Home › Electrician license by state › Iowa

How to get an electrician license in Iowa

Hours, exam, fees, renewal and continuing education for Iowa, pulled from official IA sources and checked .

Quick answer
  • Licensing body: Iowa Electrical Examining Board (Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing)
  • State journeyman license: Yes (Iowa licenses Class A and Class B journeyman electricians statewide (Iowa Code 103.12).)
  • Journeyman Electrician (Class A): 8,000 hours of on-the-job training plus 576 classroom hours in a U.S. Department of Labor registered apprenticeship, or a board-approved post-secondary electrical program (2-year degree) plus 6,000 hours of on-the-job training. The license is issued only after you finish the program.
  • Exam: open book, via PSI
  • Code edition: The PSI exams (bulletin updated September 19, 2025) use NFPA 70, the National Electrical Code, 2023 edition.

Requirements by license

Journeyman Electrician (Class A)

Experience8,000 hours of on-the-job training plus 576 classroom hours in a U.S. Department of Labor registered apprenticeship, or a board-approved post-secondary electrical program (2-year degree) plus 6,000 hours of on-the-job training. The license is issued only after you finish the program.Source: dial.iowa.gov · as of · Iowa Code 103.12: legis.iowa.gov
ExamPSI. Open book. Journeyman exam: 80 scored questions, 180 minutes, 70% to pass. NEC 2023 references; references may be permanently tabbed only.Source: test-takers.psiexams.com · as of
Fees
  • License (full 3-year term; prorated after January): $75
  • Exam (paid to PSI): $87
Source: dial.iowa.gov · as of · Exam fee: test-takers.psiexams.com
RenewalEvery 3 years. All licenses expire on the same date every 3 years (current cycle 2026-2028). Late renewal adds 10% per month for the first 3 months (for example $82.50 in the first month); after that, apply for a new license.Source: dial.iowa.gov · as of
CE to renew18 hours per 3-year license period
  • National Electrical Code (at least 6 contact hours)
A contact hour is 50 minutes. The rest can be circuit theory, blueprint reading, motors and other board-approved electrical subjects.
Source: legis.iowa.gov · as of · Iowa Code 103.18.

Master Electrician (Class A)

ExperienceAt least 1 year as a licensed journeyman electrician.Source: legis.iowa.gov · as of · Iowa Code 103.10.
ExamPSI. Open book. Master exam: 100 scored questions, 240 minutes, 70% to pass. NEC 2023 references; references may be permanently tabbed only.Source: test-takers.psiexams.com · as of
Fees
  • License (full 3-year term; prorated after January): $375
  • Exam (paid to PSI): $87
Source: dial.iowa.gov · as of
RenewalEvery 3 years. Same 3-year cycle; late renewal adds 10% per month for the first 3 months (for example $412.50).Source: dial.iowa.gov · as of
CE to renew18 hours per 3-year license period
  • National Electrical Code (at least 6 contact hours)
Same rule as the journeyman license.
Source: legis.iowa.gov · as of · Iowa Code 103.18.

License types in Iowa

  • Journeyman Electrician (Class A or B)
  • Master Electrician (Class A or B)
  • Residential Electrician
  • Residential Master Electrician
  • Special Electrician
  • Electrical Contractor
  • Apprentice Electrician
  • Unclassified Person
Source: dial.iowa.gov · as of

Reciprocity (licensed in another state?)

Iowa has reciprocal agreements with 13 states: Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin and Wyoming. You must have passed a state exam with 70% or more, held the license for 1 year without it lapsing, and never failed the Iowa exam.Source: dial.iowa.gov · as of · Iowa Code 103.21: legis.iowa.gov

What we couldn't confirm yet

We only publish what we can tie to an official source. These items aren't published anywhere we could verify, so ask the office listed:

FAQ

Does Iowa have a state journeyman electrician license?

Yes. The Electrical Examining Board issues Class A journeyman licenses after a registered apprenticeship with 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 classroom hours.

Is the Iowa journeyman electrician exam open book?

Yes. The PSI exam uses 2023 NEC references, has 80 scored questions in 180 minutes, and needs 70% to pass.

How much does an Iowa journeyman license cost?

A full 3-year journeyman license is $75, and the PSI exam costs $87.

Does Iowa have electrician license reciprocity?

Yes, with 13 states, if you passed a state exam with 70% or more and held the license for 1 year.

Already licensed? See Iowa electrician license renewal & CE requirements.

Other states

Compare every state side by side: license requirements by state · renewal & CE by state.