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Construction Work Regulated?

Who Regulates Construction?

Requirements?

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Construction Work Regulated?

Iowa law requires all individual contractors and businesses performing "construction" work within Iowa to be registered with the Iowa Division of Labor, if they earn at least $2,000.00 a year from that work. Individuals or businesses making less than $2,000.00 a year on "construction" work, or who work only on their own real estate or property, are not required to register.

New construction, additions, alterations, demolition, installations, reconstruction or repair of structures require state registration. All work performed for the state, its boards, commissions, agencies, departments and its political subdivisions, including school districts and other special purpose districts require registration. Individual cities and counties may have additional requirements and require registration in order to pull permits.

Who Regulates Construction?

Contractor registration information may be obtained from:

Iowa Division of Labor/Contractor Registration
1000 East Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50319-0209
(515) 242-5871/Fax (515) 725-2427
E-Mail: [email protected]
https://www.iowacontractor.gov

Electrical licensing information may be obtained from:

Iowa Department of Public Safety
Electrical Bureau
215 East 7th Street
Oran Pape Building
Des Moines, IA 50319-0047
(515) 725-6147
http://iowaelectrical.gov

Explosive licensing of firms or individual blasters, alarm system contractors and installers certification, as well as fire extinguishing system contractors and fire protection system installers and maintenance workers information may be obtained from:

Iowa State Fire Marshal's Office
214 East Seventh Street
Des Moines, IA 50319
(515) 725-6178/Fax (515) 725-6172
E-Mail: [email protected]
https://www.dps.state.ia.us/fm/building/Iicensing/licenseindex.shtmI
Online License Management: http://iowa.imagetrendlicense.com/

Plumbers and Mechanical Professionals and Contractors licensing information may be obtained from:

Iowa Department of Public Health
Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board
321 East 12th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319-0075
Toll Free (866) 280-1521
http://idph.iowa.gov/pmsb

Requirements?

Registration:
Print and complete the New Application/Renewal Form. The form cannot
be completed without an Iowa Unemployment Insurance account number (www.
myiowaui.org) and appropriate federal identification or social security numbers. Mail
the completed form with all required attachments to the Iowa Division of Labor -
Contractor Registration. If the application is complete, processing may take up to 30
days.

While all contractors must register, some contractors register without paying the
$50 fee. A self-employed contractor who does not pay more than $2,000 annually
to employ other people in the business, and who does not work with or for other
contractors in the same phase of construction at a job site, qualifies to register at
no charge. If you meet the conditions, complete the Fee Exemption Form, have it
notarized, and send it instead of payment with the registration application.

Public Portal:
Contractors may now renew and upload the required documents online
for contractor registration at https://contractor.iowa.gov.

Workers' Compensation Insurance:
A contractor with one or more employees must
send a Certificate of Insurance from the workers' compensation insurance company
showing the effective date of coverage and listing the Iowa Division of Labor as the
certificate holder or a copy of a Certificate of Relief issued by the Iowa Insurance
Division, if self-insured.

Out-of-State Contractors:
If a contractor's principal place of business is located
outside of Iowa, the contractor must file a $25,000 surety bond to register as well
as fil l out an Out-of-State Contractor Bond Form. The contractor must file a bond
with original signatures and original surety company seal when applying for the
construction contractor registration number. The contractors bond must be executed
by a surety company licensed to do business in Iowa, and it must be issued on the bond form provided by the Iowa Division of Labor. Having a branch office in Iowa does not necessarily qualify as an in-state contractor if the contractor's business is primarily based outside of Iowa.

Electricians:
If applicants perform electrical contracting or are self-employed in the
State of Iowa, they must be licensed as an Electrical Contractor or Residential Electrical
Contractor.

An Electrical Contractor license may be issued to a person who submits to the board
the required application with the applicable fee, who holds or employs a person who
holds an active Master Electrician license, who is registered as a contractor with the
Labor Services Division of Iowa Workforce Development.

A class A Master Electrician license may be issued to a person who submits to the
Board a completed application with the applicable fee, who is not disqualified from
holding a license pursuant to rule 661-502.4(103), and who meets 1 of the following
requirements:

a. Has completed 1 year of experience as a licensed Journeyman Electrician, and
has passed a supervised written examination for Master Electrician approved by
the Board with a score of 75 or higher; or

b. As of December 31, 2007, held a current valid license as a Master Electrician
issued by a political subdivision in Iowa, the issuance of which required
passing a supervised written examination approved by the Board, and 1 year of
experience as a Journeyman Electrician; or

c. Holds a current class B Master Electrician license and has passed a supervised
written examination for Master Electrician approved by the Board with a score
of 75 or higher.

