- Iowa expects 1,600+ electrician job openings each year through 2030.
- Becoming a licensed journeyman requires 8,000 hours of training & scoring 70% in the exam.
- Homeowners can DIY electrical work without a license.
- Iowa offers more than 10 license types, from apprentice to master & contractor levels.
- A Journeyman can earn $ 60 K+ yearly & contractors make more with their own business.
The trades sector of Iowa is powering up, and electricians are leading the charge. With over 1,600 job openings for electricians projected annually through 2030, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Iowa faces a growing demand for licensed professionals who can do electrical wiring in homes, troubleshoot industrial electrical systems, and make sure the infrastructure runs safely and efficiently. But there is still a statewide shortage of qualified and licensed electricians.
Obtaining an Iowa electrical license is mandatory for anyone who wants to legally perform electrical work like installing, inspecting, or maintaining electrical systems in the state. Iowa law mandates licensing at each level, from apprentice electrician through master electrician, in order to ensure public safety and compliance with codes, such as the National Electrical Code (NEC). The path to becoming licensed in Iowa is regulated, structured, and rigorous. But for those who understand the steps and commit to the process, it can feel less overwhelming.
This comprehensive guide details the types of Iowa electrical licenses and their requirements, the step-by-step path from no experience to master electrician, fees and costs, salary, reciprocity with other states, workforce demand, approved apprenticeship training programs, exam format, license renewal, and more.
Table of Contents
What Are The Different Types Of Electrical Licenses In Iowa?
Iowa issues multiple license categories for electrical professionals, which in turn reflect the scope of electrical work and experience. The main classifications are Apprentice, Residential Electrician, Journeyman Electrician, Master Electrician, and Electrical Contractor (both full and residential), plus some special electrical licenses and unclassified statuses. In any case, a license is required by law to perform electrical installation or wiring for compensation.
Here are the key license types defined by Iowa:
Apprentice Electrician License
An apprentice license is for entry-level trainees who are enrolled in a State-approved apprentice program. They must work under the direct supervision of a licensed electrician. Similarly, a licensed unclassified person may work as a trainee without formal apprenticeship enrollment but only under the supervision of a licensed electrician and with a short-term electrical permit.
Residential Electrician License or Unclassified Person License
A residential electrician allows you to perform electrical work on one- to four-family dwelling units plus small accessory structures. You need to pass the state Residential Electrician exam and prove 4,000 hours of residential electrical experience or equivalent education. Licensed residential electricians can wire single-family homes and four units in one structure, plus outbuildings up to 3,000 ft^2.
Class A and Class B Journeyman Electrician License
For a Class A Journeyman license, you need to complete a DOL-registered apprenticeship of 4 years and 8,000 work hours or a recognized PSEP technical program, plus pass the state journeyman exam. Class B is a grandfather license for veterans of the trade who can document 16,000 hours as a journeyman before January 1, 1998, without requiring an exam. Licensed journeyman electricians are qualified to install and wire electrical systems and may supervise apprentices.
Class A and Class B Master Electrician License
You can pursue a Master’s license after holding a Journeyman license for at least one year. For a Class A Master electrician license, you must pass the state Master Electrician exam. And for a Class B Master electrician license, you don’t need to give an exam, but you need to be a veteran and submit documented proof of 16,000 hours as a master electrician before January 1, 1998. Master electricians can design and supervise electrical installations for light, heat, power, etc.
Residential Master Electrician License
A residential master electrician license is similar to a Master’s license, but it is restricted to one- to four-family dwellings with the same accessory structure limits as Residential Electrician. You must pass a Residential Master Electrician examination and have the qualifying experience.
Electrical Contractor License
An electrical contractor license allows you to have an electrical contracting firm in Iowa. You need to have a Master’s or Residential Master’s license before applying for the Electrical Contractor license, and you also need to register as a licensed electrical contractor with Iowa DIAL.
Residential Electrical Contractor License
An individual having this license is allowed to deal with residential projects. You must hold a Master or Residential Master Electrician license and register with DIAL as a contractor.
Special Electrician License
A special electrician license is a limited license for certain tasks like irrigation system wiring, sign installation, A/C disconnect, etc. You need to pass certain specialized exams or document your work experience.
