How Do I Apply for an ARNP license?

Licensure with the Iowa Board of Nursing at the advanced level permits the nurse to use the title Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) and authorizes the nurse to prescribe substances or devices. ARNPs shall have the authority to prescribe when engaged in the practice of a nursing specialty regulated under the rules adopted by the Board of Nursing.

For additional licensure information, please visit our Nursing Licensure page.

1

Hold an active Registered Nurse (RN) license

Current licensure as a registered nurse is mandatory for advanced nursing practice.

  • If you are not a current registered nurse, you must apply for licensure by examination.
  • If you have a single-state license from your primary state of residence,  you must endorse into Iowa.
  • If you are a current registered nurse with a multi-state license, you may use that to apply for your ARNP license.

For questions please email us at: ibn@dial.iowa.gov

Steps to apply by examination Steps to apply by endorsement
2

ARNP Certification

An advanced level certification by a national professional nursing certifying body, recognized by the Board, is required for licensure as an advanced registered nurse practitioner. You must be licensed in all the population foci that you serve. The approved certifying bodies are:

  • American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
  • American Association of Critical Care Nurses
  • American Midwifery Certification Board
  • American Nurses Credentialing Center
  • National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists
  • National Certification Corporation
  • Pediatric Nursing Certification Board

You must provide documentation of your certification with your application.

Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 621
3

Apply for ARNP Licensure

  • Complete an Iowa Board of Nursing ARNP application through our online portal and pay the fee of $81. This fee is non-refundable.
  • Information regarding any criminal offense(s), out of state discipline, and Iowa Board discipline must be submitted. 
Access the Licensing Portal
4

Check Your Application Status

If you would like to see the status of your application, visit our online portal and log into your account. Select “Licensing Services” and then “Check the Status of an Application in Process.”

Board of Nursing Online Portal
5

CSA and DEA Registrations

Registration as a practitioner with the Iowa Board of Pharmacy and the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) are required for an ARNP to procure, administer, prescribe, and/or dispense controlled substances (up to schedule II) within the scope of their recognized specialty.

To obtain a Controlled Substance Act (CSA) registration with the Iowa Board of Pharmacy the provider must be licensed as an ARNP. To learn more and apply, visit the CSA Registration website. 

Please note: An Iowa CSA registration is required when remotely prescribing controlled substances for patients located in Iowa regardless of the DEA's temporary telehealth flexibilities.