A class B Master Electrician license may be issued to a person who submits to the
Board a completed application with the applicable fee, who is not disqualified from
holding a license pursuant to rule 661-502.4(103), who presents crediqle evidence
of having worked for a total of 8 years (16,000 hours of cumulative experience) as a
Master Electrician since 1998, and whose experience as a Master Electrician began on
or before January 1, 1998.

A class A Journeyman Electrician license may be issued to a person who submits to
the Board a completed application with the applicable fee, who is not disqualified from holding a license pursuant to rule 661-502.4(103), and who meets 1 of the following requirements:

a. Has successfully completed a registered apprenticeship program, has passed
a supervised written examination for Journeyman Electrician approved by the
Board with a score of 75 or higher, and has completed 4 years of experience as
an Apprentice Electrician; or

b. As of December 31, 2007, held a current valid license as a Journeyman
Electrician issued by a political subdivision in Iowa, the issuance of which
required passing a supervised written examination approved by the Board, and
has completed a registered apprenticeship program and 4 years of experience
as an Apprentice Electrician; or

c. Holds a current class B Journeyman Electrician license and has passed a
supervised written examination for Journeyman Electrician approved by the
Board with a score of 75 or higher.

Exception: An electrician currently licensed in another state may satisfy the
sponsorship requirements for testing for a Journeyman class A license by providing
evidence of all of the following:

d. Current licensure as a Journeyman or Master Electrician from another state
which required passing a test sponsored by that state.

e. Completion of 18 hours of continuing education units approved by the Board.

f. Completion of 1,000 hours of work in Iowa as an unclassified person.

g. Holds a current license issued by the Board, excluding a Special Electrician
license other than Special Residential Electrician license; has passed a
supervised written examination for Journeyman Electrician approved by the
Board with a score of 75 or higher; has completed 54 hours of continuing
education approved by the Board; and has completed 16,000 hours of electrical
work while licensed by the Board, except as a Special Electrician other than a
Special Residential Electrician, as verified by a Master Electrician licensed by
the Board. The 16,000 hours must include a minimum number of hours of work
on commercial or industrial installations in the categories indicated; 500 hours
of preliminary work, 2,000 hours of rough-in work, 2,000 hours of finish work,
2,000 hours of lighting and service work, 500 hours of troubleshooting and 500
hours of motor control work. At least 4,000 hours of the 16,000 hours must
have been completed by the applicant within the 5 years immediately preceding
the submission date of the application.

Exception:
On or before December 31, 2019, a maximum of 10,000 of the required
16,000 hours of verified work experience may have been completed between January
1, 2000, and December 31, 2007, without licensure from the Board or from any political
subdivision.

h. Holds a current license issued by the Board as a Residential Electrician or
Residential Master Electrician, has passed a supervised written examination
for Journeyman Electrician approved by the Board with a score of 75 or higher,
and has completed 4,000 hours of work on commercial or industrial electrical
installations while licensed by the Board, as verified by a Master Electrician
licensed by the board. The 4,000 hours must include the following minimum
numbers of hours in the categories indicated: 100 hours of preliminary work,
500 hours of rough-in work, 500 hours of finish work, 500 hours of lighting
and service work, 100 hours of troubleshooting, and 100 hours of motor control
work.

i. Holds a current license issued by the Board, has satisfactorily completed an
approved postsecondary electrical education program, has passed a supervised
written examination for Journeyman Electrician approved by the Board with a
score of 75 or higher, and, subsequent to beginning the postsecondary electrical
education program, has completed at least 6,000 hours of electrical work while
licensed by the Board, as verified by a Master Electrician licensed by the Board.

A class B Journeyman Electrician license may be issued to a person who submits to
the Board a completed application with the applicable fee, who is not disqualified from holding a license pursuant to rule 661-502.4(103), who presents credible evidence of having worked for a total of eight years IAC 10/19/11 Public Safety [661] Ch 502, p.3 (16,000 hours of cumulative experience) as a Journeyman Electrician or Master Electrician since 1998 and whose experience as a Journeyman Electrician or Master Electrician began on or before January 1, 1998.

Residential Electrical Work:
Electrical work in a residence in which no more than 4
living units within the same building and includes work to connect and work within
accessory structures, which are structures no greater than 3,000 square feet in floor
area, not more than 2 stories in height, the use of which is incidental to the use of the dwelling unit or units, and located on the same lot as the dwelling unit or units.

