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If you want to work in the HVAC field in Iowa, you should know there are several licenses you can look into getting.
Read on to learn more details about each of these and how to become an HVAC technician.
Article Table of Contents
Becoming an apprentice
To become an apprentice, you need to find a journeyman to work under, which will help you get your license.
You also need to submit all the paperwork to the Iowa Plumbing & Mechanical Systems Board, at least 18 years old and attend an apprenticeship program.
Service Technician HVAC Specialty Certification
This allows you to repair parts of the HVAC systems in order to gain practice.
You can get this license by enrolling in any vocational school that offers a North American Technician Excellence, Inc. (NATE) certification.
Check out the schools below for this purpose.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Eastern Iowa Community College District | 306 W River Dr Davenport, Iowa 52801 |
| Hawkeye Community College | 1501 E Orange Rd Waterloo, Iowa 50701 |
| Iowa Lakes Community College | 1501 E Orange Rd Waterloo, Iowa 50701 |
| Iowa Lakes Community College | 19 S 7th St Estherville, Iowa 51334 |
| Kirkwood Community College | 6301 Kirkwood Blvd SW Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52406 |
| North Iowa Area Community College | 500 College Dr Mason City, Iowa 50401 |
| Northeast Iowa Community College-Calmar | 1625 Hwy 150 Calmar, Iowa 52132 |
| Scott Community College | 500 Belmont Rd Bettendorf, Iowa 52722 |
| Vatterott College | 7000 Fleur Drive Des Moines, Iowa 50321 |
| Western Iowa Tech Community College | 4647 Stone Ave Sioux City, Iowa 51102 |
Journeyman License
To get the journeyman license, you need:
- An experience of 4 years as an apprentice
- The required documents
- Passing the journeyman test
You don’t need to take the exam if you already have a license in another state.
Journeyman supervises apprentices, performs HVAC work under a master technician but cannot work with any unlicensed individual.
Master Level Technician Certification
This license requires 2 years of journeyman experience.
You will be allowed to perform any work on HVAC systems as well as supervise lower level technicians.
HVAC Contractor License
To become a contractor, you need:
- The required bond and insurance
- The required documents
- An active unemployment insurance number
- A steady business location
- An HVAC master level technician license or work with a master technician
If the employed master technician leaves, the Iowa Plumbing & Mechanical Systems Board must be notified of this a month before.
After that, you will have 6 months to hire another master electrician.
Exams
The apprenticeship only requires proof of being enrolled in a program.
The journeyman and master electrician licenses require a $99.00 exam fee.
The exams are managed by Kirkwood Community College.
EPA Requirements
As HVAC has numerous regulations, you should always be up to date with the latest Environmental Protection Agency guidelines.
In order to work with refrigerants, you will need an EPA Refrigerant Certification.
Salary
The average salary in Iowa for an HVAC technician is $44,642 per year, and it can reach $50,585 per year, for those at the top.
Across the United States, these workers earn on average $46,648 per year, with the highest salaries reaching $52,858 annually.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Des Moines | $45,126 |
| Cedar Rapids | $44,259 |
| Davenport | $44,058 |
| Sioux City | $38,811 |
| Waterloo | $42,169 |
| Iowa City | $43,895 |
| Council Bluffs | $44,103 |
| Ames | $44,707 |
| Dubuque | $43,739 |
| West Des Moines | $45,126 |
Regional Salary in Iowa
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ames, IA | 150 | $57,760 | $27.77 | $68,490 | $40,190 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 320 | $60,980 | $29.32 | $85,290 | $39,160 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 350 | $59,540 | $28.62 | $78,600 | $37,800 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | 1,190 | $59,730 | $28.72 | $79,650 | $37,670 |
| Dubuque, IA | 120 | $59,580 | $28.65 | $77,100 | $46,580 |
| Iowa City, IA | 180 | $60,450 | $29.06 | $76,200 | $39,590 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | 280 | $57,180 | $27.49 | $70,950 | $37,820 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | 210 | $57,350 | $27.57 | $75,330 | $37,850 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Conclusion
In order to learn more about job specification, check out the Plumbing & Mechanical Systems Board.
The site has additional info and resources that will help you start your career.
Read the full guide: How to Become an HVAC Technician
HVAC Schools by City
HVAC Schools by State