Nursing Schools and Licensing Requirements in Iowa

Iowa nurses must graduate from a recognized RN program to be eligible for a license. They then need to:

• Submit an application to sit for the licensure exam, fill out fingerprint cards and sign a waiver form for a background check, and pay a $143 fee for application and fingerprint processing
• Arrange for their nursing program to mail official transcripts directly to the Iowa Board of Nursing
• Simultaneously register to take the NCLEX-RN with the test administrator, Pearson VUE, and pay a $200 fee

Upon receipt of all materials by the state and Pearson VUE, applicants will receive authorization to test (ATT). They then have 90 days to schedule and pass the exam. Applicants who do not pass can reapply with the state and Pearson VUE to retake the exam.

Holders of RN licenses for another state can apply for licensure by endorsement. This requires a separate application, but a background check and waiver form are still required. Fees are slightly higher, adding up to $169. Applicants must also verify their original license, which can be done for many via NURSYS.com.

Nursing licenses must be renewed online every three years between 30 and 60 days before the expiration date. The expiration date falls on the 15th of the nurse’s birth month. The fee is $99. During renewal, veteran nurses must be able to document 36 contact hours of continuing education; nurses who are renewing their Iowa license for the first time must document 24 hours.

Nurse practitioners must first have an RN license from Iowa or a compact state before they can get an advanced registered nurse practitioner license, a title that encompasses 37 categories of health providers. Once they graduate from a master’s or advanced practice program in the specialty and get certified by a recognized national body in the specialty, they can apply to be a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse midwife, or certified registered nurse anesthetist. To apply they must:

• Fill out an application
• Pay $81
• Verify their RN license (if held outside of Iowa)
• Prove they are currently certified in the specialty
• Have official transcripts mailed to the Iowa Board of Nursing
• Report any criminal offenses

Iowa does not issue temporary licenses to ARNPs, so it is vital to begin this process well in advance of starting to practice as an ARNP.

For renewal, advanced registered nurse practitioners must renew their RN licenses before renewing their advanced practice licenses. ARNPs do not need to do continuing education credits to renew their license beyond what is required by their national certifying body. Some advanced practice nurses, however, must do two hours of training every five years on reporting of child abuse.

The Iowa Board of Nursing offers more detailed information on Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner Licensure. Visit the site for application forms, information on Compact renewal, and FAQs.