Iowa Code § 602.6404: Qualifications.

1. A magistrate shall be a resident of the judicial election district or a resident of a county contiguous to the judicial election district in which appointed during the magistrate’s term of office. A magistrate shall serve within the judicial district in which appointed, as directed by the chief judge, provided that the chief judge may assign a magistrate to hold court outside of the county or counties of appointment for the orderly administration of justice. A magistrate is subject to reassignment under section 602.6108.

2. A person is not qualified for appointment as a magistrate unless the person files a certified application form, to be provided by the supreme court, with the chairperson of the county magistrate appointing commission. A person is not qualified for appointment as a magistrate if at the time of appointment the person has reached age seventy-eight.

3. A magistrate shall be an attorney licensed to practice law in this state. However, a magistrate not admitted to the practice of law in this state and who is holding office on April 1, 2009, shall be eligible to be reappointed as a magistrate in the same county for a term commencing August 1, 2009, and for subsequent successive terms.