Iowa Plumbing & Mechanical License Renewal (PMSB)

Last reviewed October 2026 · 6 min read

Every license the Iowa Plumbing & Mechanical Systems Board (PMSB) issues (plumbing, HVAC-refrigeration, hydronics, sheet metal and mechanical, apprentice to master, plus contractor licenses) expires on the same day: June 30 at the end of the three-year licensing period. The current period ends June 30, 2029. Journeyperson and master licenses need 8 hours of approved CE per period, more if you hold several licenses. Renew by July 31 and there's no late fee; after August 31 the license lapses and you can't work until it's renewed.

At a glance

Renews every: Three years. Every plumbing and mechanical license expires June 30 at the end of the three-year licensing period, whatever its issue date: the current period runs July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2029, the next one to June 30, 2032
Renewal opens: May 1 in the period's third year (May 1, 2029). Iowa law asks for the renewal application at least 30 days before the expiration date, and DIAL says processing takes about 4 to 6 weeks
Fee: $50 for an apprentice, inactive or specialty license, $180 journeyperson, $240 master, $75 medical gas system installer, and $250 for a contractor license plus the $150 contractor registration that renews with it ($400). A paper application adds $25
Several licenses: 30% off the license fees when you renew two or more active journeyperson, master or contractor licenses on the same day. Online, start with the contractor renewal, stop when it asks for payment, renew and pay your individual licenses, then go back and pay the contractor renewal. The discount doesn't apply to the $150 contractor registration, the paper application fee or late fees
Continuing education: 8 hours per three-year period for a single journeyperson or master license: 2 hours of plumbing or mechanical code, 4 hours in your discipline and 2 hours of Iowa OSHA safety. 14 hours if you hold two or more mechanical licenses, 16 hours for a plumbing license plus one or more mechanical licenses. Specialty licenses need 8 hours too; apprentice licenses need none
CE rules: Hours count only if earned during the license term, from board-approved courses. At least half must be in person; up to half can be online. A course taken twice counts once
Proof of CE: The board doesn't keep your certificates. If your renewal is selected for an audit, you must send them in, so keep every certificate
Contractor renewal: One application renews the contractor license and contractor registration. Upload a certificate of liability insurance (at least $500,000 public liability), your $5,000 minimum surety bond, the Master of Record Certification Form, a workers' compensation certificate if you have employees, and a $25,000 bond if the company is based outside Iowa. You also need an Iowa unemployment insurance account number, even with no employees
Renew: Online in the DIAL & HHS Public Health licensing portal, or by mail with the paper renewal form and a check or money order. Renewing before the license expires is your responsibility
Grace period: July 1 to July 31: renew with no late fee and keep working. August 1 to August 31: a $60 late fee per license, and the license is still valid for work
After August 31: The license lapses and isn't valid for work until it's renewed. Up to June 30 of the following year: a $100 late fee per license plus the renewal fee, and journeyperson, master and specialty licensees must have their CE done
More than a year late: The license must be reinstated and you pay the full license fee (instead of a late fee, with no proration or multiple-license discount). A journeyperson or master licensee retakes the exam or completes the CE hours for every licensing period missed; a specialty licensee completes the missed CE hours. A contractor license is reinstated with the usual renewal documents and fees

A contractor must hold or employ an active master license for each discipline it works in (its master of record). If the master of record leaves or their license lapses, the contractor can keep working for up to six months while it names a new one, but must tell the board within 30 days.

The contractor's surety bond and liability insurance must be written by a company licensed to do business in Iowa, and must require the insurer to give the board ten days' written notice before cancelling. List the board as certificate holder: Bureau of Environmental Health & Contractor, Iowa Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing, 6200 Park Ave Ste 100, Des Moines, IA 50321.

Hold both an HVAC-refrigeration and a hydronics license at the same level? You can combine them into a single mechanical license when you renew, at no charge. That renewal needs the 14-hour multiple mechanical CE; after that, the single mechanical license needs 8 hours.

An inactive license isn't valid for work but must still be renewed by June 30 (usually $50), and inactive journeyperson and master licenses still need their CE.

Some licensees are exempt from CE for a period, such as a specialty, journeyperson or master license issued with less than a year left in the period (at its first renewal only), or a journeyperson license obtained by exam that keeps the same expiration date as your apprentice license (first renewal only). You claim the exemption on the renewal application.

Medical gas system installer licenses need no CE hours: you keep your medical gas piping certification and brazer certification valid and submit them when you renew.

How to renew

Check that your license expires June 30, 2029: every plumbing and mechanical license in Iowa does, whatever its issue date.
Finish your CE during the license term: 8 hours for one journeyperson or master license (2 code, 4 discipline, 2 safety), 14 or 16 if you hold several. At least half in person, and keep every certificate.
Contractors: get a current certificate of liability insurance (at least $500,000) with DIAL's Bureau of Environmental Health & Contractor as certificate holder (address below), your $5,000 surety bond, the Master of Record Certification Form and, if you have employees, a workers' compensation certificate.
From May 1, 2029, renew online in the DIAL & HHS Public Health licensing portal, at least 30 days before June 30. Holding a contractor license and your own license? Start with the contractor renewal to get the 30% discount.
Pay the fee: $180 journeyperson, $240 master, $400 for the contractor license and registration. Missed June 30? Renew by July 31 to avoid a late fee.

