IOWA · hvac
Journeyperson HVAC/Refrigeration
Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board — Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL) →Scope of Work
Iowa is one of a small number of states that licenses HVAC work at the state level. An Iowa Journeyperson HVAC/Refrigeration license authorizes the installation, service, and maintenance of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems within the discipline held, while employed by a licensed mechanical contractor. The Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board (PMSB) issues trade licenses in the plumbing, hydronic, HVAC-refrigeration, sheet metal, and mechanical disciplines. Source: Iowa DIAL PMSB Licensure (https://dial.iowa.gov/licenses/building/plumbing-mechanical/plumbing-licensure).
Experience and Training
An applicant for the Journeyperson HVAC/Refrigeration license must complete a U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship registered apprenticeship in the HVAC-refrigeration discipline. Program length is typically 4 years of on-the-job training under a licensed HVAC contractor plus related classroom instruction in refrigeration theory, load calculations, controls, air distribution, and applicable codes. Authority: Iowa Code Chapter 105 and Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 641-311. Source: Iowa Code Chapter 105 (https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/ico/chapter/105.pdf).
Exam
PMSB contracts with Kirkwood Community College to administer the examinations. The journeyperson HVAC/refrigeration exam covers the Iowa Mechanical Code, refrigeration theory and safety (including ASHRAE 15 and ANSI/NFPA standards referenced by Iowa), load calculations, venting, and Iowa statutes and rules. A passing score is required before the license is issued. Source: Iowa DIAL PMSB Licensure (https://dial.iowa.gov/licenses/building/plumbing-mechanical/plumbing-licensure).
EPA Section 608
Separate from the Iowa journeyperson license, technicians who service, maintain, or dispose of equipment containing regulated refrigerants must hold current EPA Section 608 certification under 40 CFR Part 82 Subpart F. EPA Section 608 is a federal requirement that applies in Iowa regardless of state licensing status. Source: EPA Section 608 Technician Certification (https://www.epa.gov/section608).
Military Crosswalk
Iowa Code Chapter 272C provides licensure credit for qualifying military-trained applicants. Applicants submit DD-214 plus training transcripts with the DIAL application; PMSB evaluates equivalence against the journeyperson standards.
Renewal and Continuing Education
Iowa mechanical licenses are issued on a 3-year renewal cycle on a common board schedule. PMSB requires at least 8 hours of classroom instruction per 3-year cycle for a single-discipline license, distributed as 2 hours safety, 2 hours code, and 4 hours in the current discipline. Licensees holding two mechanical licenses that have not been combined (for example, HVAC and sheet metal) must complete 14 hours of CE per cycle. Up to half of the required hours may be completed online. PMSB does not track CE centrally; licensees must retain their own records. Source: Iowa DIAL PMSB Continuing Education and Training (https://dial.iowa.gov/licenses/building/plumbing-mechanical/plumbing-licensure/pmsb-continuing-education-training).
Pathway to Master and Contractor
After licensure as a Journeyperson, the licensee may qualify for the Master HVAC/Refrigeration license with additional experience and the Master exam. An HVAC Contractor license requires a Master of record, insurance, and bonding as required by DIAL. Source: Iowa DIAL PMSB Licensure (https://dial.iowa.gov/licenses/building/plumbing-mechanical/plumbing-licensure).