Body Piercer / Iowa
2026 data Iowa board official source

Iowa Body Piercer License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Performs body piercing. Licensed in most states for health/safety.

What the Iowa data shows for Body Piercers

Iowa sets the entry bar for body piercers at 1,500 training hours and a passing score on a state-approved exam. A background check is a standard part of the process. The credential is administered under Iowa's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Cosmetology School".

Upfront cost is $75 on a 2-year cycle. Iowa doesn't require continuing education for this license, so upkeep costs stay confined to the renewal fee itself.

Iowa handles out-of-state credentials on a case-by-case basis instead of a standing reciprocity list.

Licensing Ease Score

C-
Licensing Ease Score
53/100
Body Piercer · Iowa

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
1,500 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee B+
$75
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden N/A
N/A
Renewal fee annualized over the renewal cycle
Continuing Education N/A
N/A
Continuing-education hours annualized over the renewal cycle
Experience Required N/A
N/A
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Iowa

Education / Training Hours
Cosmetology School
1,500 hours
Exam Requirement
Required
Initial License Fee
$75
Renewal Fee
N/A
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Required

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Body Piercer All Iowa licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Iowa licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Body Piercer in Iowa? ▼
In Iowa, the license path calls for 1500 education/training hours, a passing exam score, and a $75 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Body Piercer in Iowa? ▼
To become a licensed body piercer in Iowa, you must meet the state's requirements including 1500 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Iowa licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Body Piercer license to Iowa from another state? ▼
Iowa doesn't publish a standing reciprocity policy for body piercers; each out-of-state application is reviewed on its own merits. Some professions fall under interstate compacts that ease portability regardless. The Iowa licensing board can confirm what applies to your case.
Does Iowa require a background check for Body Piercer licensing? ▼
Yes, Iowa requires a criminal background check as part of the body piercer licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.

Related Guides

What to do with this body piercer license

Body Piercer in Iowa is one requirement row in a body piercer-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Iowa's body piercer requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Body Piercer in every state
  • Read the general portability rules before moving an existing license to a new state. Transfer guide
  • See how Iowa's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Iowa overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Iowa licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.