Surgical Technologist / Iowa
2026 data Iowa board official source

Iowa Surgical Technologist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Assists in surgical operations under the supervision of surgeons.

What the Iowa data shows for Surgical Technologists

Becoming a licensed surgical technologist in Iowa means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 1,000 training hours, a passing score on a state-approved exam, plus a background history check. Iowa regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Certificate/Degree".

Budget $100 to get started on a 2-year cycle. Continuing education is not a listed requirement for this profession in Iowa, so the annualized maintenance burden is lower than in states that mandate ongoing hours.

Iowa handles out-of-state credentials on a case-by-case basis instead of a standing reciprocity list.

Licensing Ease Score

D
Licensing Ease Score
47/100
Surgical Technologist · 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 D
1,000 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee C-
$100
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden N/A
N/A
Renewal fee annualized over the renewal cycle
Continuing Education N/A
N/A
Continuing-education hours annualized over the renewal cycle
Experience Required N/A
N/A
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Iowa

Education / Training Hours
Certificate/Degree
1,000 hours
Exam Requirement
Required
Initial License Fee
$100
Renewal Fee
N/A
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Required

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Surgical Technologist 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 Surgical Technologist in Iowa? ▼
Iowa requires 1000 education/training hours, passing an exam, and an initial fee of $100. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Surgical Technologist in Iowa? ▼
Certification as a surgical technologist in Iowa means clearing the state's checklist: 1000 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Iowa licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Surgical Technologist license to Iowa from another state? ▼
Out-of-state surgical technologist credentials get a case-by-case review in Iowa rather than automatic recognition. Interstate compacts exist for a number of professions and might still help. Confirm the details with the Iowa licensing board.
Does Iowa require a background check for Surgical Technologist licensing? ▼
Yes, Iowa requires a criminal background check as part of the surgical technologist licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.

Related Guides

What to do with this surgical technologist license

Surgical Technologist in Iowa is one requirement row in a surgical technologist-wide, 50-state comparison.

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.