How Do I Renew or Update a Plumbing & Mechanical Systems License?

Create an account, and renew, or update online using our online portal.

Alternatively, you may submit a paper application for renewal, along with the correct fee for each license.

Licensees have a one-month grace period (for most licenses until the end of July) to renew their license without paying additional penalties or late fees. 

After the grace period, the following late fees apply:

• For renewal during the month of August (or two months after the expiration date if your license expired prior to June 30), licensees must submit an additional $60 late penalty fee in addition to meeting the other requirements for renewal. The late fee is applied to each license that has not been renewed in a timely manner. 
• For renewal during September (or three months after the expiration date if your license expired prior to June 30) and up to one year late, licensees must submit an additional $100 late penalty fee in addition to meeting the other requirements for renewal. The late fee is applied to each license that has not been renewed in a timely manner. The license is not valid for practice.
• If your license is more than one year past its expiration date, the license is also not valid for practice in Iowa and you must meet the requirements for reinstatement of the license. Licensees will be required to pay the full three-year renewal fee and shall not be entitled to a pro-rated reduced renewal fee.

To renew a license, applicants must submit an application for renewal (either online or via a paper application), pay the renewal fee, and meet the continuing education requirements for renewal.

Continuing education hours must be completed during the renewal term of the license to be eligible.

If your license expired over 365 days ago reinstatement requires either retesting or retaking all continuing education hours. 

If your license has been expired for more than one year, it must be reinstated. You have two options:

1. Complete all required continuing education (CEU) courses again.
2. Retake and pass the licensing exam.

As of March 31, 2021, you cannot receive CEU credit for the same course more than once. Repeated courses will not count toward reinstating a lapsed license. At least half of your CEUs must be completed in person.

For more details, visit the Continuing Education & Training page.

If Your License Has Been Expired for Less Than Three Years

You must complete all required CEU courses again for each license you want to reinstate. Only courses taken at least one year after the license expired will count.

If Your License Has Been Expired for More Than Three Years

You must complete more CEU hours based on the number of license periods missed. One license period equals three years.

Examples:

• 16 CEU hours must reinstate one license lapsed for two periods.
• 32 CEU hours must reinstate both a plumbing and mechanical license lapsed for two periods.
• 24 CEU hours must reinstate a single license lapsed for three periods.

If more than two years remain in the current licensing period:
Courses must be taken at least one year after the start of the previous licensing period.

If fewer than two years remain in the current licensing period:
Courses must be taken at least one year after the start of the current licensing period.

Reinstate by retaking the applicable licensing exam

You may also reinstate your license by retaking the applicable licensing exam.

1. Submit an Exam Candidate Application, selecting “reinstatement” as the reason.
2. Pay a $35 fee for each exam.
3. After approval, schedule your exam through Kirkwood Community College. You must pay a separate testing fee directly to Kirkwood.

After completing the reinstatement requirements

Once you meet the reinstatement requirements, you may apply to renew your license.

• Submit a complete application and pay the full license fee for each license you want to reinstate.
• Prorated or reduced fees are not available.

For more information, visit the Plumbing & Mechanical Systems License Fees page.

For licensees that currently hold a HVAC/R and a hydronics license at the same level of master or journeyperson, you may elect to combine these licenses into a single mechanical license.

Renewal fees will be assessed as a single license if converting to the mechanical license. No fee is charged to combine licenses when it is done at renewal.  

If you are renewing into the new mechanical license, there are special instructions when doing this via the public portal. In the instructions for individual renewals, see the section marked Combine to Mechanical.

Allow four to six weeks for processing all applications.

Paper applications must be submitted with a $25 processing fee.

Late renewal is subject to an additional late penalty fee.

• If you submit your renewal application more than one month late, but less than two months late, include an additional $60 late penalty fee for each trade discipline license being renewed late.
• If you submit your application more than two months late, but less than one year late, include an additional $100 late penalty fee for each trade discipline license being renewed late.

If your license renewal term is less than the full three years, renewal fees will be prorated using a one-sixth deduction for each six-month period of the renewal cycle. However, if you are reinstating your license, you are not entitled to a prorated, reduced renewal fee.