Registered Nurse / Iowa
2026 data Iowa board official source

Iowa Registered Nurse License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

State-board requirements, fees, and renewal cycle drawn from official regulator records.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Provides patient care, administers medications, and coordinates with physicians. Requires NCLEX-RN exam.

What the Iowa data shows for Registered Nurses

Iowa sets the entry bar for registered nurses at 2,189 training hours and a passing score on NCLEX-RN. A background check is a standard part of the process, and applicants must be 18 or older. The credential is administered under Iowa's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Associate or Bachelor of Science in Nursing".

Budget $73 to get started, plus $73 at each renewal on a 3-year cycle; processing typically runs about 3 weeks once your application is complete. Maintaining the license requires 36 hours of continuing education per 3-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

For registered nurses, the reciprocity picture is: NLC Compact: 41 states allow multistate practice.

Licensing Ease Score

C-
Licensing Ease Score
51/100
Registered Nurse · Iowa

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
2,189 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee D
$108
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden B-
$37/yr
$74 every 2 years
Continuing Education F
15.0 hrs/yr
30 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Iowa

Education / Training Hours
Associate or Bachelor of Science in Nursing
2,189 hours
Exam Requirement
NCLEX-RN
Required
Initial License Fee
$108
Renewal Fee
$74
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Processing Time
After complete application submitted
3 wks
Continuing Education
30 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Compare fees across all states for Registered Nurse →

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Registered Nurse All Iowa licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Iowa licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Registered Nurse in Iowa? ▼
In Iowa, the license path calls for 2189 education/training hours, a passing score on NCLEX-RN, and a $108 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Registered Nurse in Iowa? ▼
Iowa licenses registered nurses who complete its requirements (2189 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Iowa licensing board.
Can I transfer my Registered Nurse license to Iowa from another state? ▼
Here's how reciprocity typically plays out for registered nurses: NLC Compact: 41 states allow multistate practice. Many occupations are additionally covered by interstate licensing compacts that ease cross-state moves. Check with the Iowa licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Iowa require a background check for Registered Nurse licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the registered nurse licensing process in Iowa. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.
What are the continuing education requirements for Registered Nurse in Iowa? ▼
To stay licensed as a registered nurse in Iowa, plan on 30 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $74.
How much does it cost to get a Registered Nurse license in Iowa? ▼
The initial licensing fee in Iowa is $73. The renewal fee is $73 every 3 years. Processing typically takes 3 weeks after submitting your complete application.
How long does Registered Nurse license processing take in Iowa? ▼
In Iowa, license processing for registered nurses typically takes approximately 3 weeks after your complete application is submitted. Processing times may vary based on application volume and completeness of documentation.

Related Guides

What to do with this registered nurse license

Registered Nurse in Iowa, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a registered nurse-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Iowa's registered nurse requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Registered Nurse in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state registered nurse license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Iowa's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Iowa overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Iowa licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.