Official State of Iowa Website Here is how you know
Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing

DIA becomes DIAL!

On July 1, 2023, multiple programs across four agencies became part of the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIA) as a new organizational structure for state government goes into effect. DIA is now the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL). 

Fire Protection System Licensing

Fire Protection System Licensing Requirements:

The state of Iowa requires licensing for all fire extinguishing systems as defined in Iowa Code 100C and Iowa Code 100D and Administrative Rules Chapter 275 and Administrative Rules Chapter 276.  A company installing and/or testing such systems and their employees must be licensed as fire protection system contractors and technicians.

Fire protection licensing is not required for a company or technicians doing hood cleaning only (no maintenance or repairs).

 


The state of Iowa does not regulate portable fire extinguisher inspections or testing. Please check with the local jurisdictions regarding any requirements.

Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester Registration is the responsibility of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services - Bureau of Environmental Health Services.  


 

Home Base Iowa Act - Connecting Veterans to Careers and Resources

Companies:

  • All contractors who intend to work in Iowa are required to obtain a contractor license.  
  • Contractors must list at least one responsible managing employee (RME) and provide a copy of their current qualifying certification as specified in the matrix below.
  • Contractors shall obtain and maintain current registration (or obtain a written exemption) as a "construction contractor" with the Labor Services Division in compliance with Iowa Code chapter 91C and Iowa Administrative Code 875-Chapter 150.  Visit the Iowa Division of Labor - Contractor Registration for more information. 
  • Contractors must provide a copy of the most current certificate of liability insurance on the ACORD form. The ACORD form must show coverage amounts of $1M per occurrence, $1M property damage, and $500K per person.

A company that does installation and maintenance inspection must select the both endorsements for installation and maintenance inspection on the application.

RME Endorsement Qualifying Certification Options
Automatic sprinkler system installation

Professional Engineer Licensed in Iowa [or]

NICET level III or higher in Water-Based Layout

Special hazards systems installation

Professional Engineer Licensed in Iowa [or]

NICET level III or higher in Special Hazard Systems 

Preengineered dry chemical or wet agent fire suppression systems installation

Professional Engineer Licensed in Iowa [or]

NICET level II or higher in Special Hazard Systems [or]

ICC/NAFED Pre-Engineered Kitchen Fire Suppression Systems, Industrial Fire Suppression Systems, or both [or]

Certificate of Completion of Training from System Manufacturer for each system worked on

Preengineered water-based fire suppression systems in one- and two-family dwellings installation

Professional Engineer Licensed in Iowa [or]

NICET level II or higher in Special Hazard Systems [or]

Certificate of Completion of Training from System Manufacturer for each system worked on

Automatic sprinkler system maintenance inspection

Professional Engineer Licensed in Iowa [or]

NICET level II or higher in Water-Based Layout [or]

NICET level II or higher in Inspection and Testing of Water-Based Systems

Special hazards system maintenance inspection

Professional Engineer Licensed in Iowa [or]

NICET level II or higher in Special Hazard Systems 

Preengineered dry chemical or wet agent fire suppression systems maintenance inspection

Professional Engineer Licensed in Iowa [or]

NICET level I or higher in Special Hazard Systems [or]

ICC/NAFED Pre-Engineered Kitchen Fire Suppression Systems, Industrial Fire Suppression Systems, or both [or]

Certificate of Completion of Training from System Manufacturer for each system worked on

Preengineered water-based fire suppression systems in one- and two-family dwellings maintenance inspection

Professional Engineer Licensed in Iowa [or]

NICET level I or higher in Special Hazard Systems [or]

Certificate of Completion of Training System Manufacturer for each system worked on

Technicians:

  • All technicians who intend to work in Iowa are required to obtain a technician license under a licensed contractor.  They must provide a copy of their current qualifying certifications as specified in the matrix below.
  • All technician trainees who intend to work in Iowa are required to obtain a technician trainee license under a licensed contractor and be supervised 100% of the time on the job site by a licensed responsible managing employee or licensed technician licensed under the scope of work authorized by the license.  There must be one licensed RME or technician for every 3 technician trainees or apprentices.

A technician who does installation and maintenance inspection must select the both endorsements for installation and maintenance inspection on the application.

Technician Endorsement Qualifying Certification Options
Automatic sprinkler system installation

STAR Fire Sprinklerfitting Mastery [or]

NICET level I or higher in Water-Based Layout [or]

NICET level I or higher in Inspection and Testing of Water-Based Systems

Special hazards systems installation

NICET level I or higher in Special Hazards Suppression Systems

Preengineered dry chemical or wet agent fire suppression systems installation

Certificate of Completion of Training from System Manufacturer for each system worked on [or]

NICET level I or higher in Special Hazards Suppression Systems [or]

ICC/NAFED Pre-Engineered Kitchen Fire Suppression Systems, Industrial Fire Suppression Systems, or both [or]

FPC Pre-Engineered Kitchen Fire Suppression Systems

Preengineered water-based fire suppression systems in one- and two-family dwellings installation

NICET level I or higher in Special Hazards Suppression Systems [or]

Certificate of Completion of Training from System Manufacturer for each system worked on

Automatic sprinkler system maintenance inspection

STAR Fire Sprinklerfitting Mastery [or]

NICET level I or higher in Water-Based Layout [or]

NICET level I or higher in Inspection and Testing of Water-Based Systems

Special hazards system maintenance inspection

NICET level I or higher in Special Hazards Suppression Systems

Preengineered dry chemical or wet agent fire suppression systems maintenance inspection

Certificate of Completion of Training from System Manufacturer for each system worked on [or]

NICET level I or higher in Special Hazards Suppression Systems [or]

ICC/NAFED Pre-Engineered Kitchen Fire Suppression Systems, Industrial Fire Suppression Systems, or both [or]

FPC Pre-Engineered Kitchen Fire Suppression Systems

Preengineered water-based fire suppression systems in one- and two-family dwellings maintenance inspection

NICET level I or higher in Special Hazards Suppression Systems [or]

Certificate of Completion of Training from System Manufacturer for each system worked on

Installer Trainee 100% supervised by licensed technician or RME while working (1 licensed tech/RME to 3 licensed trainees) Trainee in the process of obtaining one of the required certifications to become a licensed technician for installation and/or maintenance inspection.  May only be renewed once.

Licensing Fees:

Fee Structure for Contractor License

  • $400 license fee
  • $50 for each endorsement
  • $50 for each responsible managing employee (RME)

Fee Structure for Technician License

  • $175 license fee
  • $25 for each endorsement

Fee Structure for Technician Trainee License

  • $100 license fee

 

Payments can be made online by debit/credit card or eCheck/ACH or by mailing a check or money order payable to the Dept. of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing or State of Iowa and mailed to the Dept. of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing, Attention: Alarm Licensing Administration, 215 E 7th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319-0047. 

Please visit our License Management System website to find downloadable application forms under the Forms menu.

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this form.  A free version may be downloaded from Adobe's PDF Suite website.