Electrician license
Iowa electrician license
The Iowa Electrical Examining Board, part of the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL), licenses electricians and electrical contractors statewide under Iowa Code chapter 103. The licenses are Apprentice Electrician, Class A Journeyman Electrician, Class A Master Electrician, Residential Electrician and Electrical Contractor. Each is below with its hours, exam, fees and official source, followed by how to apply, renewal, reciprocity and the official license lookup.
Licenses at a glance
| License | Experience | Exam | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice Electrician | Not set in hours | No exam | $20 for a one-year license |
| Class A Journeyman Electrician | Not set in hours | 80 questions, 2023 NEC | $75 for a three-year license (prorated by month when issued mid-cycle) |
| Class A Master Electrician | Not set in hours | 100 questions, 2023 NEC | $375 for a three-year license |
| Residential Electrician | 6,000 hours | Yes | $75 for a three-year license |
| Electrical Contractor | Not set in hours | No exam | $375 for a three-year license |
How to get each Iowa license
Apprentice Electrician
Requirements. Apply to the Board with the fee while enrolled in a registered apprenticeship program. You must work under the direct supervision of a master or journeyman electrician, and you may hold an apprentice license for no more than six years unless the Board grants a hardship extension.
Exam. No exam for this license.
Fees. $20 for a one-year license.
Sources: 481 IAC chapter 401: Electrician and Electrical Contractor Licensing Program, Licensing Requirements, Procedures and Fees; Iowa Code chapter 103: Electricians and Electrical Contractors.
Class A Journeyman Electrician
Requirements. Complete a registered apprenticeship program with four years of experience as an apprentice, then pass the journeyman exam with 70% or higher within 24 months before you apply. Graduates of a Board-approved postsecondary program (at least 2,000 hours of instruction) qualify after 6,000 hours of licensed electrical work.
Exam. Required.
| Testing company | PSI |
|---|---|
| Code edition | 2023 NEC |
| Questions | 80 questions |
| Time | 180 minutes (3 hours) |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Code book | Open book: bring the 2023 NEC (NFPA 70) or the 2023 NEC Handbook, bound, with permanent tabs only. |
| Exam fee | $87 |
| Official bulletin | Iowa Electrical Examining Board Candidate Information Bulletin (PSI, updated 9/19/2025) |
Fees. $75 for a three-year license (prorated by month when issued mid-cycle)
The exam has 80 scored questions plus 8 unscored questions, with 30 minutes added for the unscored ones (88 questions in 210 minutes in all).
Preparing for the Iowa journeyman exam. The Iowa journeyman electrician exam guide covers the format, the code book and the outline, and the free Iowa practice test scores you by subject with no account. The full course is $149, one payment, six months of access.
Sources: 481 IAC chapter 401: Electrician and Electrical Contractor Licensing Program, Licensing Requirements, Procedures and Fees; Iowa Electrical Examining Board license fee schedule, 2026 to 2028 license cycle; Iowa Electrical Examining Board Candidate Information Bulletin (PSI, updated 9/19/2025).
Class A Master Electrician
Requirements. One year of experience as a licensed journeyman electrician, then pass the master electrician exam with 70% or higher within 24 months before you apply.
Exam. Required.
| Testing company | PSI |
|---|---|
| Code edition | 2023 NEC |
| Questions | 100 questions |
| Time | 240 minutes (4 hours) |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Code book | Open book: bring the 2023 NEC. |
| Exam fee | $87 |
| Official bulletin | Iowa Electrical Examining Board Candidate Information Bulletin (PSI, updated 9/19/2025) |
Fees. $375 for a three-year license.
The master exam has 100 scored questions plus 10 unscored questions, with 30 minutes added for them.
Sources: 481 IAC chapter 401: Electrician and Electrical Contractor Licensing Program, Licensing Requirements, Procedures and Fees; Iowa Electrical Examining Board Candidate Information Bulletin (PSI, updated 9/19/2025).
Residential Electrician
Requirements. 6,000 hours of experience as an apprentice electrician and a passing score on the residential electrician exam. You may test after 5,000 hours, but the license is issued only at 6,000. Other routes include 4,000 hours plus one year of approved trade school.
Experience. 6,000 hours.