Still tracking this in a spreadsheet? On a paid plan, get emailed 90, 60, 30, 7 and 1 days before it expires, by default.

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Deadline checklist

Spring 2029Count your CE hours earned this license term: 8 for one journeyperson or master license, 14 or 16 if you hold several, at least half in person. Book any in-person courses you still need.
May 1, 2029Renewal opens. Contractors: get your liability certificate, surety bond, Master of Record Certification Form and workers' comp certificate ready to upload.
By May 31, 2029Renew online, at least 30 days before expiration (processing takes 4 to 6 weeks). Holding a contractor license too? Start with the contractor renewal for the 30% discount. Check your apprentices and journeypersons have renewed.
June 30, 2029Every license expires. Not renewed? Renew by July 31 with no late fee; August costs $60 per license, and from September 1 the license lapses.

Put this renewal in your calendar

Know your expiration date? Download a free calendar file with reminders before it, no sign-up needed. It's made in your browser: nothing you type is sent to us (your browser keeps it only if you follow the sign-up link, for your new ledger). A Google Calendar button sends just that one event to Google.

The file covers one date: once you renew, make a new one. How to add it to your calendar

The license isn't the only thing expiring

Most lapses that cost contractors work aren't the license itself. They're one of these, renewing on a different date:

Your contractor license and contractor registration (June 30, renewed together) and your master of record's master license
Your apprentices' and journeypersons' licenses (same June 30: each renews their own)
Your $5,000 contractor surety bond and $500,000 liability policy, which must stay in force the whole licensing period
Medical gas piping and brazer certifications, if you hold a medical gas system installer license
General liability insurance policy
Workers' compensation policy (or exemption)
Certificates of insurance (COIs) you've given to clients and GCs
Commercial auto insurance

LicenseLedger keeps every one of those dates in one place and emails you before each one expires, with reminders far enough ahead to finish CE and paperwork.

Track your renewal dates free

Frequently asked questions

When do Iowa plumbing and mechanical licenses expire?

Every plumbing and mechanical license expires June 30 at the end of the three-year licensing period, whatever its issue date: the current period runs July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2029. Renewal opens May 1 in the period's third year (May 1, 2029).

How many CE hours do Iowa plumbers and HVAC techs need?

8 hours per three-year period for a single journeyperson or master license: 2 hours of plumbing or mechanical code, 4 hours in your discipline and 2 hours of Iowa OSHA safety. 14 hours if you hold two or more mechanical licenses, 16 hours for a plumbing license plus one or more mechanical licenses. At least half must be in person.

How much does it cost to renew an Iowa plumbing or HVAC license?

$50 for an apprentice, inactive or specialty license, $180 journeyperson, $240 master, $75 medical gas system installer, and $250 for a contractor license plus the $150 contractor registration that renews with it ($400). Renewing two or more active journeyperson, master or contractor licenses on the same day takes 30% off the license fees.

What happens if I renew my Iowa plumbing license late?

July 1 to July 31: renew with no late fee and keep working. August 1 to August 31: a $60 late fee per license, and the license is still valid for work. After August 31 the license lapses and isn't valid for work until it's renewed, with a $100 late fee per license. More than a year late, the license must be reinstated: a journeyperson or master licensee retakes the exam or completes the CE hours for every licensing period missed.

Official sources

Rules, fees and CE requirements change. Confirm the current requirements with the official source before you renew:

Iowa DIAL, Plumbing & Mechanical Systems Board, Renew or Update a License

This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Other Iowa guides

All Iowa guides on one page

Plumber guides for other states

Get a reminder before this renewal is due

Add this license, your insurance policies and the COIs you collect from subs to LicenseLedger, and get an email before each one expires. Free for up to 3 records, no credit card required.

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Iowa Plumbing & Mechanical License Renewal (PMSB)

