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The state of Iowa requires licensing for all commercial explosive contractors and blasters as defined in Iowa Code 101A and Administrative Rules Chapter 235. A company engaged in the manufacture, importation, distribution, sale or commercial use of explosives and their employees must be licensed as commercial explosive contractors and blasters.
Explosive Material User Permit (for County Sheriff/Chief of Police use only) PDF Form
- Complaints regarding unlicensed commercial explosive contractors and/or blasters should be directed to the State Fire Marshal Division.
- Complaints regarding detonation of explosives should be directed to the county sheriff or chief of police in the jurisdiction where blasting occured.
Licensing program requirement highlights:
- All contractors who intend to work in Iowa are required to obtain a commercial explosive contractor license.
- A national criminal history background check is required on all responsible persons and employee possessors who are not licensed as commercial explosive blasters.
- Contractors must license at least one commercial explosive blaster.
- All blasters who intend to work in Iowa are required to obtain a commercial explosive blaster license under a licensed contractor. They must provide a copy of their current qualifying certification as specified in the matrix below.
- All blasters renewing a license in Iowa are required to provide proof of continuing education as specified in the matrix below.
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- Fee Structure for Contractor License
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- $60 license fee (prorated monthly)
- $35 criminal history background check for each listed responsible person and employee possessor
- Fee Structure for Blaster License
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- $60 license fee (prorated monthly)
- $35 criminal history background check
- Application Forms
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Application Packets:
- Commercial Explosive Contractor Application Packet (includes application, responsible person or employee possessor criminal history screening question, waiver agreement and statement forms)
- Commercial Explosive Blaster Application Packet (includes application, criminal history screening question, waiver agreement and statement forms)
- ADD Responsible Person or Employee Possessor Packet (includes responsible person or employee possessor criminal history screening question, waiver agreement and statement forms)
Individual Forms:
- Commercial Explosive Contractor Application Form
- Responsible Person or Employee Possessor Criminal History Screening Form
- Commercial Explosive Blaster Application Form
- Commercial Explosives Blaster Criminal History Screening Form
- Commercial Explosive Blaster Work Experience Affidavit (**NEW license applicants: for use in meeting qualifying certification requirements)
- Commercial Explosive Blaster Additional Work Experience Affidavit (**renewal license applicants: for use in meeting qualifying certification requirements)
- Waiver Agreement and Privacy Act Statement Form
- Example of completed fingerprint card
- Military Education, Training, or Service Credit Application Form
- Verification of License in Other Jurisdiction Form
- Related Work Experience Affidavit (**for new license applicants establishing residency in Iowa)
- Blaster Qualifying Certification Matrix
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Blaster Endorsement Qualifying Certification Option(s) Commercial Explosive Blaster (new license applicant) Satisfactory completion of training in the use and handling of explosives by the employer or reputable third party knowledgeable about the storage, handling, and use of explosives [or]
Completed on-the-job training affidavit documenting 640 hours or more of experience provided by the blaster's employer [or]
Copy of a current blaster license issued by another state with comparable licensing requirements [or]
Satisfactory completion of an applicable training or testing program that has been approved by the state fire marshal prior to application
- for the International Society of Explosives Engineers webinar, all 4 blaster webinars are required
Commercial Explosive Blaster (renewal license applicant) Completed continuing education from a nationally recognized institution for professional explosives storage, handling, and use [or]
Copy of a current blaster license issued by another state with comparable licensing requirements [or]
Completed additional on-the-job training affidavit documenting 16 hours or more of continued work experience provided by the blaster's employer [or]
Satisfactory completion of an applicable training or testing program that has been approved by the state fire marshal prior to application
- for the International Society of Explosives Engineers webinars, retraining completion of at least 1 webinar
Payments can be made online by debit/credit card or eCheck/ACH or by mailing a check or money order payable to the Iowa State Fire Marshal Division and mailed to Iowa State Fire Marshal Division, Attention: SFM Licensing Administration, 215 E 7th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319.