50-State Engineering Licensing Compliance Guide
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Iowa Engineering Industry Licensing

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Licensing requirements for engineering industry firms and individuals in Iowa.

This page provides an overview of engineering industry licensing in Iowa for individuals and firms. You will find state requirements, application fees, filing instructions, and more. For assistance with licensing, please contact us to learn about our software and managed license services.

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Company Licenses

Iowa Engineering Company Licenses

Iowa Engineering Firm License

Not required



Engineering Firm licensure is not required on the State level in Iowa.

Firm licenses are not issued at the state level, however, a licensed individual must oversee all engineering work. Firms should consult board rules and state statutes before doing business.

More information: Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing - Licensing Division - Engineering & Land Surveying Examining Board
Law:

Iowa Code § 542B.26

Eligible Entity Types:
  • Business Corporations
  • Professional Corporations
  • Limited Liability Companies
  • Professional Limited Liability Companies
  • Partnerships
Ownership Requirements:

Business Corporations:

  • At least one of the owners or full-time employees of the firm must be an Iowa licensed engineer.

Professional Corporations:

  • At least one of the owners or full-time employees of the firm must be an Iowa licensed engineer.

Limited Liability Companies:

  • At least one of the owners or full-time employees of the firm must be an Iowa licensed engineer.

Professional Limited Liability Companies:

  • At least one of the owners or full-time employees of the firm must be an Iowa licensed engineer.

Partnerships:

  • At least one of the partners or full-time employees of the firm must be an Iowa licensed engineer.

Iowa Geology Firm License

Not required



Geoscience Firm licensure is not required on the State level in Iowa.

Iowa Land Surveying Firm License

Not required



Land Surveying Firm licensure is not required on the State level in Iowa.

Firm licenses are not currently required, however, individual surveyors should register with the Bureau of Professional Licensing.

More information: Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing - Licensing Division - Engineering & Land Surveying Examining Board

Individual Licenses

Iowa Individual Engineering Licenses

Iowa Geologist License

Not required



Professional Geoscientist licensure is not required on the State level in Iowa.

Iowa Land Surveyor License

Agency:Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing - Licensing Division - Engineering & Land Surveying Examining Board

Exam Application
Principles and Practice of Land Surveying Exam

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$100

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$100 license fee prorated at 6-month intervals + $15 certificate fee

Notes:

After completing the necessary exams, applicants can apply for a license.

Reciprocal Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$150 application fee + $15 certificate fee 

Notes:

Comity applicants may submit the NCEES record in lieu of providing references, verifications, transcripts, and employment history.

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$100

Due:

Biennially by December 31. Certificates issued in even-numbered years expire in odd-numbered years; those issued in odd-numbered years expire in even-numbered years.

Iowa Professional Engineer License

Agency:Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing - Licensing Division - Engineering & Land Surveying Examining Board
Exam Required?Yes
Allow Digital Signatures?Yes
Digital Signature Guidelines:

6.1(9) Secure electronic signature. An electronic signature as defined in or governed by Iowa Code chapter 554D meets the signature requirements of this rule if it is protected by a security procedure, as defined in Iowa Code section 554D.103(14), such as digital signature technology. It is the licensee’s responsibility to ensure, prior to affixing an electronic signature to an engineering or land surveying document, that security procedures are adequate to (1) verify the signature is that of a specific person and (2) detect any changes that may be made or attempted after the signature of the specific person is affixed.

IAC 193C—6.1(9)

Allow Digital Sealing?Yes
Digital Sealing Guidelines:

6.1(8) Computer-generated seals may be used on final original documents.

IAC 193C—6.1(8)

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$100 license fee prorated at 6-month intervals + $15 certificate fee

Original Ink:Not required
Notarization Required?:Not required
Notes:

After completing the necessary exams, applicants can apply for a license.

Reciprocal Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$150 license fee + $15 certificate fee

Notes:

Comity applicants may submit the NCEES record in lieu of providing references, verifications, transcripts, and employment history.

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$100

Due:

Biennially by December 31. Certificates issued in even-numbered years expire in odd-numbered years; those issued in odd-numbered years expire in even-numbered years.

Learn about engineering licensing in other states:

Design Firm - Engineering firm registration is sometimes grouped with architecture and land surveying on a single “design firm” application form.

EI (Engineering Intern) - A term also used to describe an Engineer in Training.

EIT (Engineer in Training) - A professional designation granted upon having completed at least 3 years of school at an ABET-accredited university and having passed the FE exam.

FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) - An exam testing on basic engineering principles that is required to become an engineer in training.

PE (Professional Engineer or 'Principles and Practice in Engineering') - Means either Professional Engineer or refers to the Principles and Practice in Engineering exam that is a prerequisite for an engineering license.

Reciprocity - When a licensed engineer in one state can provide documentation (often an NCEES Record) to more easily apply for a license in another jurisdiction.

Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
Accrediting board that sets standards for university programs in a variety of applied science disciplines.

American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC)
Engineering, architecture, and land surveying advocacy group.

American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Organization that provides continuing education, professional conferences, and advocacy efforts to the civil engineering community.

American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
Mechanical engineering organization that focuses on education and professional development.

Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC)
Reviews accreditation requirements and makes final decisions regarding the accreditation process.

National Council of Examiners for Engineering & Surveying (NCEES)
Develops, administers, and scores the exams used for engineering licenses.

National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)
NSPE is an advocacy group for professional engineers.