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.

Sign Contractor License

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

General Contractors Registration and License

All general construction contractors are required to be registered with the State of Iowa. For information on obtaining this registration, contact Iowa Workforce Development Labor Division.

Electrical Contractors Registration and License

State of Iowa Department of Public Safety provides a statewide licensing program for electricians.

Plumbing Contractors Registration and License

Plumbing contractors must be registered with the Iowa Department of Public Health and obtain an annual license to perform work within the state of Iowa.

Mechanical Contractors Registration and License

Mechanical contractors must be registered with the Iowa Department of Public Health and obtain an annual license to perform work within the state of Iowa.

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.