License Renewals

Overview

The board issues licenses by endorsement and examination for a 24- to 36-month period.

License renewals are on a three-year renewal cycle. Expiration is the 15th day of the licensee’s birth month. A licensee may renew up to 60 days before the license expiration date. For example: if a license expires on January 15th, that license can be renewed as early as November 15th.

The renewal period begins the 16th of the birth month, and runs until the nurse renews their license. The first renewal period for licensees will be two years plus the number of months to their birth month. Thereafter, the licensee renews every three years.

The requirement is 36 contact hours of continuing education to renew any license. For more information, visit our Continuing Education page.

For questions, email us at ibon.renewal@iowa.gov 

Instructions for Registered Nurses/Licensed Practical Nurses

• Go to IBON Online Services.
• Choose "Renew an Existing License" and follow all steps.

Please check the Online Verification System to determine your license expiration date.

Licensees can renew online through our website, using MasterCard, VISA, or Discover.

Note: Iowa law requires completion of the renewal 30 days before expiration. The board has elected to not impose a monetary penalty for missing this deadline.

To Renew Licensure as an ARNP in Iowa:

• Renewal shall be for the same period of licensure to practice as a registered nurse. See the Licensure information above for more details.
• There must be documentation of current time-dated, advanced level certification by an appropriate national certifying body.
• Send proof of your Opioid Prescribing continuing education document, if applicable.

For questions, email us at ARNPREN@iowa.gov

Processing Time

Processing begins once all required documents are received. You can check the status of your renewal through IBON Online Services.

Late Renewals

Renewals received after the 15th of the birth month are late renewals. There is a 30-day grace period where licensees may still renew. Board of Nursing rules do not prohibit the practice of nursing during the 30-day grace period. Employers may prohibit practice during this time frame.

Licensees may take continuing education courses during the 30 days after expiration. Anyone renewing late may be audited.

If renewing during the grace period, licensees will be charged both the $99 renewal fee and a $50 late fee. The date received in the Board office is the date used to determine if the renewal is late. The postmarked date on the envelope is not taken into consideration.

Board staff does not have the authority to waive the $50 late fee. 

Retiring Nurses

If you are retiring and do not plan to use your license, you can choose not to renew it when it is time. Your license will then become inactive.  If in the future you decide to use your license again, you can reactivate the license.  If you need to reactivate your license, follow the instructions on our Reactivating a License page.

Iowa Nurse Assistance Program

Information about the Iowa Nurse Assistance Program (INAP) is available here.