Residential Electrical Contractor:
A Residential Electrical Contractor license may be
issued to a person who is licensed as a class B Master Electrician, or Residential Master Electrician and who is registered with the state of Iowa as a contractor pursuant to Iowa Code chapter 91C.

Residential Master:
A Residential Master Electrician license may be issued to a person
who submits to the Board a completed application with the applicable fee, who is not
disqualified from holding a license pursuant to rule 661-502.4(103), and who meets 1
of the following requirements:

a. Holds a current Residential Electrician or Journeyman Electrician license, has
2,000 hours of verified experience as a Residential or Journeyman Electrician
and has passed a Residential Master Electrician examination approved by the
Board; or

b. Holds a current special electrician license with a residential endorsement, has
4,000 hours of verified experience, and has passed a Residential Master
Electrician examination approved by the Board.
Residential Electrician: A Residential Electrician License may be issued to a person
who submits to the Board a completed application fee, who is not disqualified from
holding a license pursuant to rule 661-502. 4(103), and who meets 1 of the fallowing
requirements.

a. Holds a current Residential Special Electrician license and has held that license
for a minimum of 1 year and has passed residential electrician examination
approved by the Board; or

b. Has completed 6,000 hours of experience as an Apprentice Electrician and
has passed a residential electrician examination approved by the Board. An
applicant may take the examination required by the paragraph after completing
5,000 hours of experience as an Apprentice Electrician, although the license will
not be issued until the applicant has completed 6,000 hours of such experience;
or

c. Has completed 4,000 hours of experience working under the direct supervision
of a Residential Master Electrician, a Residential Electrician, a Master
Electrician, or a Journeyman Electrician; has successfully completed a minimum
of 1 academic year of electrical trade school; and has passed a residential
electrician examination approved by the Board; or

d. Has completed 8,000 hours of verified work experience as a licensed
unclassified person and at least 2,000 hours of verified work experience in
residential wiring and has passed a residential electrician examination approved
by the Board; or

e. Has successfully completed a Residential Electrician Apprenticeship program
approved by the United States Department of Labor and passed a residential
electrician examination approved by the Board.

Special Electrician:
Chapter 103 of the Iowa Code defines Special Electrician as "a
person having the necessary qualifications, training, and experience in wiring or
installing special classes of electrical wiring, apparatus, equipment, or installations
which shall include irrigation system wiring, disconnecting and reconnecting of existing
air conditioning and refrigeration, and sign installation and who is licensed by the
Board."

The Electrical Examining Board has created 4 special endorsements that authorize the
licensee to engage in a limited class of work specified on the license. All work done
by such licensee is subject to inspection as required in Chapter 103.23. A person who
holds such license is not required to obtain an electrical contractor license in order to
apply for an electrical perm it to install electrical work within the limitations of their
license; however, such person must be registered with the state of Iowa as a contractor
pursuant to chapter 91C and maintain $1,000,000 contractor liability insurance. These
4 endorsements are:

a. Irrigation System Wiring:
This endorsement authorizes the installer of centerpivot
type irrigation systems to service and install all wiring from the electrical
service to the irrigation equipment. The electrical service must be installed
by an electrical contractor. To qualify, the applicant must have either passed
a supervised examination approved by the Electrical Examining Board or have
completed 2 years, or 4,000 hours, of documented experience in the wiring of
irrigation systems.

b. Sign Installer:
This endorsement authorizes the licensee to connect power
to a sign as long as the voltage does not exceed 220 volts and the amperage
does not exceed 20 amperes. Any new or upgraded branch circuit installation
supplying power to the sign shall be done by an electrical contractor.

c. Disconnecting and Reconnecting Existing Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
Systems:
This endorsement authorizes the licensee to disconnect and reconnect
any existing air conditioning or refrigeration system. Any new or upgraded
branch circuits for such equipment must be installed by an electrical contractor.
To qualify, the applicant must either have passed a supervised examination
approved by the Electrical Examining Board or have completed 2 years of
documented experience in the disconnecting and reconnecting of existing air
conditioning and refrigeration systems.