Unclassified Person License
An unclassified person’s license is essentially an apprentice permit without formal apprenticeship enrollment. This license is valid for 180 days under supervision and does not require any classroom instruction.
The Iowa Electrical Examining Board and DIAL detail each license’s scope and requirements in Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 661 and Iowa Code Chapter 103. In all categories, applicants must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, and meet any specified training or experience prerequisites, which we will discuss later in detail.
How To Become A Licensed Electrician In Iowa?
In order to become an electrician in Iowa, you need to start as an apprentice, then gain experience as a journeyman, pass the Master Electrician License Exam, and eventually start your own electrical business. As mentioned above, you must be 18 or older with a high school diploma or GED, even if you are starting with no experience. Here is a more detailed breakdown of the general path Iowa individuals follow to become a qualified electrician:
Enroll Yourself In An Apprentice Training Program
The most common route is to join a Department of Labor-registered apprenticeship program as a beginner. Iowa DOL apprenticeship programs typically combine 8,000 hours of paid on-the-job training with 576 hours of classroom instruction. You have IBEW/NECA JATCs and other approved programs provided by trade schools. The second option is a Post-Secondary Electrical Program (PSEP) at a community college, which is often 2-4 years of technical coursework plus 6,000 hours of work. Iowa recognizes this program as equivalent to Journeyman licensure.
Accumulate The Required Experience
If you want to go for a residential electrician license, accumulate 4,000 hours of residential wiring experience under a licensed residential contractor. For Journeyman Class A, complete the full apprenticeship or equivalent PSEP with 8,000 hours of on-the-job training. And, for a Master Electrician license, you must hold a Journeyman Class A license for at least one year and accumulate at least 2,000 hours of work experience as a journeyman.
Complete Required Education or Training
If you are an apprentice, you need to enroll in a board-approved apprentice training program. Licensed unclassified people need 100 days of on-the-job training, which is rarely a sufficient long-term career path. And if you are a Class A applicant, whether Journeyman or Master, you must attend the required continuing education or code update courses.
Apply and Pass The Licensing Exam After Fulfilling The Requirements
If you are an apprentice, an unclassified electrician, or a Class B applicant, you don’t need to take any exam. Just program enrollment and affidavits of experience are enough. If you want to become a residential electrician, you must pass the Iowa Residential Electrician exam. For Journeyman Class A, you must pass an 80-question open-book exam, and for Master Class A, you must pass a 100-question open-book exam to become a licensed master electrician.
Apply For The License After Passing The Required Exam
Iowa requires criminal background disclosure and a passing score of at least 70% on the exams to apply for the license. You must submit an official application with Iowa DIAL/DPS, including documentation of education, experience affidavits, exam scores, and a small application fee.
Fill Out The Electrical Contractor Registration If You Want To Start A Business
If you want to start a business, you need to obtain an Electrical Contractor or Residential Contractor license and also register the business with the State of Iowa.
It takes 4-5 years of combined classroom and apprenticeship to become a licensed Journeyman Class A. After at least one more year of experience, you can obtain the Master Electrician license. You can slightly accelerate this path by attending the technical college programs that allow credit for schooling, but Iowa law still requires thousands of field hours.
What Electrical Work Can Be Done Without A License in Iowa?
Iowa law strictly limits unlicensed electrical work. Generally, no one may perform electrical wiring or installations for others without the proper license. However, the Iowa DIAL FAQs and code make some narrowly defined exceptions. Here are some of them:
If You Are A Homeowner, You Can Do Electrical Work On Your Own Home
A homeowner may perform electrical work on their own existing principal dwelling without a license, provided it is not new construction and does not exceed a single-family dwelling. For example, a person can rewire their own existing single-family house or pair wiring on their homesteaded property without holding an electrician license. However, new construction homes must have the electrical work done by a licensed Residential Electrical Contractor, and inspections are always required for new or replacement wiring.
If You Are An Apprentice Under Supervision
If you are enrolled as an Apprentice Electrician or work as an unclassified helper, you can perform electrical work only under the direct supervision of a licensed Journeyman or Master Electrician. You can handle basic tasks like running cables or making connections as long as your mentor approves. Honestly, the apprentice license itself is not a freestanding license to work independently.
