Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals

The Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIA) is a multifaceted regulatory agency charged with protecting the health and safety of Iowans. The agency is responsible for inspecting, licensing and/or certifying health care providers and suppliers, restaurants and grocery stores, social and charitable gambling operations, hotels and motels, and barber and beauty shops. In addition, DIA staff investigates alleged fraud in the State's public assistance programs and conducts contested case hearings to settle disputes between Iowans and various state government agencies.

The Department was created in 1986 to coordinate and conduct various audits, appeals, hearings, inspections, and investigations related to the operations of the executive branch of state government. Its statutory authority is found in Iowa Code chapter 10A.

DIA is organized into four major divisions, each with its own specific duties and responsibilities. Overseeing the daily operation of the agency is the Administration Division, which includes the Director's Office and staff. The Director's Office sets policy for the Department and is responsible for coordinating DIA's various programs and functions. The four main divisions within the Department are:

Administration Division/Director's Office
Administrative Hearings Division
Health Facilities Division
Investigations Division

Included in the Administration Division are four major program areas. Pages within this web site are devoted to providing detailed information about these programs, which include:

Food and Consumer Safety

Registered Amusement Devices

Social and Charitable Gambling
Targeted Small Business Certification

Administratively-Attached Units
Attached to the Department for administrative support purposes are four units. Each unit, like DIA's major divisions, has Code-mandated duties and responsibilities. The administratively-attached units include:

Child Advocacy Board
Employment Appeal Board
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
State Public Defender's Office

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To contact us:

Lucas State Office Building

321 East 12th Street

Des Moines, IA 50319-0083

Phone: 515-281-7102

Fax: 515-242-6863

Email: WEBMASTER@DIA.IOWA.GOV