An individual who holds any of the following licenses issued by the Plumbing and
Mechanical Systems Board established pursuant to Iowa Code section 105.3 is not
required to hold a license issued by the Electrical Examining Board in order to perform disconnection and reconnection of existing air conditioning and refrigeration systems:

1. Master HVAC Refrigeration

2. Journeyperson HVAC Refrigeration

3. Master Mechanical

4. Journeyperson Mechanical

Electrical fees are as follows:

license Type / Term / Fee
Journeyman Electrician Class A / 3 years / $75
Journeyman Electrician Class B / 3 years / $75
Residential Electrician / 3 years / $75
Special Electrician / 3 years / $75
Apprentice Electrician / 1 year / $20
Unclassified Person / 1 year / $20
Inactive Master Electrician / 3 years / $75
Electrical Contractor / 3 years / $375
Residential Electrical Contractor / 3 years / $375
Master Electrician Class A / 3 years / $375
Master Electrician Class B / 3 years / $375
Residential Master Electrician / 3 years / $375

Alarm System Contractors:
Responsible Managing Employee (RME) applicants must
apply for certification. Certification is valid for 3 years and shall expire on September
30th of the third year after the certification has been issued. The contractor shall
maintain current registration as a contractor with Labor Services Division of the Iowa
Workforce Development Department in compliance with Iowa Code chapter 91C and
875. The contractor shall maintain general and complete operations liability insurance for the layout, installation, repair, alteration, addition, maintenance and inspection of automatic alarm systems in the following amounts: $500,000 per person, $1,000,000 per occurrence, and $1,000,000 property damage. The certification fee for Alarm System Contractors shall be $300 for 3 years. There shall be an additional fee of $50 for each responsible managing employee beyond the first. If an application for certification provides for more than 1 endorsement there shall be an additional fee of $50 for each endorsement beyond the first. If an application is denied, all except $100 of the fee may be refunded if the applicant applies to the Fire Marshal for a refund. No refund of the certification fee shaII be made if the certification is revoked or if the denial of the certification is based on the applicant's knowledge of including false or misleading information on the application. The fee for issuance of an amended certification is $100. Alarm System Contractors applying for license shall meet the following requirements:

a. Shall designate at least 1 responsible managing employee CRME).

b. The contractor shall maintain current registration as a contractor with
labor services division of the Iowa Workforce Development Department in
compliance with Iowa Code chapter 91C and 875.

In addition to the insurance requirements listed above, a Responsible Managing
Employee (RME) shall report to the State Fire Marshal when no longer acting as an
RME under Iowa Administrative Rules 661-277.3(3).

Certification requirements for an RME include meeting 1 of the following requirements:

a. Current licensure as a professional engineer by the Iowa engineering and land
surveying examining board, with competence in alarm system design;

b. For fire alarm system endorsement, current NICET level 111 or: higher as a fire
alarm systems technician or ESA level Ill certified fire alarm designer;

c. For nurse call system endorsement, current certification by a nurse call system
manufacturer or NICET level II or higher in fire alarm systems or audio systems
or ESA level II certified alarm technician;

d. For security alarm system endorsement, current certification by ESA as a
certified alarm technician (level II) or higher, or NICET level II or higher in fire
alarm systems;

e. Fire alarm system maintenance inspection endorsement, current certification
by ESA as a certified alarm technician (level II), or NICET level II certification in
inspection and testing of fire alarm systems;

f. For dwelling unit alarm system endorsement, current certification by ESA as
a certified alarm technician (level I) or higher, or NICET level I certification or
higher in fire alarm systems;

g. For any endorsement, completion of any third-party training or certification
approved by the fire marshal, as provided in subrule 277.3(5), for that
endorsement.

Alarm System Installers: The alarm system installer shall meet 1 of the following
requirements:

a. Current licensure as a professional engineer by the Iowa engineering and land
surveying examining board, with competence in alarm system design;
b. For fire alarm system endorsement, current certification by NICET at level II or
higher in fire alarm systems or current certification by ESA as a certified alarm
technician (level II) and 2 years of related work experience;

c. For nurse call system endorsement, current certification by a nurse call system
manufacturer, documented training by the certified nurse call contractor
employer, current NICET level I certification or higher in fire alarm systems or
audio systems, completed certification by ESA as a certified alarm technician
(level I) or higher, or current licensure as a master electrician or journeyman
electrician by the Electrical Examining Board, pursuant to Iowa Code
Supplement chapter 103;

d. For security alarm system endorsement, completed certification by ESA as a
certified alarm technician (level I) or higher, or current NICET level I certification
or higher in fire alarm systems or audio systems Elite CEU Alarm level II;

e. For alarm system component installer endorsement, completed certification
by ESA as a certified alarm technician (level I) or higher, current NICET level
I certification or higher in fire alarm systems or audio systems, or current
licensure as a master electrician or journeyman electrician by the Electrical
Examining Board, pursuant to Iowa Code Supplement chapter 103;

