How to get a hvac contractor license in Iowa
Iowa hvac contractor licensing covers hours, prerequisites, exam path, fees, and renewal. Confirm current rules on the board source before you apply.
Verified on: 2026-09-14 · Board source
From the board
- ## 1 PLUMBERS, MECHANICAL PROFESSIONALS, AND CONTRACTORS, §105.18 105.18 Qualifications and types of licenses issued.
- The board shall adopt, by rule, general qualifications for licensure.
- References may be required as part of the licensing process.
- Plumbing, mechanical, HVAC-refrigeration, sheet metal, and hydronic licenses and contractor licenses.
- The board shall issue master licenses for plumbing, mechanical, HVAC-refrigeration, and hydronic professionals.
- Board page: 105.18 Qualifications and types of licenses issued. 1. General qualifications. The board shall adopt, by rule, general qualifications for licensure. References may be required as part of the licensing process. 2. Plumbing, mechanical, HVAC-refrigeration, sheet metal, and hydronic licenses and contractor licenses. The board shall issue master licenses for plumbing, mechanical, HVAC-refrigeration, and hydronic professionals. The board shall issue journeyperson licenses for plumbing, mechanical, HVAC-refrigeration, sheet metal, and hydronic professionals. A plumbing license shall allow an individual to perform work defined as plumbing. A mechanical license shall allow an individual to perform work defined as HVAC, refrigeration, sheet metal, and hydronic. An HVAC-refrigeration license shall allow an individual to perform work defined as HVAC and refrigeration. A hydronic license shall allow an individual to perform work defined as hydronic. A sheet metal license shall allow an individual to perform work defined as sheet metal. The board shall issue the separate licenses as follows: a. Apprentice license. In order to be licensed by the board as an apprentice, a person shall do all of the following: (1) File an application, which application shall establish that the person meets the minimum requirements adopted by the board. (2) Certify that the person will work under the supervision of a licensed journeyperson or master in the applicable discipline. (3) Be enrolled in an applicable apprentice program which is registered with the United States department of labor office of apprenticeship. b. Journeyperson license. (1) In order to be licensed by the board as a journeyperson in the applicable discipline, a person shall do all of the following: (a) File an application and pay application fees as established by the board, which application shall establish that the person meets the minimum educational and experience requirements adopted by the board. (b) Pass the state journeyperson licensing examination in the applicable discipline. (c) Provide the board with evidence of having completed at least four years of practical experience as an apprentice. Commencing January 1, 2010, the four years of practical experience required by this subparagraph division must be an apprenticeship training program registered by the United States department of labor office of apprenticeship. (2) A person may simultaneously hold an active journeyperson license and an inactive master license. (3) An individual who has passed both the journeyperson HVAC-refrigeration examination and the journeyperson hydronic examination separately shall be qualified to be issued a journeyperson mechanical license without having to pass the journeyperson mechanical examination. c. Master license. (1) In order to be licensed by the board as a master, a person shall do all of the following: (a) File an application and pay application fees as established by the board, which application shall establish that the person meets the minimum educational and experience requirements adopted by the board. (b) Pass the state master licensing examination for the applicable discipline. (c) Provide evidence to the board that the person has previously been a licensed journeyperson or master in the applicable discipline. (2) An individual who has passed both the master HVAC-refrigeration examination and the master hydronic examination separately shall be qualified to be issued a master mechanical license without having to pass the master mechanical examination. d. Contractor license. In order to be licensed by the board as a contractor, a person shall do all of the following: (1) File an application and pay application fees as established by the board and establish that the person meets the minimum requirements adopted by the board. Through June 30, 2017, the application shall include the person’s state contractor registration number. After
Requirements overview
- Iowa sets experience, education, and exam rules for hvac contractor applicants
- Documented OJT or apprenticeship hours are common for journeyman / technician paths
- Master and contractor tracks usually add experience, exams, and firm paperwork
- Confirm current hour totals, affidavits, and fees on the state board before you apply
Exam
- See the Iowa hvac exam guide for vendor, scheduling, and prep
- LicenseFlo helps with paperwork and reminders — we do not sit the exam
Renewals
- Most credentials renew on a fixed cycle with mandatory CE or training
- Roster watch → intake → assemble → sign → submit
Related: Exam · Renewal and CE
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