Professional Engineer (PE) / Iowa
2026 data Iowa board official source

Iowa Professional Engineer (PE) License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

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Provides engineering services to the public. Requires FE + PE exams.

What the Iowa data shows for Professional Engineer (PE)s

Iowa's path to professional engineer (pe) licensure runs through board-approved instruction, 4 years of supervised work experience, and a passing score on FE Exam then PE Exam before applicants younger than 18 can be licensed. Iowa folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Bachelors Degree in Engineering".

The initial price tag is $155, and renewal costs $136 every 2 years. Maintaining the license requires 30 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

On reciprocity, professional engineer (pe)s should know: NCEES model law: recognized in most states.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
25/100
Professional Engineer (PE) · 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 N/A
N/A
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$155
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden D
$68/yr
$136 every 2 years
Continuing Education F
15.0 hrs/yr
30 hours every 2 years
Experience Required F
4 years
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Iowa

Education / Training Hours
Bachelors Degree in Engineering
Not specified
Exam Requirement
FE Exam then PE Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$155
Renewal Fee
$136
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
30 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Not Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Work Experience Required
4 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Professional Engineer (PE) 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 Professional Engineer (PE) in Iowa? ▼
Iowa's requirements cover, the FE Exam then PE Exam exam, and an initial fee of $155.
How do I get certified as a Professional Engineer (PE) in Iowa? ▼
Iowa licenses professional engineer (pe)s who complete its requirements (4 years of experience) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Iowa licensing board.
Can I transfer my Professional Engineer (PE) license to Iowa from another state? ▼
For professional engineer (pe)s, the reciprocity landscape looks like this: NCEES model law: recognized in most states. Many professions are also covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability between states. Contact the Iowa licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Iowa require a background check for Professional Engineer (PE) licensing? ▼
Iowa does not currently require a criminal background check for professional engineer (pe) licensing, though this may vary by employer or specific role.
What are the continuing education requirements for Professional Engineer (PE) in Iowa? ▼
To stay licensed as a professional engineer (pe) in Iowa, plan on 30 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $136.

Related Guides

What to do with this professional engineer (pe) license

Professional Engineer (PE) in Iowa, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a professional engineer (pe)-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Iowa's professional engineer (pe) requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Professional Engineer (PE) in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state professional engineer (pe) license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity 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.