f. For alarm system maintenance inspection endorsement, completed certification
by ESA as a certified alarm technician (level I) or higher, or current NICET level
I certification or higher in fire alarm systems or audio systems or NICET level II
inspection and testing of fire alarm systems;

g. For dwelling unit alarm system endorsement, completed certification by
ESA as a certified alarm technician (level I) or higher, or current NICET level
I certification or higher in fire alarm systems or audio systems, or current
licensure as a master electrician or journeyman electrician by the Electrical
Examining Board, pursuant to Iowa Code Supplement chapter 103 Elite CEU
Alarm level I; or

h. For alarm system installer assistant endorsement, submission of a completed
application no later than the first day of employment. An alarm system installer
assistant may perform work which requires certification under Chapter 277 only
under the direct supervision of an alarm system installer whose certification
contains one or more endorsements as provided in subrule 277.6(1), paragraphs
"a" through "f", and that work must be within the scope of work authorized by
the endorsements held by the supervising installer.

The certification fee for an alarm system installer shall be $150 for 3 years and the
certification fee for endorsement as an alarm system installer assistant shall be $50 for 1 year. There shall be an additional fee of $25 for each endorsement beyond the first. If an application is denied, all except $50 of the fee may be refL11ded if the applicant applies to the fire marshal for a refund . No refund of the certification fee shall be made if the certification is revoked or if the denial of the certification is based on the applicant's knowledge of including false or misleading information on the application. Amended certification fee is $50.

An applicant for certification as an alarm system contractor or an alarm system
installer shall be subject to a national criminal history check through the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The applicant shall provide fingerprints to the Department of Public Safety at the time of application or renewal for submission through the state criminal history repository to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Fees for the national criminal history check shall be paid by the applicant or the applicant's employer. Fingerprints must also be provided at the time of the application renewal. The fee for the criminal history check is $35. The results of a criminal history check conducted pursuant to this subsection shall be considered a confidential record under chapter 22.

Fire Extinguisher Contractor:
Certification is valid for 1 year and shall expire every
March 31st. The fee for licensure is $500. The contractor shall maintain the general
and complete operations liability insurance for the layout installation, repair, alteration, addition, maintenance, and inspection of automatic fire extinguishing systems in the following amoll1ts: $500,000 per person, $1,000,000 per occurrence, and $1,000,000 property damage. If an application for contractor provides for more than 1 responsible managing employee (RME), there shall be an additional fee of $50 for each responsible managing employee beyond the first. If an application is denied, all except $100 of the fee may be refunded if the applicant applies to the fire marshal for a refund. Fire extinguishing contractors applying for license shall meet the following requirements:

a. Shall designate at least 1 responsible managing employee (RME).

b. The contractor shall maintain current registration as a contractor with
Labor Services Division of the Iowa Workforce Development Department in
compliance with Iowa Code chapter 91C and 875.

Fire Protection System Installer and Maintenance Worker:
License shall be valid for a 2 year period expiring on December 31st of the year following the issuance of the license. The fee for license shall be $200. If the application is denied, all except $25 of the fee may be ref L11ded if the applicant applies to the fire marshal for refund. No refund of the license fee shall be made if the license is revoked or if the denial of the license is based on the applicant's knowledge of including false or misleading information on the application. If an application for a Ii cense provides for more than 1 endorsement as provided in subrule 76.1(2), there shall be an additional fee of $25 for each endorsement beyond the first. Endorsement 3 (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) is classified as 1 endorsement regardless of whether the applicant is applying for more than 1 of the 4 sub-endorsements. A fire protection system installer and maintenance worker shall maintain general and complete operations liability insurance covering any work that the licensee is authorized to perform pursuant to any endorsements on the Ii cense in the following amounts: $500,000 per person, $1,000,000 per occurrence, and $1,000,000 property damage. The license shall become voided if insurance coverage is dropped. A licensee is not required to maintain insurance coverage provided the Licensees employer maintains insurance coverage equivalent to the requirements of this subrule.

