Become a Nurse in Iowa – Licensure & Requirements

Iowa Nursing Salaries

^{According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, the figures above are median annual wages for Iowa and the Des Moines-West Des Moines, Omaha NE-IA, and Cedar Rapids metropolitan areas. (BLS OEWS, May 2025 — Iowa, Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA, Omaha, NE-IA, Cedar Rapids, IA)}

There are many paths to becoming a nurse in Iowa. The path you take will mostly depend upon the type of nurse you’d like to become and your current or prospective level of education. The higher your level of education, the more opportunities you’ll have to choose where and how you pursue your career in nursing.

In addition to nursing salaries in Iowa, you’ll find information on acquiring and maintaining several types of Iowa nursing licensure. We’re constantly making updates, but with the speed of change in the healthcare sphere it’s difficult to stay current. If you have any comments or suggestions for our information on nursing in Iowa, please email us at info@nursinglicensemap.com!

Compact State Status

Iowa is a Nursing Licensure Compact state, per the Iowa Board of Nursing and the NCSBN Nurse Licensure Compact map.

Prescriptive Authority in Iowa

According to Iowa Administrative Code 481—Chapter 621, an ARNP licensed by the Iowa Board of Nursing may prescribe, administer, or dispense prescription drugs or devices, including controlled substances, within the ARNP’s role and population focus and consistent with applicable state and federal law. Prescribing, administering, or dispensing controlled substances additionally requires the ARNP to hold the applicable Iowa Board of Pharmacy Controlled Substances Act (CSA) registration and federal DEA registration.

Advanced Registered Nurse Practice (ARNP) in Iowa

^{ARNPs in Iowa include certified nurse-midwife, certified registered nurse anesthetist, certified nurse practitioner, and clinical nurse specialist (Iowa Board of Nursing).}

Education: Accredited graduate or postgraduate advanced practice educational program within one of the ARNP roles, except for applicants who completed a formal advanced-practice educational program before this requirement and hold current qualifying national certification (Iowa Administrative Code 481—621.2).

Examination: Varies for Different Certifications

Certification Required: National Certification in Specialty Area

Fees:

• $81 Application Fee
• Certification Examination Fee (Varies for Different Certifications)

(Iowa Board of Nursing fee schedule)

Additional Information: Current RN licensure is required. Nurses with a single-state RN license from their primary state of residence must obtain Iowa RN licensure by endorsement; nurses with a current multistate RN license may use that license for the ARNP application (Iowa Board of Nursing; Iowa Administrative Code 481—Chapter 621). A criminal history background check is not required for ARNP licensure.

Renewal: A total of 36 contact hours are required for licensure renewal for ARNPs. Renewal fee is $81 for each ARNP specialty area (Iowa Board of Nursing continuing education requirements; fees and fee waivers).

Learn more on how to become an advanced practice registered nurse.

Registered Nurse (RN) in Iowa

Education: Completion of an Approved Registered Nurse Program

Examination: NCLEX-RN, per the Iowa Board of Nursing

Fees:

• $93 Application Fee
• $50 Background Check Fee
• $200 Examination Fee (paid separately to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing)

(Iowa Board of Nursing fee schedule)

Endorsement: Individuals licensed as a registered nurse in another state may apply for licensure through endorsement, subject to board approval. A $169 application fee is required, which includes the criminal history background check. Registered nurses who hold an active multistate license need not apply for licensure in Iowa unless they change their primary state of residence to Iowa, in which case Nurse Licensure Compact rules require applying for Iowa licensure within 60 days (Iowa Board of Nursing licensure by endorsement).

Renewal: Every three years, RNs are required to pay $99 for renewal, due 30 days prior to the 15th of the licensee’s birthday month. A total of 36 contact hours of continuing education are also required (Iowa Board of Nursing renewals page).

Learn more on how to become a registered nurse.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Iowa

Education: Completion of an Approved Licensed Practical Nurse Program

Examination: NCLEX-PN, per the Iowa Board of Nursing

Fees:

• $93 Application Fee
• $50 Background Check Fee
• $200 Examination Fee (paid separately to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing)

(Iowa Board of Nursing fee schedule)

Renewal: Every three years, LPNs are required to pay $99 for renewal, due 30 days prior to the 15th of the licensee’s birthday month. A total of 36 contact hours of continuing education are also required (Iowa Board of Nursing renewals page).

Endorsement: Individuals licensed as a licensed practical nurse in another state may apply for licensure through endorsement, subject to board approval. A $169 application fee is required, which includes the criminal history background check. Licensed practical nurses who hold an active multistate license need not apply for licensure in Iowa unless they change their primary state of residence to Iowa, in which case Nurse Licensure Compact rules require applying for Iowa licensure within 60 days (Iowa Board of Nursing licensure by endorsement).

Learn more on how to become a licensed practical nurse.

Information disclosure:

^{Information for the nursing careers above — advanced registered practice nurse, registered nurse, and licensed practical nurse — was retrieved from Iowa Administrative Code Agency 481 (Nursing Board), Chapters 617, 619, 620, and 621, and the Iowa Board of Nursing licensing and fee pages, as of September 2026.}