Iowa Nursing License
How to get your Iowa nursing license
- Complete an approved nursing program (RN or LPN/LVN).
- Pass the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN examination.
- Apply to the Iowa Board of Nursing for licensure by examination or endorsement.
- Complete the required criminal background check and pay licensure fees.
- If your primary residence is Iowa, you may apply for a multistate (compact) license.
Iowa licensing at a glance
| Initial license fee | $143 (incl. background check) |
|---|---|
| Renewal fee | $99 / 3 years |
| Continuing education | 36 hours / 3 years |
| Compact (NLC) member | Yes |
Iowa RN licenses renew on a 3-year (triennial) cycle tied to your birth month, requiring 36 CE contact hours per cycle. The $143 initial-by-examination fee includes the criminal background check. eNLC member. The board site moved from nursing.iowa.gov to dial.iowa.gov.
Official resources
- Iowa Board of Nursing — apply, renew, and check requirements.
- Verify a nursing license (Nursys)
- Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) map — which states honor a multistate license.
- Directory of state boards of nursing (NCSBN)
Iowa nursing license FAQ
- Does my compact nursing license let me work in Iowa?
- Yes. Iowa is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state, so a multistate license issued by your compact home state covers practice in Iowa without a separate application.
- How much does a Iowa nursing license cost?
- The initial RN licensure fee in Iowa is $143 (incl. background check), and renewal is $99 / 3 years.
- How many continuing-education hours does Iowa require?
- Iowa requires 36 hours / 3 years for RN license renewal.
- How do I verify a Iowa nursing license?
- Verify any U.S. nursing license through Nursys, the national verification system operated by the state boards of nursing.