Do you need a license to work as a plumber in Iowa?
Yes. In Iowa, a person may not operate as a contractor or install or repair plumbing without a license from the state plumbing and mechanical systems board, and a plumbing business must employ a licensed master who is actively in charge of the work. The chapter does not stop an owner from working on the owner’s own existing principal residence that is no larger than a single-family dwelling and qualifies for the homestead tax credit, or require that owner to be licensed. A rental property owner or the owner’s employee may do routine maintenance on the rental property. This is Iowa Code §§ 105.3, 105.10, 105.11.
| What | Iowa |
|---|---|
| Plumber license | State plumbing license (plumbing and mechanical board) |
Source
Iowa Code §§ 105.3, 105.10, 105.11
Read the statute in the Iowa Code (Iowa Legislature): legis.iowa.gov.
Checked against the statute on November 13, 2026.
This is a summary of a published statute, not legal advice. Rules change, local ordinances can add to them, and the terms of a specific lease may differ. Check the citation and speak to a lawyer before acting.
How Seayora uses this rule
A contractor on Seayora keeps each license with its issuing state, its expiry date and the last four digits of its number, and the business is warned before one lapses — on the website and both phone apps. A customer finding a pro on Seayora sees whether a license is on file.
Guides on this rule
- Contractor License Requirements by State: Every Trade — Which states require a state license for electricians, plumbers, HVAC, general and home improvement contractors, with the statute for each.
Compare this rule in every state
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The same question in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii