About DIAL

The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL) is a multifaceted regulatory agency charged with protecting the health, safety, and well-being of Iowans.

DIAL staff is responsible for inspecting and licensing or certifying health care providers and suppliers, medical professionals, restaurants and grocery stores, social and charitable gambling operations, hotels and motels, building and construction, fireworks and explosives, fire safety systems, and multiple other professions and programs. In addition, DIAL staff investigates alleged fraud in Iowa's public assistance programs and conducts contested case hearings to settle disputes between Iowans and various State and local government agencies. 

DIA is Now DIAL

On July 1, 2023, multiple programs across four agencies become part of the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIA) as a new organizational structure for state government went into effect. DIA became the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL). 

Governor Kim Reynolds signed Senate File 514 on April 4, 2023. The bill shrank the executive branch of Iowa's State government from 37 to 16 cabinet-level agencies. As a result of that legislation, DIAL has grown significantly.

Program areas from the Iowa departments of Commerce, Health and Human Services, Public Safety, and Workforce Development have joined the Department of Inspections and Appeals to become the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL), as a new organizational structure for state government went into effect on July 1. Government departments and agencies that provide related services or have similar business functions are aligning to better serve Iowans. Our goal is to meet your needs more efficiently and effectively through better coordination as one team. 

The entities being aligned within DIAL conduct similar operations by carrying out the regulatory functions of the state. Alignment will improve efficiencies, cost savings, and quality of service.

Last year, DIAL moved unemployment and public employment administrative law judges to the department. In three months, the combined team cleared a 5,439 multi-year unemployment case backlog.

New DIAL Program Areas

The following programs and boards are now under the purview of the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing.

Former DIA Programs

The Child Advocacy Board, an attached unit under DIA, and consumable hemp registration, which was handled by DIA's Food & Consumer Safety Bureau, moved to HHS.

Department Jobs

All current job listings for the department can be found on the State of Iowa career website.