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How to get an HVAC license in Iowa

Hours, exam, fees and renewal for HVAC work in Iowa. Taken from official IA pages and checked .

Quick answer
  • Licensing body: Iowa Plumbing & Mechanical Systems Board (PMSB) — DIAL
  • State journeyman license: Yes (Statewide HVAC/Refrigeration journeyperson and master licenses, plus contractor license/registration.)
  • HVAC/Refrigeration Journeyperson: At least 18. Usual path: complete at least 4 years of practical experience in a U.S. DOL-registered apprenticeship and pass the Iowa journeyperson exam — or hold a master-level license in the same discipline from another jurisdiction.
  • Exam: see below, via Kirkwood Community College (Board-approved)
  • Code edition: Exam approval $35/discipline via Board; then Kirkwood Community College testing sites ($99/attempt to Kirkwood). Pass Iowa journeyperson exam for the discipline.

Requirements by license

HVAC/Refrigeration Journeyperson

ExperienceAt least 18. Usual path: complete at least 4 years of practical experience in a U.S. DOL-registered apprenticeship and pass the Iowa journeyperson exam — or hold a master-level license in the same discipline from another jurisdiction.Source: dial.iowa.gov · as of
ExamKirkwood Community College (Board-approved). Submit Exam Approval Application ($35) first; schedule with Kirkwood; pay exam fee to Kirkwood; then post-examination licensure application.Source: dial.iowa.gov · as of
Fees
  • Exam approval (per discipline): $35
  • Kirkwood exam attempt (current): $99
  • Journeyperson full 3-year renewal: $180
Source: dial.iowa.gov · as of · New licenses are prorated inside the Jul 1 2026 – Jun 30 2029 period.
RenewalEvery 3 years. All licenses expire June 30 of the period end year. Grace through July 31 with no late fee; $60 late in August; $100 from September (not valid to practice). Renew online preferred.Source: dial.iowa.gov · as of
CE to renew8 hours per 3 years
  • 2 hrs mechanical code
  • 4 hrs HVAC/R discipline
  • 2 hrs safety (Iowa OHS)
At least half of CEUs must be in-person; up to half may be online. Courses/instructors must be Board-pre-approved.
Source: dial.iowa.gov · as of

PMSB Contractor (HVAC/mechanical)

ExperienceContractor license is filed with PMSB together with contractor registration. Individual masters/journeypersons still need their own cards for the trade work.Source: dial.iowa.gov · as of
ExamSee individual master/journey path. Contractor license + registration are board applications; trade competency sits on the individual licenses.Source: dial.iowa.gov · as of
Fees
  • Contractor license (full period renewal): $250
  • Contractor registration (full period): $150
Source: dial.iowa.gov · as of · Submitted together ($400 combined on-time renewal). Registration fee is excluded from the 30% multi-license discount.
RenewalEvery 3 years. Same June 30 cycle and late-fee calendar as individual licenses.Source: dial.iowa.gov · as of
CE to renewCE tables on the PMSB page apply to individual master/journeyperson/specialty cards. Keep those current for the people doing the work.Source: dial.iowa.gov · as of

License types in Iowa

  • HVAC/Refrigeration Journeyperson
  • HVAC/Refrigeration Master
  • Mechanical (combined) licenses
  • Service Technician HVAC specialty
  • Contractor license + contractor registration
Source: dial.iowa.gov · as of

Reciprocity (licensed in another state?)

Board has a plumbing reciprocity agreement with South Dakota (exam-based licenses). HVAC/R path commonly uses master-from-another-jurisdiction for journey, or exam after apprenticeship — confirm HVAC-specific reciprocity with PMSB.Not confirmedSource: dial.iowa.gov · as of

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

Iowa HVAC license?

PMSB HVAC/Refrigeration journeyperson and master, plus a contractor license/registration.

Journey path?

4-year DOL-registered apprenticeship + Iowa exam (or master from another jurisdiction).

Already licensed? See Iowa HVAC license renewal & CE.

Other states

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