Blog

Heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), and refrigeration professionals provide essential services for homeowners and businesses in Iowa. With the right skills and experience, you can help to ensure comfortable living and working spaces and assist with refrigeration equipment and systems used for food preservation and processing.

This skilled trade offers the opportunity for stable work with good pay, as well as opportunities to advance in your career and potentially even become your own boss. However, you will first have to obtain proper licensure from the Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board. What steps do you need to take to secure your HVAC/refrigeration license?

Types of HVAC/Refrigeration Licenses

Like most states, Iowa offers different levels of licensure for skilled trades. As an HVAC/refrigeration professional, you may hold either a journeyperson or master license. With a journeyperson HVAC/refrigeration license, you will be permitted to design, install, and repair plumbing, HVAC, mechanical, refrigeration, hydronic systems, and sheet metal — with the supervision of a master license holder.

A master HVAC/refrigeration professional is involved in the planning and execution of design, installation, and repair services related to HVAC/refrigeration systems and equipment. They are also responsible for supervising journeyperson professionals. A master license denotes familiarity with the rules and laws related to such activities.

Requirements to Obtain a License

Before obtaining an HVAC/refrigeration license, you must be 18 or older and supply paperwork for any criminal convictions. If you have a felony conviction, the board will conduct a review to determine whether you are eligible for a license.

From there, journeyperson applicants must provide proof of hands-on experience as an apprentice, specifically with an apprenticeship training program approved by the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship. Alternatively, you may present an equivalent master-level license from another jurisdiction.

Master applicants who have already obtained a journeyperson license in Iowa must provide proof of two years of work experience as a journeyperson or provide an equivalent master license from another jurisdiction. Finally, applicants must pass a state trade exam.

State Exams

The Journeyperson HVAC/Refrigeration with Gas Exam is an open-book test containing 75 questions on the following topics:

• HVAC principles, terms, administration, and safety
• HVAC installation requirements
• Venting, combustion, and gas piping
• Boilers, ducts, and electricals
• Refrigeration term systems operation

You will have three hours to complete this test, and you must answer at least 75% of the questions (57) correctly to pass. 

The Master HVAC/Refrigeration with Gas Exam features 100 questions on topics like:

• HVAC terms, principles, and administration
• Venting, duct, and combustion air
• HVAC installation
• HVAC electrical
• Gas piping
• Refrigeration term systems operation
• Boilers, exhaust, and fire protection

You will have four hours to complete this exam, and you must answer a minimum of 75 questions correctly to pass.

Best Practices for Passing Your Exam

If you want to pass your exam on the first try, your best bet is to choose a state-approved exam prep program designed for working professionals. Look for courses created by industry experts and educators with 24/7 online access for self-paced learning.

Are you interested in obtaining your journeyperson or master HVAC/refrigeration license in Iowa? Contact RocketCert now to get started.