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Handyman License Requirements in Davenport, IA

By , Founder of Bulletproof Handyman · Iowa rules checked November 4, 2026 · Davenport local rules checked November 2, 2026

Davenport requires a City of Davenport General Contractor/Specialty License (City Code 15.30) to do construction contracting in the city. It is issued to an individual after an ICC/Prometric exam (70% to pass). Fees: Residential $200, Commercial $300, Sub-Specialty $100. A $25,000 or $5,000 surety bond is required depending on the license. Apply at the Permit Counter, 1200 E 46th St. Permits are pulled by a licensed and bonded contractor.

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Davenport requirements

Davenport requires a City of Davenport General Contractor/Specialty License (City Code 15.30) to do construction contracting in the city. It is issued to an individual after an ICC/Prometric exam (70% to pass). Fees: Residential $200, Commercial $300, Sub-Specialty $100. A $25,000 or $5,000 surety bond is required depending on the license. Apply at the Permit Counter, 1200 E 46th St. Permits are pulled by a licensed and bonded contractor.

Source link: davenportiowa.com · davenportiowa.com · ecode360.com · checked November 2, 2026

Local business license

Our check could not confirm this from an official page, so we don't state it. Ask the city or county office.

Local contractor or handyman license

Required

  • Name: City of Davenport General Contractor / Specialty License (City Code ch. 15.30), issued to individuals; ICC/Prometric exam (70% pass), surety bond, insurance
  • Trigger: Any construction contracting work regulated by city ordinance inside Davenport. Fees: Residential $200, Commercial $300, Sub-Specialty $100. Bond: $25,000 or $5,000 depending on license. Electrical/HVAC/plumbing licenses: no city fee, state license required.
"No person, firm, partnership or corporation shall engage in construction contracting without having a current valid license certificate issued in accordance with City Code 15.30."

Source: davenportiowa.com · checked November 2, 2026

County: Scott County

The Iowa rule

Regulator: Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL) - Contractor Registration (Division of Labor). Trades: Plumbing & Mechanical Systems Board (PMSB, Iowa Code ch. 105) and electrical licensing under Iowa Code ch. 103 (Electrical Examining Board), both within DIAL.

$2,000 a year
Iowa earnings figure

Iowa Code 91C.1(1)(a): 'a person who earns less than two thousand dollars annually or who performs work or has work performed on the person's own property is not a contractor for purposes of this chapter.' Registration is required at $2,000/yr or more ('at least $2,000'); under $2,000 is exempt. The rule is annual, not per job. Separate fee exemption (91C.1(3)): a self-employed contractor who pays no more than $2,000/yr to employ others and does not work with or for other contractors in the same phases is exempt from the fee.

What counts toward it: other: annual gross earnings from construction (not per job). The statute says 'earns less than two thousand dollars annually' and does not split labor and materials.

"Iowa law requires all individual and business construction contractors performing "construction" work to be registered with the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL) if they earn at least $2,000 a year from construction. Individuals or businesses making less than $2,000 a year on "construction" work, or who work only on their own real estate or property, are not required to register."

Source: dial.iowa.gov · legis.iowa.gov · checked November 2, 2026

State registration

Register with DIAL ($50 application fee per the DIAL page). Requirements: proof of workers' comp coverage, or a statement that it is not required. An Iowa unemployment insurance (employer or special contractor) number is required even with no employees. Out-of-state contractors must file a $25,000 surety bond or show prequalification. The DIAL page also states contractors with employees need a workers' comp certificate and a $25,000 bond. Plumbing/mechanical contractors file one joint PMSB license + registration (3-year).

Source: dial.iowa.gov · legis.iowa.gov · checked November 2, 2026

Insurance and bond

Workers' compensation per Iowa law (or a statement that it is not required). $25,000 surety bond for out-of-state contractors (91C.2(3)). Iowa's Division of Labor says contractors with employees need WC + a $25,000 bond. No state general-liability insurance requirement for registration was found.

Source: dial.iowa.gov · legis.iowa.gov · checked November 2, 2026

Forming an LLC in Iowa

State filing fee: $50.

Source: sos.iowa.gov · checked November 2, 2026

What to do, in order

  1. Read the Iowa rule and confirm with Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL) - Contractor Registration (Division of Labor). Trades: Plumbing & Mechanical Systems Board (PMSB, Iowa Code ch. 105) and electrical licensing under Iowa Code ch. 103 (Electrical Examining Board), both within DIAL..
  2. Line up the Davenport items listed on this page.
  3. Get your insurance and rate in place before the first paid job.

Nearby places

Rules change. This page shows what official sources said on the dates above. It is not legal advice.