Advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs) must have an active, current Registered Nurse license to practice advanced nursing in Iowa. An advanced level certification by a national professional nursing certifying body, recognized by the Board, is also required for licensure as an advanced registered nurse practitioner.
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, including controlled substances. 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.
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: initialarnp@iowa.gov
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.
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.”
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.