing)
Uses term 'Journeyperson' not 'Journeyman'
Reciprocity agreement with South Dakota ONLY (approved May 2016) — no other states
30% multi-license discount when applying for multiple licenses on the same day for the same person
CE: 8 hours every 3 years; only half may be completed online
Triennial renewal — licenses expire June 30 every 3 years
Exam passing score: 75% (higher than most states' 70%)
Uses IPC with Iowa amendments (481 IAC Chapter 425)
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Official Sources
Plumber requirements in Iowa verified against Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board (under DIAL — Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing), April 2026.
Official regulatory agency — updated from idph.iowa.gov to dial.iowa.gov
Accessed 2026-03-24
Accessed 2026-03-06
Accessed 2026-03-06