A fire protection system installer and maintenance worker shall meet the following
training and experience requirements:

a. For endorsement for automatic sprinkler system installation and maintenance,
the applicant shall show evidence of the following:

1. Satisfactory completion of an apprenticeship program in f ire sprinkler
installation and maintenance approved by the United States Department
of Labor, including 4 years of employment as an apprentice fire
protection system installer and maintenance worker, OR submittal of t he
affidavit of 2 years work experience form located on the Iowa State Fire
Marshal website, and

2. A passing score on either the United Association Star Fire Sprinkler
Mastery Exam OR NICET level I certification in either Water-Based
(formerly Automatic Sprinkler System) Layout or Inspection and Testing
of Water-Based Systems.

b. For endorsement for special hazards fire protection system installation and
maintenance:

1. Satisfactory completion of an apprenticeship program in installation
and maintenance of special hazards fire protection systems approved
by the United States Department of Labor, or submittal of the affidavit
of 2 years work experience form located on the Iowa State Fire Marshal
website, and

2. Certification by the National Institute for Certification in Engineering
Technologies in Special Hazards Protection Systems at Level I, or another
form of certification or testing by a nationally recognized organization
approved as equivalent by the State Fire Marshal.

c. For endorsement for installation or maintenance of pre-engineered dry chemical
or wet agent fire protection systems:

1. To be endorsed as a pre-engineered kitchen fire extinguishing
system installer and/or maintenance worker, the applicant shall have
successfully completed training and an examination verified by a pre-engineered
system manufacturer.

2. To be endorsed as a pre-engineered industrial fire extinguishing system
installer and/or maintenance worker, the applicant shall have successfully
completed training and an examination verified ·by a pre-engineered
system manufacturer. Completion of training and examination which
would qualify the applicant for equivalent endorsement as a responsible
managing employee of a certified fire extinguishing system contractor
shall be deemed to meet the requirement.

d. For endorsement for installation of pre-engineered water-based fire protection
systems in 1 and 2 family dwellings:

1. Satisfactory completion of any training required by the manufacturer for
installation of any system that the applicant will install. Completion of
training and examination which would qualify the person for equivalent
endorsement as a responsible managing employee of a certified
fire extinguishing system contractor shall be deemed to meet the
requirement of this paragraph

Continuing Education:
A license may be renewed only if the licensee has completed
16 or more hours of continuing education in subjects related to the license and its'
endorsements during the 2 years preceding the date on which the new license will
become effective if it is issued. The continuing education must consist of courses
approved by the Fire Marshal and must have been completed by the licensee during
the 2 years prior to the effective date of the renewal. The continuing education required by NICET, NAFED/ICC, and FPC as well as UA STAR is approved by the fire marshal to meet this requirement.

Commercial Explosive Licensing of Corporations and Individual Blasters:
A license issued by the State Fire Marshal shall be required for all explosive firms or individual blasters who during the course of employment manufacture, import, distribute, sale, or use explosives. The license fee is $60 for a 3 year license expiring on December 31st of the third year. A licensees shall submit a background NICS check conducted by the Iowa Department of Public Safety. The Individual Blasters must submit fingerprints at the time of application and renewal. The fee for the criminal history check is $35. An explosive firm shall satisfy the following conditions in order to qualify for a license:

a. The application shall be complete with no information missing.

b. At least 1 responsible person with the firm is licensed as an individual blaster.

c. No felony convictions or convictions involving explosives or firearms.

d. No previous explosive license disqualifications in other states.

e. Not an unlawful user of or addicted to controlled substances.

f. Not adjudged mentally incompetent or have court committal for mental illness.

g. Not received in-patient treatment within the previous three years for mental
illness which impairs a person's ability to function normally.
An individual blaster shall satisfy the following conditions in order to qualify for a
license:

a. No felony convictions or convictions involving explosives or firearms.

b. No previous explosive license disqualifications in other states.

c. Not an unlawful user of or addicted to controlled substances.

d. Not adjudged mentally incompetent or have court committal for mental illness.

e. Not received in-patient treatment within the previous 3 years for mental illness which impairs a person's ability to function normally.

f. Must complete a training program or 640 hours of on-the-job training as approved by the State Fire Marshal.

REQUIREMENTS FOR PLUMBING, HVAC/R, HVDRONICS, AND MECHANICAL PROFESSIONALS:
If the business provides any type of plumbing, mechanical, HVAC, refrigeration, sheet metal or hydronic systems services, you are required to obtain a license with the Plumbing & Mechanical Systems Board. Visit the Plumbing
& Mechanical Systems Board website or call 866-280-1521 to complete a joint application for a 3-year registration and contractor license. Please don't complete an online application and payment with Contractor Registration.

The general requirements for a contractor license are as follows:

• Must be at least 18 years old.

• Must provide documentation of criminal convictions related to the practice of the profession, which shall include a full explanation from the applicant.

• Must file an application and submit appropriate fees.

• Must provide required bond and information to be issued a Division of Labor Contractor Registration Number.

• Must provide a valid unemployment insurance number, even if you have no employees.

