Iowa Nursing License Requirements: RN, LPN

Overview

The board derives its legal authority for regulating and enforcing regulations for nursing education, nursing practice, and continuing education for nurses under the provisions of Iowa Code chapters 17A, 147, 152m and 272C. The mission of the board is to protect the public health, safety and welfare by regulating the licensure of nurses, the practice of nurses, nursing education and continuing education.

Registered Nursing (RN) & Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Licensure by Examination

Applicants Must Meet the Following Requirements:

  • Graduation from a board-approved RN or LPN nursing program. (RN Program applicants or RN graduates who did NOT complete or graduate from an LPN Program are NOT eligible to take the LPN Examination.)
  • Prior to issuing the license, any past felony convictions or record of prior disciplinary action, regardless of jurisdiction, must be reviewed and approved by the board.
  • Passing NCLEX examination as prescribed by the board.
  • Completed Application for Exam (either Online or on Paper)
  • Two Completed Fingerprint Cards and Signed Waiver Form. (All applications will be returned if received without the Fingerprint Cards.)
  • Pay appropriate fees. Fee for first time applicants is $93 for the processing the exam application, plus $50.00 for processing the fingerprint cards, for a total of $143. Fees can be remitted online by credit card or on paper by personal check, business check, money order, or cashier’s check.  (For security reasons, we do not take credit card numbers over the phone.)

Note: All fees are nonrefundable.

  • Official Transcripts from the School of Nursing denoting date of graduation and degree conferred. Transcripts must be mailed hard copy by the school.
  • A separate application must be submitted online directly to NCLEX, including a fee of $200.  The NCLEX must be completed online at NCLEX On-Line. 

NOTE: It is very important to completely read the instructions within the NCLEX Candidate Bulletin.

  • The application itself and the waiver form can be:
      • Accessed through IBON Online Services
      • Obtained from the nursing school
      • Downloaded from this website
      • Requested on paper from the Iowa Board of Nursing by sending an email, or by phone to 515.281.4826.
  • Fingerprint cards are required for first time testers and those who are re-taking the exam more than 12 months after the initial application was received. The cards can be obtained from:
      • The nursing school
      • Some local police stations or sheriff’s offices.  Contact them to determine whether they have the Blue Applicant Fingerprint Cards available.
      • The Iowa Board of Nursing by sending an email, or by phone to 515.281.4826.

PLEASE NOTE: To avoid confusion if NOT submitting Online –PLEASE submit Iowa Application for Exam, Fingerprint Cards, Waiver Form and fee ($143) within the same envelope to the Iowa Board of Nursing.

  • Exam applications are valid for the dates indicated on the Authorization to Test (90 days). If your Authorization to Test expires you will be required to re-submit both applications and fees.
  • Exam applications MUST be completed with Black or Blue Ink.

NOTE: To find out the status of your application go to the IBON Online Services (nursing.iowa.gov) and choose – “Check the Status of an Application in Process” prior to calling the Nursing Board office.

Examination Forms Available to Print:

 

Registered Nursing (RN) & Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Licensure by Endorsement

Applicants Must Meet the Following Requirements:

  • Graduation from a board-approved RN or LPN nursing program. (RN Program applicants or RN graduates who did NOT complete or graduate from an LPN Program are NOT eligible to take the LPN Examination.)
  • Prior to issuing the license, any past criminal convictions or record of prior disciplinary action, regardless of jurisdiction, must be reviewed and approved by the board.
  • Passing the appropriate (RN or LPN) NCLEX examination as prescribed by the board.
  • Completed Application for Licensure by Endorsement (either Online or on Paper)
  • Two Completed Fingerprint Cards and Signed Waiver Form.
  • Total fee of $169, payable to the Iowa Board of Nursing.  Fees can be remitted online by credit card or on paper by personal check, business check, money order, or cashier’s check.  (For security reasons, we do not take credit card numbers over the phone.)

Note:  All fees are nonrefundable.

  • Official transcript sent directly from the School of Nursing, denoting date of graduation and degree conferred.  (Faxed or electronic transcripts do not meet requirements.)

The application can be:

  • Accessed through IBON Online Services (Fingerprint cards and waiver form will be sent automatically.)
  • Requested on paper from the Iowa Board of Nursing by sending an email, or by phone to 515.281.4826.  (Fingerprint cards and waiver form will be included with the application.)

Fingerprint cards can also be obtained from some local police stations or sheriff’s offices.  Contact them directly to determine whether they have the Blue Applicant Fingerprint Cards available.

PLEASE NOTE: To avoid confusion if NOT submitting Online –PLEASE submit Iowa Application for Exam, Fingerprint Cards, Waiver Form and fee ($143) within the same envelope to the Iowa Board of Nursing.

NOTE: To find out the status of your application go to IBON Online Services and choose – “Check the Status of an Application in Process” prior to calling the Nursing Board office.

Foreign Educated Applicants Must Provide:

  • A Social Security Number when applying for license by endorsement.  If a Social Security Number is not available, the applicant will need to submit the documentation that allows them access to the United States.
  • If neither has been completed apply for the Professional Report (full education course-by-course report requirements) of the CGFNS Credentials Evaluation Service (CES) for practical nurse and registered nurse applicants must be submitted to the Iowa Board of Nursing.
  • If the full education course-by-course report requirements or the Professional Report of the CGFNS Credentials Evaluation Service (CES) has been completed apply for the Re-evaluation of a Full Education Course-By-Course Report or Professional Report must be submitted to the Iowa Board of Nursing.
  • If the certificate program was completed through CGFNS apply for the Verification of certificate letter to be submitted to the Iowa Board of Nursing.
  • A valid license/registration must be held in the original country.
  • The English language proficiency exam is not required as part of the report

Endorsement Forms Available to Print:

For more information visit the official Iowa Board of Nursing website.

References:

https://nursing.iowa.gov/licensure

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