“Third-Party Logistics Provider” or “3PL” means an entity that provides or coordinates warehousing or other logistics services of a product in interstate commerce on behalf of a manufacturer, wholesale distributor, or dispenser of a product, but does not take ownership of the product nor have the responsibility to direct the sale or other disposition of the drug.
For more information, see Iowa Administrative Code 657 Chapter 43.
How to Apply
Apply Online
A valid credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, or Discover) is required for online renewal. There will be a $2.00 convenience fee charged for online renewal and payment.
The renewal certificate will be mailed within a few days of the online renewal.
- Online Initial Application for New 3PL Applications (This application should only be used by applicants that have never been licensed in Iowa, at the facility's current location, as a 3PL.)
- Online License Renewal Portal
Apply by Mail
Submit the completed application with any required documentation and a check or money order payable to the Iowa Board of Pharmacy for the nonrefundable fee.
Required Documents
- Most Recent Inspection Report
- Proof of VAWD accreditation
- Acknowledgement and Attestation form (completed by Facility Manager)
New 3PL Applicants
Please familiarize yourself with the applicable rules and laws regarding 3PL facilities prior to the submission of any application. An application will be considered complete upon receipt of all required information as determined by the Board, applicable fees and documents, and a completed background check packet.
Each entity, wherever located, that provides third-party logistics services of prescription drugs as defined by federal law in or into Iowa shall obtain a 3PL license in accordance with state law and rules prior to engaging in the activity.
Each 3PL, wherever located, that provides third-party logistics services of controlled substances in or into this state shall also obtain a Controlled Substances Act (CSA) registration.
Where operations are conducted at more than one location by a single 3PL provider, each location must be licensed.
3PL License Changes
When a licensed 3PL changes its name, ownership, location, or facility manager, a completed 3PL license application and applicable fees must be submitted to the Board.
Change of Ownership
For the purpose of a 3PL license, a change of ownership occurs when the owner listed on the 3PL’s most recent application changes or when there is a change affecting the majority ownership interest of the owner listed on the 3PL’s most recent application.
Location Change
A change of 3PL location within Iowa, if the new location was not a licensed 3PL immediately prior to the relocation, requires an on-site inspection of the new location.
- Locations in Iowa. An application for license change must be submitted to the Board as far in advance as possible prior to the anticipated change.
- Locations outside of Iowa. An application for license change must be submitted to the Board within ten days of the 3PL’s receipt of an updated license or registration from the home state regulatory authority or the FDA, as applicable.
A 3PL that has submitted a license change application may continue to service Iowa customers while its license change is pending final approval.
Change in Facility Manager
When a 3PL has a change in facility manager, a new facility manager shall be identified pursuant to this section.
If a permanent facility manager is not currently the facility manager of a licensed facility, the facility manager must submit to a criminal background check.
If a permanent facility manager has been identified at the time of the vacancy, a 3PL license application identifying the new permanent facility manager, along with the appropriate fee, is required to be submitted to the Board within 10 days of the vacancy.
If no permanent facility manager has been identified at the time of the vacancy, a temporary facility manager shall be identified and notice of such shall be submitted in writing to the Board within 10 days of the vacancy. A temporary facility manager is not required to submit a fingerprint packet and signed waiver to facilitate a national criminal history check unless the temporary facility manager subsequently is identified as the permanent facility manager. Within 90 days of the vacancy, a permanent facility manager shall be identified and a 3PL license application identifying the permanent facility manager, along with the appropriate fee, is required to be submitted to the Board.
Facility Manager Background Check
The facility manager of a 3PL is required to complete an FBI background check.
Upon receipt of an initial 3PL license application or a change of facility manager application, a background check packet will be sent to the mailing address indicated on the application. The background check packet is to be completed by the facility manager and returned to the Board for processing.
Do not submit any waiver or fingerprint card with an application. Do not submit a waiver or fingerprint card, by any delivery method, before receiving a background check packet from the Board. Any waiver and/or fingerprint card received before the Board’s packet is sent will be destroyed.
The background check takes approximately 4-6 weeks to complete.
3PL Renewals
A 3PL license expires on March 31 of each year. A license renewal cannot be completed if the licensee has an incomplete change application pending.
Accreditation
An applicant shall provide evidence of current drug distributor accreditation by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), the National Coalition for Drug Quality and Security (NCDQS), or another accreditation body approved by the board.
This requirement does not apply to new applicants located in Iowa which must undergo an opening inspection by a board compliance officer or agent of the board prior to issuance of an initial license pursuant to subrule 43.3(3). 3PL distributors located in Iowa shall provide evidence of drug distributor accreditation on or before license renewal.
Accreditation must be maintained at all times that the licensee has an active license in Iowa.
Inspections
Each new 3PL location seeking licensure shall be inspected prior to issuance of a license.
- Iowa location. If the applicant is located within Iowa, an inspection must be conducted by the Board or its authorized agent prior to issuance of the license and periodically thereafter.
- Nonresident location. If the applicant is located outside of Iowa, an inspection must be conducted by the applicant’s home state regulatory authority or another Board-approved inspecting authority. The inspection report and any evidence of corrective action taken to satisfy any deficiencies identified in the inspection report and compliance with all legal directives of the inspecting authority, if applicable, must be submitted with the application.
With each license renewal and license reactivation for a 3PL outside of Iowa, the application must include a copy of the most recent inspection report issued as a result of an inspection conducted by the home state regulatory authority or other Board-approved inspecting authority.
Discontinuing Services
If a 3PL intends to discontinue service into, out of, or within this state, the licensee shall notify the board and shall request that the license be administratively canceled.
Reporting Disciplinary Action or Criminal Convictions
No later than 30 days after the final action, a 3PL must provide to the Board written notice, including an unredacted copy of the action or order, of any disciplinary sanction imposed on any license or registration held by the 3PL or its owner or owners. Discipline may include, but is not limited to, fine or civil penalty, citation or reprimand, probationary period, suspension, revocation, and voluntary surrender.
No later than 30 days after the conviction, a 3PL must provide to the Board written notice, including an unredacted copy of the judgment of conviction or sentence, of any criminal convictions related to product distribution, including convictions of any of its owners, or its facility manager. The term “criminal conviction” includes instances when the judgment of conviction or the sentence is deferred.