Iowa nursing license by endorsement
How a nurse licensed in another state gets a Iowa license by endorsement: the application fee ($119 for an RN), the steps, background check, temporary license, renewal and continuing education, with the board's own sources.
| At a glance | Iowa |
|---|---|
| Licensing board | Iowa Board of Nursing |
| Nurse Licensure Compact | Compact state |
| RN license by endorsement, application fee | $119 |
| LPN/LVN license by endorsement, application fee | $119 |
| Fingerprint background check | Required. Fingerprints via Fieldprint; $50 criminal history check fee is included in the $169 total endorsement fee. |
| Nursys license verification | Accepted |
| RN renewal cycle | Every 3 years, fee $99 |
| Continuing education per renewal | 36 contact hours. Child and dependent adult abuse mandatory reporter courses required if caring for those groups (2 contact hours each); national certification counts as 36 hours. |
How to get your Iowa license, step by step
- Check the compact first. If your primary state of residence is a compact state and you hold a multistate license, you can practice in Iowa without applying again. If you move your residence to Iowa, you apply for a Iowa license as your new home state.
- Start the application on the board's site. Use the board's licensure by endorsement page.
- Verify your license through Nursys. Request verification from each state where you are or were licensed. Boards that use Nursys receive it electronically.
- Complete the fingerprint background check. The board requires fingerprints for endorsement applicants. Follow its instructions for where to get them taken.
- Pay the fee and send documents. The application fee is $119 for an RN. Fingerprint and vendor fees can be separate. Keep copies of everything you submit.
- Tell your recruiter your status. Employers set their own start dates around licensing, so your recruiter needs to know where your application stands.
Specific to Iowa
- Only verification from original state of licensure is required, requested through Nursys where available.
- Nurse refresher course within 12 months of applying is required if no active license in any jurisdiction in prior five years.
- First renewal period is two years plus months to birth month; three-year cycle thereafter.
What RNs earn in Iowa
The BLS median for registered nurses in Iowa is $37.00 per hour, about $76,960 a year. See the full RN salary guide for Iowa.
| Metro area | Median / hr | Median / year |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IA | $39.87 | $82,920 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $37.97 | $78,970 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $36.82 | $76,590 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $36.81 | $76,560 |
| Ames, IA | $35.06 | $72,920 |
| Dubuque, IA | $34.01 | $70,740 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
RN jobs in Iowa · Iowa state guide · Nurse Licensure Compact guide · Endorsement checklist
Sources
These facts come from the Iowa Board of Nursing web pages below. Checked 2026-10-16.
- dial.iowa.gov/licenses/health-professions/nursing-professional-midwifery/ (fees, renewal fee)
- dial.iowa.gov/licenses/health-professions/nursing-professional-midwifery/ (background check, Nursys verification)
- dial.iowa.gov/licenses/health-professions/nursing-professional-midwifery/ (renewal, state notes)
- dial.iowa.gov/licenses/health-professions/nursing-professional-midwifery/ (continuing education)
- dial.iowa.gov/licenses/health-professions/nursing-professional-midwifery/ (continuing education)
Requirements change. Always confirm with the Iowa Board of Nursing before you apply or accept a start date. This guide is general information and not legal advice.
Common questions
How much does a Iowa nursing license by endorsement cost?
The Iowa Board of Nursing lists an application fee of $119 for an RN and $119 for an LPN/LVN. Fingerprint and vendor fees can be charged separately.
Is Iowa a nurse licensure compact state?
Iowa is in the Nurse Licensure Compact. A nurse whose home state is also a compact state can practice here on a multistate license.
How much continuing education do Iowa nurses need?
RN renewal requires 36 contact hours of continuing education. Child and dependent adult abuse mandatory reporter courses required if caring for those groups (2 contact hours each); national certification counts as 36 hours. Licenses renew every 3 years.
How long does it take to get a Iowa license?
The Iowa Board of Nursing does not publish a fixed time. It depends on how fast your verification and background check arrive, so apply before you accept a start date.
Does Valorem Health help with Iowa licensing?
Your recruiter tells you which license each role needs and what the facility requires. You apply to the board, and our credentialing team helps with documents for onboarding.
Moving to Iowa? See what RNs get paid near you.
Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.
- 1Pay for your role at other hospitals
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
- 3Roles open for you right now
Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.
Get your free pay report
160+ Registered Nurse roles in Iowa, sent free by email
Tell us who you are and what you do. We email the report within 24 hours on business days.
Your RN pay reportIowa · pay published by hospitals, collected October 15, 2026
1Pay for your role at other hospitals
- Veterans Health AdministrationDes Moines, IA · 6 postings$49.44/ hr$34–$67
- Select MedicalDes Moines, IA · 4 postings$44.80/ hr$37–$53
- CommonSpirit HealthCOUNCIL BLUFFS, IA · 3 postings$44.10/ hr$30–$52
- Acadia HealthcareCouncil Bluffs, IA · 2 postings$39.84/ hr$34–$46
Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published.
2What they are offering now
19 RN postings with published pay in Iowa, 15 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open now: 19 RN roles
- Registered Nurse- Community Living Center Admission CoordinatorPermanent$75k–$139k/ year
- Admissions Registered NursePermanent$34.00–$45.69/ hour
+ 17 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.