Electrical Licensing FAQs
No, a license is not required for an owner of property performing work on the owner’s principal residence that qualifies for the homestead tax exemption, if such residence is an existing dwelling rather than new construction, and is not larger than a single-family dwelling. A new house will require the electrical work to be performed by a licensed Electrical Contractor or Residential Electrical Contractor. Inspections are required for all new electrical installations regardless of whether a license is required.
The types of electrical licenses are: Electrical Contractor, Residential Electrical Contractor, Class A Master Electrician, Class B Master Electrician, Residential Master, Class A Journeyman Electrician, Class B Journeyman Electrician, Residential Electrician, Apprentice Electrician, Special Electrician, and Unclassified Person.
An Electrical Contractor license is for a person affiliated with an electrical contracting firm or business who is licensed by the Board as either a Master A or B Electrician or employs a Master A or B Electrician, and who is registered with the State of Iowa Division of Labor as a contractor.
A Residential Electrical Contractor license may be issued to a person who is licensed as a Master Class A or B electrician, or a Residential Master and who is registered with the State of Iowa Division of Labor as a contractor.
Yes. All electrical contractors are required to be registered with the State of Iowa Division of Labor. For further details on contractor registration, visit Iowa Division of Labor: iowadivisionoflabor.gov/contractor-registration or call 515.242.5871.
A Master Electrician is a person having the necessary qualifications and technical knowledge to properly plan, lay out, supervise, and install electrical wiring and equipment for light, heat, and power. A Journeyman Electrician is a person having the necessary qualifications to wire for or install electrical wiring and equipment.
Iowa has reciprocal agreements with Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Review Iowa's Reciprocal Licensing Agreements with other states.
Yes, a Residential Master or a Residential Electrician can perform electrical work in a residence in which there are no more than four living units within the same building. These licenses will also allow residential electricians to wire accessory structures which are no greater than 3,000 square feet in floor area, not more than two stories in height, and on the same lot as the dwelling unit or units.
State sponsorship requirements include completion and submission of an application for a license that requires testing.
As of January 1, 2024, PSI is testing over the 2023 NEC.