Last reviewed October 2026 · 6 min read

At a glance

Renews every: Three years. Every plumbing and mechanical license expires June 30 at the end of the three-year licensing period, whatever its issue date: the current period runs July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2029, the next one to June 30, 2032
Renewal opens: May 1 in the period's third year (May 1, 2029). Iowa law asks for the renewal application at least 30 days before the expiration date, and DIAL says processing takes about 4 to 6 weeks
Fee: $50 for an apprentice, inactive or specialty license, $180 journeyperson, $240 master, $75 medical gas system installer, and $250 for a contractor license plus the $150 contractor registration that renews with it ($400). A paper application adds $25
Several licenses: 30% off the license fees when you renew two or more active journeyperson, master or contractor licenses on the same day. Online, start with the contractor renewal, stop when it asks for payment, renew and pay your individual licenses, then go back and pay the contractor renewal. The discount doesn't apply to the $150 contractor registration, the paper application fee or late fees
Continuing education: 8 hours per three-year period for a single journeyperson or master license: 2 hours of plumbing or mechanical code, 4 hours in your discipline and 2 hours of Iowa OSHA safety. 14 hours if you hold two or more mechanical licenses, 16 hours for a plumbing license plus one or more mechanical licenses. Specialty licenses need 8 hours too; apprentice licenses need none
CE rules: Hours count only if earned during the license term, from board-approved courses. At least half must be in person; up to half can be online. A course taken twice counts once
Proof of CE: The board doesn't keep your certificates. If your renewal is selected for an audit, you must send them in, so keep every certificate
Contractor renewal: One application renews the contractor license and contractor registration. Upload a certificate of liability insurance (at least $500,000 public liability), your $5,000 minimum surety bond, the Master of Record Certification Form, a workers' compensation certificate if you have employees, and a $25,000 bond if the company is based outside Iowa. You also need an Iowa unemployment insurance account number, even with no employees
Renew: Online in the DIAL & HHS Public Health licensing portal, or by mail with the paper renewal form and a check or money order. Renewing before the license expires is your responsibility
Grace period: July 1 to July 31: renew with no late fee and keep working. August 1 to August 31: a $60 late fee per license, and the license is still valid for work
After August 31: The license lapses and isn't valid for work until it's renewed. Up to June 30 of the following year: a $100 late fee per license plus the renewal fee, and journeyperson, master and specialty licensees must have their CE done
More than a year late: The license must be reinstated and you pay the full license fee (instead of a late fee, with no proration or multiple-license discount). A journeyperson or master licensee retakes the exam or completes the CE hours for every licensing period missed; a specialty licensee completes the missed CE hours. A contractor license is reinstated with the usual renewal documents and fees

An inactive license isn't valid for work but must still be renewed by June 30 (usually $50), and inactive journeyperson and master licenses still need their CE.

Medical gas system installer licenses need no CE hours: you keep your medical gas piping certification and brazer certification valid and submit them when you renew.

How to renew

Check that your license expires June 30, 2029: every plumbing and mechanical license in Iowa does, whatever its issue date.
Finish your CE during the license term: 8 hours for one journeyperson or master license (2 code, 4 discipline, 2 safety), 14 or 16 if you hold several. At least half in person, and keep every certificate.
Contractors: get a current certificate of liability insurance (at least $500,000) with DIAL's Bureau of Environmental Health & Contractor as certificate holder (address below), your $5,000 surety bond, the Master of Record Certification Form and, if you have employees, a workers' compensation certificate.
From May 1, 2029, renew online in the DIAL & HHS Public Health licensing portal, at least 30 days before June 30. Holding a contractor license and your own license? Start with the contractor renewal to get the 30% discount.
Pay the fee: $180 journeyperson, $240 master, $400 for the contractor license and registration. Missed June 30? Renew by July 31 to avoid a late fee.

Still tracking this in a spreadsheet? On a paid plan, get emailed 90, 60, 30, 7 and 1 days before it expires, by default.

Start free

Deadline checklist

Spring 2029Count your CE hours earned this license term: 8 for one journeyperson or master license, 14 or 16 if you hold several, at least half in person. Book any in-person courses you still need.
May 1, 2029Renewal opens. Contractors: get your liability certificate, surety bond, Master of Record Certification Form and workers' comp certificate ready to upload.
By May 31, 2029Renew online, at least 30 days before expiration (processing takes 4 to 6 weeks). Holding a contractor license too? Start with the contractor renewal for the 30% discount. Check your apprentices and journeypersons have renewed.
June 30, 2029Every license expires. Not renewed? Renew by July 31 with no late fee; August costs $60 per license, and from September 1 the license lapses.

Put this renewal in your calendar

The file covers one date: once you renew, make a new one. How to add it to your calendar

The license isn't the only thing expiring

Most lapses that cost contractors work aren't the license itself. They're one of these, renewing on a different date:

Your contractor license and contractor registration (June 30, renewed together) and your master of record's master license
Your apprentices' and journeypersons' licenses (same June 30: each renews their own)
Your $5,000 contractor surety bond and $500,000 liability policy, which must stay in force the whole licensing period
Medical gas piping and brazer certifications, if you hold a medical gas system installer license
General liability insurance policy
Workers' compensation policy (or exemption)
Certificates of insurance (COIs) you've given to clients and GCs
Commercial auto insurance

LicenseLedger keeps every one of those dates in one place and emails you before each one expires, with reminders far enough ahead to finish CE and paperwork.

Track your renewal dates free

Frequently asked questions

When do Iowa plumbing and mechanical licenses expire?

How many CE hours do Iowa plumbers and HVAC techs need?

How much does it cost to renew an Iowa plumbing or HVAC license?

What happens if I renew my Iowa plumbing license late?

Official sources

Rules, fees and CE requirements change. Confirm the current requirements with the official source before you renew:

Iowa DIAL, Plumbing & Mechanical Systems Board, Renew or Update a License

This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Other Iowa guides

All Iowa guides on one page

Plumber guides for other states

Get a reminder before this renewal is due

Add this license, your insurance policies and the COIs you collect from subs to LicenseLedger, and get an email before each one expires. Free for up to 3 records, no credit card required.

Start free

How LicenseLedger works for plumbers

Not ready to sign up? Get the free tracking spreadsheet