Exam. Required.
| Testing company | PSI |
|---|---|
| Code edition | 2023 NEC |
| Questions | Not confirmed: check with the board |
| Time | Not confirmed: check with the board |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Code book | Open book: bring the 2023 NEC. |
| Exam fee | $87 |
| Official bulletin | Iowa Electrical Examining Board Candidate Information Bulletin (PSI, updated 9/19/2025) |
Fees. $75 for a three-year license.
Sources: 481 IAC chapter 401: Electrician and Electrical Contractor Licensing Program, Licensing Requirements, Procedures and Fees; Iowa Electrical Examining Board Candidate Information Bulletin (PSI, updated 9/19/2025).
Electrical Contractor
Requirements. You must hold, or employ someone who holds, an active master electrician license, and be registered as a contractor with DIAL.
Exam. No exam for this license.
Fees. $375 for a three-year license.
How to apply
Create an account on iowaelectrical.gov, open the Electrical Licensing System and submit a new application (by examination, by apprentice program, or by work experience). The Board reviews it and emails you a payment request. Apply on the official site.
Source: Apply for an Electrical License (Iowa DIAL).
Renewal and continuing education
| Renewal | Every three years; apprentice and unclassified licenses renew every year. |
|---|---|
| Continuing education | 18 hours of Board-approved continuing education each three-year license period (6 hours per year for a license issued for less than three years). |
Sources: Iowa Code chapter 103: Electricians and Electrical Contractors; 481 IAC chapter 403: Electrician and Electrical Contractor Licensing Program, Education.
Reciprocity with other states
By agreement with Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Licensure by verification is also available to people licensed in other states.
Source: Electrical Licensing FAQs (Iowa DIAL).
Look up an Iowa electrician license
To check that an electrician or contractor is licensed, use the official Iowa Electrical Examining Board license search.
Good to know
PSI has tested on the 2023 NEC since January 1, 2024.
Source: Electrical Licensing FAQs (Iowa DIAL).
Common questions
Who issues electrician licenses in Iowa?
The Iowa Electrical Examining Board, part of the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL), licenses electricians and electrical contractors statewide under Iowa Code chapter 103.
How do I get a journeyman electrician license in Iowa?
Class A Journeyman Electrician: Complete a registered apprenticeship program with four years of experience as an apprentice, then pass the journeyman exam with 70% or higher within 24 months before you apply. Graduates of a Board-approved postsecondary program (at least 2,000 hours of instruction) qualify after 6,000 hours of licensed electrical work. Create an account on iowaelectrical.gov, open the Electrical Licensing System and submit a new application (by examination, by apprentice program, or by work experience). The Board reviews it and emails you a payment request.
How many questions are on the Iowa journeyman electrician exam?
80 questions in 180 minutes (3 hours), and the passing score is 70%.
Does Iowa accept electrician licenses from other states?
By agreement with Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Licensure by verification is also available to people licensed in other states.
How often does a Iowa electrician license renew?
Every three years; apprentice and unclassified licenses renew every year. Continuing education: 18 hours of Board-approved continuing education each three-year license period (6 hours per year for a license issued for less than three years).
How do I look up an electrician license in Iowa?
Use the official Iowa Electrical Examining Board license search at https://dps-eeb.my.site.com/LicenseSearchPage
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from Iowa's own licensing board, statute or rule, or the testing company the board names. Where a fact could not be confirmed from one of them, the page says to check with the board. Rules and fees change: confirm with the board before you apply.
- Electrical Licensing (Iowa DIAL), opened November 11, 2026
- Apply for an Electrical License (Iowa DIAL), opened November 11, 2026
- Electrical Licensing FAQs (Iowa DIAL), opened November 11, 2026
- 481 IAC chapter 401: Electrician and Electrical Contractor Licensing Program, Licensing Requirements, Procedures and Fees, opened November 11, 2026
- Iowa Electrical Examining Board Candidate Information Bulletin (PSI, updated 9/19/2025), opened November 11, 2026
- Iowa Code chapter 103: Electricians and Electrical Contractors, opened November 11, 2026
- Iowa Electrical Examining Board license fee schedule, 2026 to 2028 license cycle, opened November 11, 2026
- 481 IAC chapter 403: Electrician and Electrical Contractor Licensing Program, Education, opened November 11, 2026
- Iowa Electrical Examining Board licensing and inspection website, opened November 11, 2026
Electrician license requirements in every state · How to become an electrician · Journeyman electrician license · Master electrician license
Last verified November 11, 2026.