Utah to Iowa: master plumber license reciprocity
Iowa has no reciprocity agreement with Utah. A Utah master plumber applies by endorsement.
Reference only, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the licensing board before you apply. Full disclaimer.
Out-of-state master plumber (all states except South Dakota): direct admission to the Iowa master exam
The board reviews your out-of-state credentials case by case. Some exam is usually still required, often only a law or code exam.
Iowa has no master plumber reciprocity with any state other than South Dakota. An applicant who holds a master plumbing license in another state or local jurisdiction is eligible to sit for the Iowa master plumbing exam without first holding an Iowa journeyperson license (DIAL master page; 481 IAC 429.6). The applicant files the $35 Exam Approval Application, waits up to two weeks for approval, schedules the exam with Kirkwood Community College ($95 per attempt), passes with 75%, and then files the post-examination licensure application with a prorated three-year license fee ($240 for a full term). An applicant who has established Iowa residency may instead apply for licensure by verification under Iowa Code 272C.12 and 481 IAC 430.4, but the board still requires proof of passing the applicable Iowa exam and can issue only a temporary license until then, so the practical path is the same. A master who intends to contract independently, or a firm employing the master, must also obtain the PMSB Contractor license and contractor registration ($400 for a full term, 30% discount on license fees when bought with the master license in one transaction) with $500,000 public liability insurance and a $5,000 surety bond; out-of-state contractors also file a $25,000 bond under Iowa Code chapter 91C.
Kirkwood exam fee quoted from DIAL's master page ($95); the journey page lists $99. Timeline reflects up to two weeks for exam approval plus up to six weeks for application review, excluding exam scheduling.
At a glance
- Trade exam
- Required
- Law / code exam
- Not required
- Out-of-state hours
- Count toward eligibility
- Typical processing
- About 60 days
What you must already have
- Holds a master plumbing license in another state or local jurisdiction, OR a journeyperson plumbing license with at least two years of journey-level work experience (DIAL master page; 481 IAC 429.2(3), 429.6)
- Your Utah license must be active and in good standing.
- You must have no disciplinary action or unresolved complaints on your record.For licensure by verification: no revocation, surrender under investigation, unresolved discipline or pending complaint (272C.12; 481 IAC 430.4(3)).
- Licensure by verification requires established Iowa residency or a military spouse's permanent change of station to Iowa (272C.12; 481 IAC 430.4); non-residents use the exam route
What you'll do to get licensed in Iowa
- 1Application fee. Pay the application fee ($35). Exam Approval Application fee, per trade discipline exam (DIAL fees page).
- 2Trade exam. Pass the destination's trade exam. Iowa Master Plumbing examination administered through Kirkwood Community College at 15 Iowa test sites; 75% to pass; exam approval valid one year; also required of licensure-by-verification applicants under 481 IAC 430.4.
- 3Exam fee. Pay the exam fee ($95). Kirkwood Community College examination fee, per attempt (as listed on DIAL's master license page).
- 4License fee. Pay the license or certificate fee ($240). Master license fee for a full three-year term (July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2029), prorated by half-year for later issuance (e.g. $120 for Jan-Jun of year 2); same amount for a license by verification.
- 5Application fee. Pay the application fee ($25) (if applicable). Paper application fee if not filed through the DIAL online licensing portal.
- 6Background check. Complete a background check. Documentation of any criminal convictions (felony convictions reviewed by the board); lawful presence verified through SAVE.
- 7Continuing education. Complete continuing education. Eight classroom hours of board-approved continuing education per three-year term to renew (Iowa Code 105.20); not required for initial licensure.
- 8Contractor license. Hold or obtain a contractor license ($400) (if applicable). PMSB Contractor license ($250) plus DIAL contractor registration ($150) for a full three-year term, prorated; required only to contract for plumbing work as a business; 30% discount on license fees when bought with the master license in one transaction.
- 9Insurance. Carry the required insurance ($500,000) (if applicable). Public liability insurance of at least $500,000 for a contractor license (Iowa Code 105.19).
