Contractor Licensing

Contractor Requirements

In order to do contracting work in the City of Dubuque, Iowa, a Construction Contractor must:

1. Obtain a building, electrical, plumbing, or HVAC permit from the City of Dubuque Inspection & Construction Services Division. Inspection & Construction Services can be reached at 563.589 4150.
2. The contractor must be registered with the State of Iowa Division of Labor at 1000 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50319. The Division of Labor can be reached at either, 1.800.562.4692, 515.281.5011 or 515.281.3606.
3. If the contractor or the contractor's representative is offering their service with a door to door sales approach, they must obtain a peddler's license from and post a surety bond with the Dubuque City Clerk's Office at 50 W 13th St., Dubuque, IA 52001. The Dubuque City Clerk's Office can be reached at 563.589 4120.
4. Contractor's doing electrical, plumbing, HVAC, refrigeration, hydronics, fire sprinkler, or fire alarm system work must be licensed by the State of Iowa.
   
   

Solar Thermal License

A solar thermal license is required to purchase permits for solar thermal projects. The annual license fee is $125.

• Additional Solar Thermal License Information
  
  

Sign Contractor License

Annual licenses for sign contractors. The license fee is $150. 

• Annual Sign Contractor License Application Form
  
  

Contractor Registration and License

General, Plumbing & Mechanical Systems, and Electrical

All contractors are required to be registered with the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing.

• Contractor Registration
• Plumbing & Mechanical Systems
• Electrical Licensing & Permitting

Lead-Safe Renovators License

In April 2010, regulations impacting renovation work in pre-1978 residential housing and child-occupied facilities became effective nationwide. These rules require at least one certified lead-safe renovator per renovation and the use of specific lead-safe work practices. For more information, contact Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing. 

Fire Sprinkler and Fire Alarm Contractors

The State of Iowa Fire Marshal’s Office provides a mandatory certification program for fire alarm system contractors and fire extinguishing system contractors. For more information, contact the State of Iowa Fire Marshal’s Office at 515.281.5821.