Chapter 103 of the Iowa Code defines Special Electrician as “a person having the necessary qualifications, training, and experience in wiring or installing special classes of electrical wiring, apparatus, equipment, or installations which shall include irrigation system wiring, disconnecting and reconnecting of existing air conditioning and refrigeration, and sign installation and who is licensed by the board”.

The Electrical Examining Board has created four special endorsements that authorize the licensee to engage in a limited class of work specified on the license. All work done by such licensee is subject to inspection as required in Chapter 103.23. A person who holds such license is not required to obtain an electrical contractor license in order to apply for an electrical permit to install electrical work within the limitations of their license. However, such person must be registered with the state of Iowa as a contractor pursuant to chapter 91C and maintain $1,000,000 contractor liability insurance. These four endorsements are:

Irrigation System Wiring

This endorsement authorizes the installer of center-pivot type irrigation systems to service and install all wiring from the electrical service to the irrigation equipment. The electrical service must be installed by an electrical contractor. To qualify, the applicant must have either passed a supervised examination approved by the Electrical Examining Board or have completed two years, or 4,000 hours, of documented experience in the wiring of irrigation systems.

Sign Installer

This endorsement authorizes the licensee to connect power to a sign as long as the voltage does not exceed 220 volts and the amperage does not exceed 20 amperes. Any new or upgraded branch circuit installation supplying power to the sign shall be done by an electrical contractor.

Disconnect and Reconnect of Existing
Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Systems

This endorsement authorizes the licensee to disconnect and reconnect any existing air conditioning or refrigeration system. Any new or upgraded branch circuits for such equipment must be installed by an electrical contractor. To qualify, the applicant must either have passed a supervised examination approved by the Electrical Examining Board or have completed two years of documented experience in the disconnecting and reconnecting of existing air conditioning and refrigeration systems.

License Applications

License Fees

Licensing Verification