Visit the official Iowa engineering board site
Renewal and PDH at a glance
| Renewal cycle | Biennial; renews December 31 |
|---|---|
| PDH hours required | 30 PDH per biennium |
| Ethics hours | 2 PDH |
| State laws or rules hours | Check with your board |
| Carryover | Up to 15 PDH |
| Path to a PE license | ABET-accredited engineering degree, FE exam, about four years of qualifying experience under a PE, then the PE exam |
| Firm registration | Check with your board |
| Other notes | Continuing education is required for active renewal; refer to board rules for the specific requirements. Inactive licenses prohibit practice in Iowa. |
What this means for firm owners in Iowa
Iowa PE licenses renew on this schedule: biennial; renews December 31. Each PE needs 30 PDH per biennium, including 2 PDH of ethics. Up to 15 PDH can carry forward to the next period.
Track each Iowa PE’s renewal status and continuing education. Confirm the current requirements and deadlines on the board site, then set reminders so staff can plan ahead.
When hiring a PE licensed elsewhere, confirm Iowa licensure through the board’s comity process. An NCEES Record may be relevant, but verify the application steps with the board.
Owner checklist
- Confirm each Iowa PE’s renewal deadline and required continuing education on the board site.
- Track staff renewal status and completed PDH, and confirm any ethics or state-specific hours with the board.
- For out-of-state hires, check Iowa’s comity process and whether an NCEES Record is needed.
- Confirm whether the firm must register with the board, and ensure staff with inactive licenses do not practice in Iowa.
Sources
- https://dial.iowa.gov/licenses/other-professional-licensure/engineers-land-surveyors
- https://www.pdhengineer.com/pe-continuing-education-requirements/
- https://ppi2pass.com/resources/pe-exam/pdh-requirements-by-state