Low-Voltage and Signal Work
Certain low-voltage work, such as phone, cable TV, home security, and low-voltage cabling, typically does not require an electrician’s license under state law, though local jurisdictions may have rules. Iowa’s electrical licensing scope generally applies to wiring over 50 volts. For example, special electricians for irrigation, signage, HVAC-ACR are licensed categories.
So, virtually any wiring involving 120/240VAC power must be done by a licensed professional or under their supervision. Homeowners should check building codes and permits before undertaking any electrical DIY.
Can I Do My Own Electrical Work In Iowa?
You would need a contractor license, be it Electrical Contractor or Residential Electrical Contractor, in order to pull permits and run an electrical contracting firm.
To become an electrical contractor in Iowa, you must first hold a qualifying electrician license, for example, Class A Master Electrician or Residential Master, or employ someone who is a current residential electrician or Master electrician. You cannot become a contractor without a master-level license. You must also submit a Certificate of Responsible Master Electrician when applying, and name the licensed master who oversees technical operations.
Being a contractor, even if you have an out-of-state firm working in Iowa, you must register your business with Iowa DIAL’s contractor portal. This involves an annual $50 fee, obtaining an Iowa unemployment insurance number, and, if you have employees, carrying workers’ compensation insurance. Iowa law requires a $25,000 surety bond for all contractors as well. You also need to submit all necessary business documents like company name, license numbers, insurance, and bond through the DIAL portal.
What Is The Cost Of An Iowa Electrical License?
License application fees in Iowa depend on the date of issuance within the licensing cycle. Here are the current electrician license fees based on the categories:
Apprentice and Unclassified Person: $20 per year
Residential Electrician: $75 per 3-year cycle
Journeyman Electrician (Class A or Class B): $75 per 3-year cycle
Master Electrician (Class A or Class B): $375 per 3-year cycle
Residential Master Electrician: $375 per cycle
Residential Electrical Contractor or Electrical Contractor: $375 per cycle
Special Electrician: $75 per 3-year cycle
Apart from licensing fees, there are some additional costs like exam fees, application processing, and continuing education. Contractor registration also requires a $50 annual fee, which is non-refundable, and there is also the cost of the required bond and general liability insurance.
Additionally, for apprentices, there are tuition or trade school fees, books, examination preparation materials, and any travel or lodging for training. There are many apprenticeship programs which are sponsored by unions that charge no tuition fees, but there are some community college programs that do.
How Much Does A Licensed Electrician Make In Iowa?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Iowa mean wage for electricians in 2023 was about $30.68 per hour, which is approximately $63,810 annually. Typically, wages depend on the experience, certification level, and location. Here are the average wages of electricians :
Apprentice: An apprentice usually earns a mean wage of $20-$25 per hour, and it depends on the employer and area. According to the Indeed, the entry-level electricians in Iowa earn $20.17 per hour.
Journeyman Electricians: The median pay of a Journeyman is around $30-$35 per hour in Iowa. According to the Indeed, the average base salary of Iowa electrician is $29.87 per hour.
Master Electrician: The salary of master electricians is significantly higher than that of apprentices and journeyman electricians. Iowa master electricians average $48.89 per hour, which is about $1,00,000 per year, with top-end pay near $57 per hour. Some experienced masters even ask over $60 per hour in busy markets.
Urban centers like Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, or Iowa City tend to pay higher wages than rural areas. And, if you are running a business, the labor costs will depend on the skill level. A journeyman’s rate will be twice that of an apprentice. Additionally, there are benefits, insurance, payroll taxes, and overhead on top of base pay.
What States Accept An Iowa Electrical License?
Iowa has reciprocal licensing agreements with several other states. If you are a holder of a valid Iowa electrician license, you may apply for equivalent licensing elsewhere without retesting, subject to certain conditions. According to Iowa DIAL, the state recognizes licenses from Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Likewise, electricians licensed in these states can often obtain an Iowa license by submitting a verification of good standing. Applicants typically must still file an Iowa application, pay fees, and provide proof of experience. Reciprocity does not eliminate all requirements, but it does ease multi-state mobility. For example, a Wisconsin journeyman can pursue Iowa licensure as a journeyman without re-taking the exam. You always need to confirm current agreements on the Iowa Electrical Examining Board website before relocating.
