2025 IPTA Annual Meeting and Conference

The Iowa Permit Technicians Association will be holding our annual membership meeting and conference in Altoona, IA on November 13-14. This year offers two one-day courses Plan Review for Permit Techs and Residential Blue Print Reading for Permit Techs taught by instructor Mary Dickson. Each of these courses is 7 contact hours and offers 0.7 CEUs. These courses would be especially beneficial to those looking to sharpen their over-the-counter plan review skills and then dive deeper into the aspects of reviewing a single-family dwelling.  Building, Planning, or Zoning Department personnel and anyone else looking for ways to support their fellow Building Departments are welcome.

You can register at Eventbrite here starting September 18.  Purchase of the two-day ticket to the conference also includes a complimentary 2026 ITPA membership.

Need help getting approval to attend?
Printable Brochure: Show Your Supervisor the Value of IPTA
Please Note: Be sure to print double-sided (flip on short edge) for correct orientation.

Plan Review for Permit Techs

Are you a permit tech who wants to sharpen your over-the-counter plan review skills? Do pool, deck, and garage plans cross your counter, and you want a better understanding of what to look for (and what you are looking at) in each submittal? This one-day class is designed to provide basic plan review experience for the Permit Tech who wants to perform reviews at the counter. Topics of discussion will include: Basic blueprint reading, scales, construction and inspection terminology. Reviews will include: Gas pipe sizing, pools and spas, decks and patios, carport and garage conversions, and basic understanding of electrical, mechanical, and plumbing. Students must bring the International Residential Code, architectural and engineering scales, and a calculator. Experience Level-Entry- Intermediate

Class Objectives:

• Reading of scales
• Understanding basic structural concepts and terms
• Calculating areas and fees
• Gaining confidence
• Reading charts and tables
• Identifying complete (and incomplete) submittals

Residential Blue Print Reading for Permit Techs

Are you a permit tech or a building, rental, or code compliance inspector who is interested in learning what goes into a residential plan review? This one-day class will cover in depth the construction aspects of a two-story single family residence. Participants will review actual construction documents and research the IRC in depth. A full understanding of measurements, symbols, legends and details, locating information in the specifications, how to calculate area, and the reading of truss and structural calculations will be covered. This review will include egress, light and ventilation, size and headroom requirements for stairways, reading structural tables, and how to recognize possible structural issues. Please bring to class the International Residential Code and a calculator.

Experience Level-Entry- Intermediate

Class Objectives:

• Basic comprehension of architectural plans
• Relating prints to actual construction
• Confidence in researching the IRC
• Knowledge in purpose behind the codes
• Understanding structural and construction terminology
• Recognition of architectural symbols, lines and dimensions
• Determination of plan completeness
• Understanding supplemental information

Day 1 – November 13th: 7:30AM – 4:30PM

7:30am-8:00am: Annual IPTA Membership Meeting

8:00am-12:00pm: Education Session – Plan Review for Permit Techs

12:00pm-1:00pm: Networking lunch

1:00pm-4:00pm: Educational Session continued

5:30PM: Optional Social Hour (Dinner on your own. Details given at end of afternoon session.)

Day 2 – November 14th 8:00AM – 4:00PM

8:00am-12:00pm: Education Session – Residential Blue Print Reading for Permit Techs

12:00pm-12:30pm: Working Box Lunch

12:30pm-4:00pm: Education Session Continued and Closing Remarks