Iowa’s Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board oversees the licensure of heating, ventilation, and air condition (HVAC) technicians in the state. To become an HVAC tech, you’ll need to get the appropriate training as an apprentice. Then, you’ll need to apply for your journey- or master-level HVAC license.
- Become an HVAC Apprentice in Iowa
HVAC trainees should first apply for an apprenticeship in the state. Apprenticeships should be approved by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship, guaranteeing that they will provide the training you need to become a competent HVAC worker.
Iowa apprentices can work in the HVAC-refrigeration field as they learn about and assist with HVAC work. They must be supervised by a licensed master or journeyman HVAC tech.
To be an apprentice, you must:
- Be 18+
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Pay all fees
- Explain any criminal convictions
- Work under a licensed HVAC tech
- Be enrolled in an approved program
Once you meet these requirements, you can apply to be formally recognized as an apprentice with the state. There is an online application or a paper one.
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Become an HVAC Tech in Iowa
After your initial training as an apprentice, you can apply for licensure as a journeyman. Once you have a few more years of experience under your belt, you can apply for a master license. You can opt to get the sublicense “Service Technician HVAC Specialty License” under your journeyman or master license.
There are also mechanical contractor licenses, which would allow you to have your own HVAC business, hire employees, and bid on larger projects. Contractors may be master HVAC techs or hire one as a full-time employee.
Journeyman HVAC Techs
Journeyman HVAC techs work under a licensed master tech in designing, installing, and repairing mechanical or HVAC systems. They can also supervise apprentices.
To be eligible for a journeyman license, you’ll need to:
- Be 18+
- Discuss any previous criminal convictions
- Have 4+ years of experience as an apprentice
- Have passed the journeyman’s exam in their trade
- Submit an Exam Approval Application before taking the exam
- You may be exempt from the exam if you have an out-of-state master’s license in the same trade
If you’re eligible for the license, follow these steps:
- Submit an Exam Approval Application and pay $35 per exam
- Schedule and pass your exam
- After you pass your exam, submit the Post-Examination Licensure application
Master HVAC Techs
Master HVAC Techs plan and oversee large HVAC projects, journeyman techs, and apprentices. They may only work for one contractor at a time.
The requirements are:
- Be 18+
- Discuss past criminal convictions
- Have 2+ years of journeyman experience OR a master license in another state
- Pass the master licensing exam
If you meet the requirements, you should:
- Submit an Exam Approval Application
- Schedule, take, and pass the exam
- Submit the Post-Examination Licensure application
Service Technician HVAC Specialty Sub-License
The Service Technician HVAC Specialty Sub-License can be applied for with your journeyman/master license or afterward. It allows you to work with appliance shutoff valves to the appliance, including gas piping connection and the installation of shutoff valves.
You will need a special certification from the North American Technician Excellence, Inc. (NATE), a Service Technician Associate Degree, or the equivalent board-approved training. See here for more details.