• Must provide the board with evidence that the applicant maintains a permanent place of business.

• In addition, an applicant must meet public liability insurance, surety bond and Master of Record requirements as listed below.

Public Liability Insurance Requirement:
An applicant must provide the board with evidence of a public liability insurance policy issued by an entity licensed to do business in Iowa with a minimum coverage amount of $500,000. The certificate provided to the board must identify that the public liability insurance policy shall not be canceled without the entity first giving 10 days written notice to the board.

• Sole Proprietor - If the applicant operates the contractor business as a sole proprietorship, the applicant must provide the board with evidence that the applicant personally obtained the policy (e.g. Mary Smith OBA Mary Smith
Plumbing).

• Firm/Legal Entity - If the applicant operates the contractor business as an employee or owner of a legal entity, the applicant must provide the board with evidence that the insurance policy is obtained by the entity and that the
insurance covers all plumbing or mechanical work performed by the entity.

The certificate holder needs to be listed as the Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board, 321 E. 12th St, Des Moines, Iowa 50319.

Surety Bond Requirement:
An applicant must provide the board with evidence of a surety bond issued by an entity licensed to do business in this state in a minimum amount of $5,000. The surety bond provided to the board must identify that the surety bond shall not be canceled without the entity first giving 10 days written notice to the board.

"Surety bond" means a performance bond written by an entity licensed to do business in this state which guarantees that a contractor will fully perform the contract and which guarantees against breach of that contract.

• The obligee for the bond must be listed as the customers of the principal. It cannot be the state of Iowa or the board. There have been bonds approved that used language such as, "licensee's Iowa customers" or "Person(s) injured by Principal's breach of construction contract." If your bonding agent has questions, please contact our office.

• Sole Proprietor - If the applicant operates the contractor business as a sole proprietorship, the applicant must provide the board with evidence that the applicant personally obtained the surety bond.

• Firm/ Legal Entity - If the applicant operates the contractor business as an employee or owner of a legal entity, the applicant must provide the board with evidence that the surety bond was obtained by the entity and that the surety
bond covers all plumbing or mechanical work performed by the entity.

Master of Record Requirement:
"Master of record" means an individual possessing an active master license under Iowa Code chapter 105 who shall be responsible for the proper designing, installing, and repairing of plumbing, mechanical, HVACM refrigeration, sheet metal, or hydronic systems and who is actively in charge of the plumbing, mechanical, HVAC-refrigeration, sheet metal, or hydronic work of a contractor.

An applicant must provide the board with evidence that the applicant holds an active master license or employs at least one person who holds an active master license issued under Iowa Code chapter 105 for each discipline in which the applicant performs chapter 105-covered work. Without prior board approval, a contractor shall not knowingly utilize a master licensee to meet this requirement if the master licensee is simultaneously associated with another contractor in that discipline.

A master may only be a master of record for one contractor in any particular discipline at any one time, except that a contractor or a master may seek prior board approval to serve as the master of record for more than one contractor in a particular discipline. An individual who possesses master licenses in multiple disciplines may be a master of record for multiple contractors so long as the individual is only a master of record for one contractor in any particular discipline at one time.

Changes to Master of Record:
In the event a licensed master of record's employment with the contractor is terminated, or the master of record otherwise discontinues the master of record's relationship with the contractor, or the master of record's master license is lapsed, suspended, revoked, expired, or otherwise invalidated, the contractor may continue to provide plumbing, mechanical, HVAC-refrigeration, or hydronic systems services for a period of up to six months without identifying a new master of record.

To utilize the six-month grace period set forth above, a contractor must notify the board of the contractor's loss of the master of record within 30 days from the date the master of record is no longer associated with the contractor.

If you have a change in the master of record for your company, you may send an email using the online Contact Us Form at https://idph.iowa.gov/Contact-Us/ResponseMethod/subject/23. Identify the name of your company, license number, and date the master of record relationship ended. If you have a new master of record, include the license number of the new master of record, download the Master of Record Certification Form from the bottom of this page, and send the completed form to the board office.

Unemployment Insurance Number:
Contractors must obtain an unemployment insurance number before applying for contractor registration even if you have no employees. To obtain a UI# visit https://www.myiowaui.org or contact customer service at 888-848-7442 or [email protected].

Workers' Compensation Insurance Information:
A contractor with one or more employees must submit proof of workers' compensation insurance. In most cases employers must submit a certificate of insurance showing an effective date and listing the Division of Labor as a certificate holder. A self-insured contractor shall submit a Certificate of Relief from the Iowa Insurance Division.