Are Electricians In Demand In Iowa?
Yes, the outlook for electricians in Iowa is strong. With Iowa’s robust construction market and aging workforce, there is ever greater demand locally. The state labor data and industry reports have also projected roughly 20-25% job growth for Iowa electricians over a ten-year period, which will be driven by new homebuilding, commercial projects, and replacement needs as older electricians retire.
According to a 2021 analysis by Iowa Workforce Development, it is expected that there will be a 20% increase in electrician jobs over the decade. There are many Iowa contractors who have reported difficulty finding qualified journeymen and apprentices.
The demand for electricians is strongest in metro areas like Des Moines and is growing in rural regions with new developments. And yet, the number of registered electrical apprentices and licensed journeymen is relatively limited.
Iowa-Approved Training Programs and Schools
According to Iowa law, if you are applying for a Journeyman license, you need to complete a Department of Labor-registered apprenticeship or an approved postsecondary electrical program. The Iowa Electrical Examining Board and DIAL publish a list of approved training programs. These include:
Trade Association Apprenticeships: The major electrical apprenticeship programs in the state are run by unions and contractor associations. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) joint apprenticeship committees (JATCs) in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Quad Cities, Sioux City, Southeast Iowa (Burlington), and Dubuque are all U.S. DOL-approved. Non-union Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Iowa also sponsors an approved apprenticeship (Grimes, IA). Other industry programs like Arconic, BETA Corp., CEU Authority, Electrical Association, etc, run accelerated or specialized apprenticeships.
Community College Programs (PSEP): There are many Iowa community colleges that have PSEP that the board accepts as equivalent training. For example, DMACC (Newton campus), Hawkeye CC, Iowa Central CC, Indian Hills CC, Iowa Lakes CC, NICC (Calmar), NW Iowa CC (Sheldon), SW Iowa CC (Creston), and others offer diplomas in electrical technology. It usually takes 2 years to complete these courses, along with some documented field hours.
Out-of-State and Online Programs: The board recognizes certain out-of-state and distance education programs. For example, Mitchell Technical Institute and Riverland CC have PSEP status for Iowans. There are also online apprenticeship programs like Penn Foster in partnership with contractors.
State Apprenticeship Agency: Iowa’s official apprenticeship agency assists prospective apprentices in finding openings. Many contractors and unions coordinate with this agency for recruitment.
Iowa’s Licensing Exam Details
All Iowa electrical licensing exams are administered by PSI on behalf of the Iowa Electrical Examining Board. The exams are open book, and only certain references and the NEC codebook are allowed.
Iowa’s licensing exams use the latest adopted NEC. As of January 1, 2024, the testing uses the 2023 National Electrical Code. So, you need to make sure that you study the latest code cycle. Here is a more comprehensive breakdown of the licensing exam:
The Journeyman Electrician Exam has 80 questions, and the time duration is 3 hours. The topics include general electrical knowledge, wiring methods and materials, wiring and protection, equipment, special conditions, etc. You need to score at least 70% to pass the exam.
The Master Electrician exam has 100 questions, and the time duration is 4 hours. The exam covers advanced topics plus communication systems. You need to score at least 70% to pass the exam.
The Residential Electrician and Master Exams are similar to the above, but they focus solely on residential NEC chapters and rules.
For special electrician exams like irrigation or HVAC disconnect licenses, there are separate and shorter exams that often have 30-40 questions.
You must also know that if you fail an exam twice, Iowa would require 12 hours of additional NEC-related continuing education and a 6-month waiting period before re-taking.
Why The Iowa Electrical License Is A Smart Career Move?
Becoming a licensed electrician in Iowa is a long-term investment in a field that continues to grow in security and purpose. From learning the trade as an apprentice to one day running your own contracting business, the path may be overwhelming, but it is also structured and full of potential. Whether you are drawn to hands-on residential wiring or want to oversee large-scale industrial systems, Iowa’s licensing framework makes sure that you are not only qualified but also trusted to keep homes and businesses safe.
With the state experiencing a pressing need for skilled electricians, there has never been a better time to join the trade. By investing in quality training, understanding the licensing tiers, and committing to the required hours and exams, you can earn a license and also build a future that is safe and successful.
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