Iowa plumbing license lookup: how to check and get a license
Iowa plumbing license lookup: who issues plumber licenses (DIAL), how to check one online, the license types, and 1,089 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors by county.
Do plumbers need a license in Iowa?
| Who licenses them | Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL), Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board |
|---|---|
| License types | Master Plumber, Journeyperson Plumber, Apprentice, Contractor License, Disconnect/Reconnect Plumbing Technician (specialty) |
| When a license is required | State license required for plumbing work); contractors earning $2,000+ a year from construction must also register (Iowa Code 91C |
Iowa licenses plumbers statewide at master and journeyperson levels. Plumbing contractors must carry public liability insurance and a surety bond on file with the board (Iowa Code 105.19), and contractor licensing and registration are combined into one three-year process.
How do you look up a plumber's license in Iowa?
- Ask the plumber for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the Iowa plumbing license lookup run by DIAL.
- Search by license number first. A name search can return several people or companies with similar names.
- Check that the status is active or current, that the license type covers your job, and that the name matches the company on your contract.
- If something doesn't match, ask the plumber about it before you sign or pay a deposit, or contact DIAL.
What plumbing licenses does Iowa issue?
- Master Plumber
- Journeyperson Plumber
- Apprentice
- Contractor License
- Disconnect/Reconnect Plumbing Technician (specialty)
How do you get a plumbing license in Iowa?
Licenses are issued by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL), Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board. Requirements such as experience, exams, insurance and fees change, so read the current rules on the official DIAL source before you apply. Already licensed? List your business on Expert Helper to get matched with customers.
How many plumbers are there in Iowa?
The Census Bureau counted 1,089 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors with employees in Iowa in 2023. The counties with the most:
| Polk County | 141 |
|---|---|
| Linn County | 69 |
| Scott County | 47 |
| Woodbury County | 45 |
| Johnson County | 42 |
| Dubuque County | 40 |
| Story County | 38 |
| Black Hawk County | 31 |
What do Iowa homes mean for plumbing work?
The median home in Iowa was built in 1971, 28% of households rent and 77% of homes are single-family houses. 60% of homes heat with utility gas and 24% with electricity.
How do you choose a plumber in Iowa?
- Ask for the license number and look it up yourself on the state or city license search. Licensing is set by the state in some places and by the city or county in others.
- Ask whether the job needs a permit. Water heater swaps, gas work and moving fixtures often do, and the licensed plumber pulls it.
- Get the price in writing: a flat rate for the job, or the hourly rate, the trip fee and how parts are billed.
- For emergencies, ask what the after-hours rate is before the plumber drives out.
- Ask who does the work. A licensed master can send helpers, but the license holder is responsible for the job.
Plumbers in other states
Sources: Iowa licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.