IOWA · plumber
Journeyperson Plumber
Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board — Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL) →Scope of Work
An Iowa Journeyperson Plumber is authorized to perform plumbing work in the plumbing discipline while employed by a licensed plumbing contractor. The journeyperson license is an individual credential; the firm must hold a Plumbing Contractor license for contracting and permitting. Source: Iowa DIAL Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Licensure (https://dial.iowa.gov/licenses/building/plumbing-mechanical/plumbing-licensure).
Experience and Training
An applicant for the Iowa Journeyperson Plumber license must complete a U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship registered apprenticeship in the plumbing discipline, typically 6,400 hours (approximately 4 years) of on-the-job training under a licensed plumber plus 576 hours of related classroom instruction. Authority: Iowa Code Chapter 105 (Plumbers, Mechanical Professionals, and Contractors) and Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 641-311. Source: Iowa Code Chapter 105 (https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/ico/chapter/105.pdf).
Exam
The Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board (PMSB) contracts with Kirkwood Community College to administer the examinations. The journeyperson plumber exam covers the Iowa Plumbing Code (based on the Uniform Plumbing Code as adopted with Iowa amendments), water distribution, drain-waste-vent sizing, fixture units, backflow prevention, 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).
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 plumbing licenses are issued on a 3-year renewal cycle, with all licensees renewing on a common 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. Up to half of the hours may be completed online. PMSB does not track CE centrally; licensees must retain their own records and submit with renewal. Source: Iowa DIAL PMSB Continuing Education and Training (https://dial.iowa.gov/licenses/building/plumbing-mechanical/plumbing-licensure/pmsb-continuing-education-training).
Reciprocity
Iowa evaluates out-of-state plumber licensure against equivalent experience and examination standards. Verify current reciprocity arrangements with DIAL before filing.
Pathway to Master and Contractor
After licensure as a Journeyperson, an applicant may qualify for the Master Plumber license after additional experience and passing the Master exam. The Plumbing Contractor license requires that a Master be the qualifying licensee of record, plus evidence of insurance and bonding as required by DIAL. Source: Iowa DIAL PMSB Licensure (https://dial.iowa.gov/licenses/building/plumbing-mechanical/plumbing-licensure).