IA

Iowa Licensing Requirements

Burden Rank: #39 of 51 Low Burden
97
Professions Licensed
1,107
Avg Education Hours
$95
Avg Initial Fee
58.0
Burden Score

Agriculture

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Arborist / Tree Surgeon — Yes $50 — 3 yrs
Pesticide Applicator (Commercial) — Yes $50 — 3 yrs
Water Well Driller — Yes $50 — 3 yrs

Animal Care

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Animal Breeder — No $50 — 2 yrs
Farrier / Horseshoer — No $50 — 2 yrs
Veterinarian 4,378 Yes $176 $157 2 yrs
Veterinary Technician 1,689 Yes $88 $78 2 yrs

Construction

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Electrician 4,757 Yes $72 $58 1 yr
Elevator Installer 4,757 Yes $107 $97 2 yrs
Fire Sprinkler Installer — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
General Contractor — Yes $155 $136 2 yrs
Glazier — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
HVAC Technician 2,757 Yes $58 $49 2 yrs
Land Surveyor — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
Locksmith — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
Mobile Home Installer — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
Painter (Contractor) — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
Pest Control Applicator 8 Yes $58 $53 3 yrs
Plumber 4,757 Yes $81 $72 1 yr
Roofer — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
Security Alarm Installer — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
Septic System Installer — Yes $150 — 2 yrs

Cosmetology

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Barber 1,095 Yes $59 $35 2 yrs
Body Piercer 1,500 Yes $75 — 2 yrs
Cosmetologist 1,114 Yes $63 $37 2 yrs
Electrologist 305 Yes $58 $49 2 yrs
Esthetician 400 Yes $51 $34 2 yrs
Funeral Director / Embalmer 1,500 Yes $75 — 2 yrs
Hair Braider 1,500 Yes $75 — 2 yrs
Massage Therapist 457 Yes $70 $43 2 yrs
Nail Technician 254 Yes $48 $29 2 yrs
Tattoo Artist 1,500 Yes $75 — 2 yrs

Design

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Interior Designer — No $50 — 2 yrs
Landscape Architect — Yes $136 $118 2 yrs

Education

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Childcare Center Director 23 No $58 $49 2 yrs
Elementary School Teacher — Yes $76 $57 5 yrs
School Counselor — Yes $85 $66 5 yrs
School Librarian / Media Specialist 2,000 Yes $100 — 5 yrs
Secondary School Teacher — Yes $76 $57 5 yrs
Substitute Teacher 2,000 Yes $100 — 5 yrs

Engineering

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Professional Engineer (PE) — Yes $155 $136 2 yrs
Professional Geologist — Yes $200 — 2 yrs

Finance

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) — Yes $135 $116 2 yrs
Debt Collector — Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Insurance Agent 31 Yes $64 $54 2 yrs
Mortgage Loan Originator 20 Yes $166 $119 1 yr
Tax Preparer — Yes $100 — 2 yrs

Food & Hospitality

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Bartender / Alcohol Server — No $50 — 2 yrs
Food Handler / Food Safety Certification — No $50 — 2 yrs

Healthcare

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Athletic Trainer 2,689 Yes $88 $78 2 yrs
Certified Nurse-Midwife 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Dental Assistant 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Dental Hygienist 2,689 Yes $127 $78 2 yrs
Dietetic Technician 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) 135 Yes $53 $49 2 yrs
Hearing Aid Specialist 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Home Health Aide 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) 1,095 Yes $99 $69 2 yrs
Medical Assistant 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Medical Lab Technician 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Occupational Therapist 3,189 Yes $118 $108 2 yrs
Optician (Dispensing) 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Optometrist 4,189 Yes $155 $136 2 yrs
Paramedic 1,351 Yes $88 $78 2 yrs
Pharmacist 4,284 Yes $147 $138 2 yrs
Pharmacy Technician 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Phlebotomist 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Physical Therapist 3,189 Yes $127 $118 2 yrs
Physician Assistant 3,284 Yes $157 $147 2 yrs
Radiologic Technologist 1,932 Yes $88 $78 2 yrs
Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist — Yes $97 $88 2 yrs
Registered Nurse 2,189 Yes $108 $74 2 yrs
Respiratory Therapist 1,689 Yes $88 $78 2 yrs
Speech-Language Pathologist 3,189 Yes $127 $108 2 yrs
Surgical Technologist 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs

Legal & Security

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Armed Security Guard 22 No $68 $45 2 yrs
Court Reporter / Stenographer — Yes $75 — 4 yrs
Notary Public — Yes $75 — 4 yrs
Private Investigator 1,168 Yes $116 $107 2 yrs
Process Server — Yes $75 — 4 yrs

Mental Health

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) 3,189 Yes $108 $99 2 yrs
Licensed Professional Counselor 2,689 Yes $96 $86 2 yrs
Marriage and Family Therapist 2,689 Yes $118 $108 2 yrs
Psychologist 5,378 Yes $176 $157 2 yrs

Miscellaneous

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Amusement Ride Operator — No $50 — 2 yrs
Athletic Agent — No $50 — 2 yrs
Auctioneer 103 Yes $77 $58 2 yrs
Casino/Gaming Dealer — No $50 — 2 yrs
Sign Language Interpreter — No $50 — 2 yrs

Real Estate

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Home Inspector — No $50 — 2 yrs
Real Estate Agent / Salesperson 66 Yes $81 $71 2 yrs
Real Estate Broker 100 Yes $116 $102 2 yrs

Transportation

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Chauffeur / Limousine Driver 8 Yes $45 $35 4 yrs
Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) 190 Yes $54 $35 4 yrs
School Bus Driver 55 Yes $45 $35 4 yrs
Taxi/Ride-Share Driver — Yes $50 — 4 yrs
Tow Truck Operator — Yes $50 — 4 yrs
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice. Verify current requirements with Iowa licensing authorities.

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

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Data sourced from official state occupational-licensing board records and federal interstate compacts. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCredential Editorial