Fire Protection System Licensing

Topics:

Alarms & Fire Safety

The state of Iowa requires licensing for all fire extinguishing systems.  A company installing and/or testing such systems and their employees must be licensed as fire protection system contractors and technicians.

  • Fire protection licensing is not required for a company or technicians doing hood cleaning only (no maintenance or repairs).
  • Fire protection technician licensing is not required for employees doing routine maintenance only (excluding inspections).
  • The state of Iowa does not regulate portable fire extinguisher inspections or testing. Please check with the local jurisdictions regarding any requirements.

Contractor License Requirements

  • All contractors who intend to work in Iowa are required to obtain a contractor license.
  • Contractors must list at least one responsible managing employee (RME) and provide a copy of their current qualifying certification as specified in the matrix below.
  • Contractors shall obtain and maintain current registration (or obtain a written exemption) as a construction contractor in compliance with Iowa Code chapter 91C and 481 Iowa Administrative Rules 465.  Visit the  contractor registration page for more information.
  • 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.

Responsible Managing Employee (RME) Endorsement Qualification Options

A company that does installation and maintenance inspection must select the both endorsements for installation and maintenance inspection on the application.

Technician License Requirements

  • 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 certifications as specified in the matrix below.
  • All trainees who intend to work in Iowa and are not enrolled in a Department of Labor Apprenticeship program 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. There must be one licensed RME or technician for every three technician trainees or apprentices.​​​​​

Technician Endorsement Qualification Options

A technician who does installation and maintenance inspection must select the both endorsements for installation and maintenance inspection on the application.

License Fees

Fee Structure for Contractor License

  • $400 license fee
  • $50 for each endorsement
  • $50 for each responsible managing employee (RME)

Fee Structure for Technician License

  • $175 license fee
  • $25 for each endorsement

Fee Structure for Technician Trainee License

  • $100 license fee

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: Fire Protection Systems Licensing, 6200 Park Ave, Ste 100, Des Moines, IA 50321.

Criminal Conviction Eligibility

Applicants with criminal histories are not immediately denied a license in Iowa.  

Applicable Licensing Programs:

  • Alarm System Licensing Programs
  • Commercial Explosives Licensing Programs
  • Fire Protection System Licensing Programs

A prior offense may be disqualifying if one of the following conditions apply:

  • the actions of the offense are within the specialty of the license program.
  • circumstances of the offense are specific to the licensing program.  

You may submit proof to the Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing (DIAL) to show your current fitness to get a license.

Applicants must share their conviction information on their application for licensure, and include all of the following:

  • the criminal complaint and judgment of conviction for each separate offense.
  • a personal statement about the conditions that led to the convictions.
  • all evidence of rehabilitation they wish the DIAL to consider.

The DIAL reserves the right to request additional information and make a disqualification determination on other criminal offenses not listed herein.  

Laws & Rules

The Iowa Legislature - Iowa Laws & Rules

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.