Additional Start-Up Resources

Frequently Requested License Information

• Retail Establishments Iowa Sales and Use Tax Information [www.state.ia.us/tax/] — Obtain an Iowa Sales tax permit before commencing sales.
• Iowa Division of Banking (IDOB) [www.idob.state.ia.us/] — Mortgage Bankers and Brokers information on licensing. IDOB strives to maintain a regulatory environment that assures the citizens of Iowa are provided banking and other financial services that are safe, sound, profitable, and contribute to the economic well-being of the state and its communities.
• Real Estate
  • Real Estate Salespersons & Brokers [www.state.ia.us/government/com/prof/sales/] — Online License Verification from the Iowa Professional Licensing Division.
  • Real Estate Appraisers [www.state.ia.us/government/com/prof/appraiser/] — Online License Verification from the Iowa Professional Licensing Division.
• Licensing of Professional Occupations
  • Department of Commerce, Professional Licensing and Regulation Division [www.state.ia.us/government/com/prof/home.html] — Regulates professions of architects, accountants, engineers and land surveyors, landscape architects, real estate sales, appraisers, and brokers.
  • Department of Health, Behavioral Health and Professional Licensing [www.idph.state.ia.us/bhpl/default.asp] — Coordinates 19 boards of health related activities.
  • Iowa Board of Cosmetology [www.idph.state.ia.us/licensure/board_home.asp?board=cos] — Evaluates the qualifications of applicants for licensure and grants licenses to those who qualify.
• Food and Consumer Safety
  • Department of Inspections & Appeals [www.state.ia.us/government/dia/page9.html] — Information on food establishments, food certification, and home food establishments.
  • Food and Consumer Safety Bureau [http://foodandlodgingreports.iowa.gov] — The Bureau is responsible for administering and enforcing the state's food and sanitation laws, including information on inspection reports.
• Social and Charitable Gambling [www.state.ia.us/government/dia/page10.html] — Obtain information from the Social and Charitable Gambling Unit for amusement games, contests, casino nights, and commercial promotions operated in the state, including regulations and licenses for games of skill and chance, bingo operations, raffles, and social gambling activities.
• Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division [www.iowaabd.com/] — The Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division is responsible for the regulation and control of alcohol in the State of Iowa. Iowa is one of nineteen control states that directly control the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages. In addition, the Division is responsible for the enforcement of state and federal laws and regulations regarding the sale and use of alcohol and tobacco products.
• Tobacco Licensing [www.iowaabd.com/tobacco/index.jsp] — Enforcement information on Iowa’s tobacco laws and education of Iowa’s tobacco retailers.
• Tobacco Excise Tax [www.iowaabd.com/tobacco/excisetax/index.jsp] — Information on Collection of tobacco taxes, minimum pricing requirements and licensure of tobacco distributors in Iowa.
• Contractors
  • Iowa’s Contractor Law – Registration and Bonding [www.iowaworkforce.org/labor/contractor.htm] — Register as a general contractor providing construction work.
  • Registered Contractor Search [www2.iwd.state.ia.us/contractor.nsf] — Search the Iowa Divison of Labor database for contractors registered in Iowa.

Notaries Public

• Registration [www.sos.state.ia.us/notaries/] — Register to become an Iowa Notary. Keep current on Iowa notary law and find answers to common questions.
• Search Notaries [www.sos.state.ia.us/notaries/notary_search.asp] — Search the Iowa Secretary of State database to find a notary.

Workforce

• Iowa Workforce Development [www.iowaworks.org] — Iowa Workforce Development's one-stop resource for Iowa businesses to find workforce information and solutions.
  • Child Labor and Work Permits [www.iowaworkforce.org/labor/]
• Workplace Postings [www.iowaworks.org/reqposters.htm] — Information on required and recommended postings that businesses are required by state and federal laws to display prominently in the workplace.
• Workplace Health and Safety Consultation [www.iowaworkforce.org/labor/iosh/consultation/] — Employers can learn about potential hazards at their worksites and improve their occupational safety and health management systems by using the free, confidential consultation services.
• Workplace Health and Safety Regulations [www.iowaworkforce.org/labor/iosh] — information on work place regulations.
• New Iowan Centers [www.iowaworkforce.org/centers/newiowan/] — New Iowan Centers offer workforce development services to persons who have recently moved to Iowa and are seeking employment.

Transportation

• Driver's Licenses & Identification [www.iowaworks.org] — News and information from the Iowa Department of Transportation, Office of Driver Services.

Consumer Protection

• Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division [www.state.ia.us/government/ag/consumer/] — The Consumer Protection Division protects consumers from fraud and ensures fair competition in the marketplace.
• Office of Consumer Advocate (Utilities) [www.iowa.gov/government/ag/protecting_utility/] — The Consumer Advocate's statutory responsibility is to investigate the legality of rates and practices of all utility companies subject to the jurisdiction of the Iowa Utilities Board, and to represent consumers and the public generally before state and federal agencies concerning those matters.
• Consumer Affairs Bureau, Iowa Insurance Division [www.iid.state.ia.us/about_us/consumer.asp] — The Consumer Affairs Bureau handles consumer complaints and questions from the public.
• Des Moines Better Business Bureau [www.desmoines.bbb.org/] — Better Business Bureau services include Business Reliability Reports; Dispute Resolution; Truth-in-Advertising; Consumer and Business Education; and Charity Review.