Division of Labor Out-of-State Contractor Bond:
Out-of-state contractors must file a $25,000.00 surety bond at the time of registration and renewal. The bond must be issued by a surety company licensed to do business in Iowa on the out-of-state bond form provided at the end of this application. However, an out-of-state contractor that is pre-qualified to bid on projects for the Iowa Department of Transportation may submit a letter. For questions about the out-of-state contractor bond, contact the
Division of Labor at [email protected] or 515-242-5871.

Fee Exemption:
Self-employed contractors who meet the specific criteria may send a completed fee exemption form instead of payment for the contractor registration portion of the fee. To qualify for registering without payment, a self-employed
contractor must not work with or for other contractors in the same phases of construction and must not pay more than $2,000.00 per year to employ others.

NOTE:
This exemption applies only to the registration portion of the fee and does NOT apply to the licensing fee. A Notarized Fee Exemption Form must be completed and attached to the application. Contact the Division of Labor for questions about the fee exemption.

Supervision:
A contractor shall not knowingly allow an apprentice employed by the contractor to perform work covered under Iowa Code Chapter 105 without the supervision of the apprentice by a master or journeyperson who is also employed by the contractor and who is licensed in the discipline in which the apprentice is performing such work.

Fees:

New/Initial Contractor Fees:
Contractor applications must include both the fee for a contractor license and the fee for contractor registration. The portion of the registration fee received with the license application is transmitted electronically to the Division of Labor. All fees are pro-rated based on the length of time the license is valid for (licenses expire on June 30, 2020, and every three years thereafter). In addition, a paper application fee of $25 applies when submitting a paper application

* If applying for more than one active master, contractor, or journeyperson license in one or more disciplines for the same person, a fee discount of 30% may be deducted from the license application fees. To receive the 30% discount all licenses must be for the same individual and purchased on the same day. The 30% discount does not apply to the paper application fee, late fees, or registration portion of the fee. If applying online, the discount will calculate automatically (remember both applications must be submitted on the same day and be for the same person).

Date Submitted: 7/1/2017 - / 1/1/2018 - / 7/1/2018 - / 1/1/2019 - / 7/1/2019 - / 1/1/2020
12/31/2017 / 6/30/2018 / 12/31/2018 / 6/30/2019 / 12/31/2019 / 6/30/2020
License
Fees: $250 / $208.50 / $166.75 / $125 / $83.25 / $41.75

Registration $150 / $125 / $100 / $75 / $50 / $25
fee:

Plus Paper
app fee: $25 / $358.50 / $291.75 / $225 / $158.25 / $91.75

If you are applying for more than one active master, contractor, or journeyperson license in one or more disciplines for the same person, a fee discount of 30% may be deducted from the license application fees. To receive the 30% discount all licenses must be for the same individual and purchased on the same day. The 30% discount does not apply to the paper application fee, late fees, or registration portion of the fee. If applying online, the discount will calculate automatically (remember both applications must be submitted on the same day and be for the same person).

Contractor License Renewal Fees:

The renewal fee due is based on the date the license originally expired, plus any late fees, and paper application fees. Once renewed, the license and registration would be valid until June 30, 2020. For contractor licenses that expired on June 30, 2017, the following fee breakdown is applicable.

Contractor License fee due = $250
Contractor registration fee due = $150 (unless exempt and notarized fee)
(exempt form included)
Late renewal fee due = $100
Plus paper application fee = $25
Total due for paper application = $525

If you qualify for an exemption for the IWD portion of the fee, the total amount due for a paper application would be $375.

If you are renewing more than one active master, contractor, or journeyperson license in one or more disciplines for the same person, a fee discount of 30% may be deducted from the license application fees. To receive the 30% discount all licenses must be for the same individual and purchased in the same transaction. The 30% discount does not apply to the paper application fee, Iate fees, or the registration portion of the fee. If applying online, the discount will calculate automatically (remember both applications must be submitted on the same day and be for the same person).

If the license expired between February 2018 and June 2018, add an additional prorated license fee of $41.75 to cover the period from Feb 2018 - June 30, 2017, for a total due of $566.75.

NOTE:
If your contractor license expired more than one year ago, it can no longer be renewed. You must submit an application to obtain a new contractor license, including all required bond and insurance documents.

RECIPROCAL AGREEMENTS
Iowa Electrical Examining Board reciprocates with Arkansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wisconsin. The Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board reciprocates with the South Dakota State Plumbing Commission if the license was issued on the basis of written examination.