- 10Surety bond. Post a surety bond ($5,000) (if applicable). Surety bond of at least $5,000 for a contractor license (Iowa Code 105.19); out-of-state contractors must also file a $25,000 bond under Iowa Code chapter 91C.
Published fees on this path total $370, excluding exam-vendor fees, bonds, and insurance.
What you'll need to buy or arrange
Exam preparation
Most boards contract PSI, Prov, or ICC for exams. Check which code edition the exam is written to before buying a prep course.
- Trade exam
- Exam fee · $95
Continuing education
Renewals usually need approved CE hours, often on the latest NEC. Reciprocal licensees are rarely exempt.
- Continuing education
Business registration
If you plan to contract in your own name, budget for a business license or entity registration on top of the trade license.
- Contractor license · $400 · if applicable
Liability insurance
Some states require proof of general liability or workers' compensation coverage at licensing time.
- Insurance · $500,000 · if applicable
Surety bond
A license or contractor bond is bought from a surety, not the state. Price is a small percentage of the bond amount and depends on your credit.
- Surety bond · $5,000 · if applicable
How Iowa licenses master plumbers
Iowa master plumber · “Master Plumber”
Statewide license
Issued by Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board, Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL)
Iowa's highest person-held plumbing credential is the statewide Master Plumber license issued by the Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board (DIAL); a master plans and superintends plumbing work, may perform all journeyperson duties, and serves as master of record for a licensed contractor (one contractor per discipline at a time without board approval). A new applicant must be 18, disclose criminal convictions, and pass the Iowa master plumbing exam; to sit for it the applicant must hold either a master plumbing license in another jurisdiction or a journeyperson license with two years of journey-level experience. The exam is approved by the board ($35 application) and administered by Kirkwood Community College ($95 per attempt as listed on the master page, 75% to pass). Iowa's only reciprocity agreement is with South Dakota for plumbers licensed by written exam; masters from all other states are admitted directly to the Iowa master exam on the strength of their license. The separate Contractor license ($250 plus $150 registration per three-year term, with $500,000 liability insurance and a $5,000 bond) is required to contract for plumbing work as a business. Licenses run three years (current period ends June 30, 2029) with a full-term fee of $240 and eight hours of continuing education per term.
Common questions
- Do I have to take the Iowa master plumber exam if I'm licensed in Utah?
- Yes. Iowa requires the trade exam on this path.
- What does it cost to get a Iowa master plumber license from Utah?
- Published fees on this path total $370, not counting exam vendor fees or bonds.
- Do my Utah work hours count in Iowa?
- Yes. Documented out-of-state experience counts toward Iowa's eligibility requirements.
- How long does the application take?
- The board's published or typical processing time is about 60 days.
Sources
- Iowa Code Chapter 105 - Plumbers, Mechanical Professionals, and Contractors (2026) · Iowa Code 105.2, 105.17, 105.18, 105.19, 105.20, 105.21 · Iowa Legislature · Statute · verified September 16, 2026
- Iowa Code 272C.12 - Licensure of persons licensed in other jurisdictions (2026) · Iowa Code 272C.12 · Iowa Legislature · Statute · verified September 16, 2026
- DIAL - Plumbing & Mechanical Systems License Period & Fees · 481 IAC ch. 428 · Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL), Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board · Agency Page · verified September 16, 2026
- DIAL - Master Level License (plumbing, mechanical, HVAC, refrigeration, sheet metal, hydronic) · Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL), Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board · Agency Page · verified September 16, 2026
- Iowa Administrative Code 481 Chapter 429 - Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board Application, Licensure, and Examination · 481 IAC 429.2, 429.6 · Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing · Admin Rule · verified September 16, 2026
- Iowa Administrative Code 481 Chapter 430 - Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board Alternative Licensure Pathways · 481 IAC 430.3, 430.4, 430.5 · Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing · Admin Rule · verified September 16, 2026
Verified dates are when a person last opened each source and confirmed the facts above. Cite the board, not us.