The state of Iowa requires licensing for the installation, inspection, maintenance, or testing of all fire alarm, nurse call, and security alarm systems that "annunciate" a call. Systems, hard wired or wireless, that send a signal, text, phone call, or the like to local first responders, a monitoring service, security station, or individual require an alarm system license. A company installing and/or testing such systems and their employees must be licensed before working in Iowa.
Licensing is not required for:
A company that is providing monitoring services only.
CCTV and video recording systems or card reader/door access systems if no notifications are sent.
Licensed electricians only when installing wiring and components of an alarm system as a licensed electrician working for a licensed electrical contractor. Final termination at, and all work done with, the alarm panel requires an alarm system license.
Contractors must provide a copy of the most current certificate of liability insurance on the ACORD form. The ACORD form must show coverage amounts of $1 million per occurrence, $1 million property damage, and $500,000 per person.
List items for Alarm System Responsible Managing Employee Qualification Options
A company that does installation and maintenance inspection must select the both endorsements for installation and maintenance inspection on the application.
All technicians who intend to work in Iowa are required to obtain a technician license under a licensed contractor. They must provide a copy of their current qualifying certification.
All trainees who intend to work in Iowa are required to obtain a technician trainee license under a licensed contractor and be supervised 100% of the time on the job site by a licensed responsible managing employee or licensed technician licensed under the scope of work authorized by the license.
List items for Alarm System Technician Qualification Options
A technician who does installation and maintenance inspection must select the both endorsements for installation and maintenance inspection on the application.
100% supervised by licensed technician or RME while working
A trainee is someone in the process of obtaining one of the required certifications to become a licensed technician for installation and/or maintenance inspection.
All responsible managing employees and technicians are required to submit a fingerprint card by mail, or through the Fieldprint Livescan Network, at the time of application for a new or renewal license.
Use Fieldprint's largest Livescan network in Iowa to schedule secure, electronic submission of your fingerprints for criminal history background checks required by Commercial Explosives licensing.
Refer to the Fieldprint Program Scheduling Aid for step-by-step instructions to schedule your Livescan appointment at a Fieldprint location nearest you.
Be sure to use the Fieldprint Code for Alarm licensing - FPDIALAlarm.
$35 criminal history background check for each RME
Fee Structure for Technician License
$125 license fee
$25 for each endorsement
$35 criminal history background check
Fee Structure for Technician Trainee License
$50 license fee
$35 criminal history background check (new application and third application for renewal)
Payments can be made online by debit/credit card or eCheck/ACH or by mailing a check or money order payable to the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing or State of Iowa and mailed to the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing, Attention: Alarm Licensing Administration, 6200 Park Ave, Ste 100, Des Moines, IA 50321.
Iowa Code encompasses all permanent laws passed by the Iowa legislature and signed by the governor. Iowa Administrative Code (IAC) contains all administrative rules adopted by State agencies. When a new law is passed, administrative rules often need to be updated to implement or administer that law.
