Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners (ARNPs) may practice independently in Iowa. This practice is based on:
- educational background
- population focus
- national certifying body standards and guidelines
- Examples are American Nurses Credentialing Center and American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
An ARNP may have a collaborative agreement with a physician(s), if warranted. This agreement is not required by the Iowa Board of Nursing.
The advanced nursing practice roles identified in Iowa are:
- Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Certified Nurse Midwife
- Certified Nurse Practitioner
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
Standards for Treating Patients
Before treating a patient, ARNPs must:
- Establish a patient-provider relationship
- Perform and document or have access to the patient's health records, including:
- Chief complaint
- Health history
- Focused assessment
- Diagnosis
- Plan of treatment
- Maintain hospital privileges, if applicable
Education Requirements
To license as an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner, you must do one of the following:
- Graduate from a Board approved Advanced Practice Master of Science in Nursing program
- Complete a formal Advanced Practice education program
- Advanced Practice Doctoral preparation is also an acceptable method for licensure.
For a list of Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner Programs approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing, visit Nursing Education Programs.
Iowa Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP)
The Iowa Prescription Monitoring Program is a tool used to track the prescription of controlled substances. This includes Schedule II, III, and IV drugs. This program allows prescribers and pharmacists to determine the appropriate treatment of patients. The program assists practitioners in identifying potential diversion, misuse, or abuse of controlled substances. The Iowa Board of Pharmacy regulates this program.
To register for access to PMP and for more information, visit the Prescription Monitoring Program page.
Telehealth and Electronic Delivery of Care
Telehealth is the use of technology to deliver nursing care and conduct nursing practice. This includes audio, video, or data integration into nursing practice. The technology must be secure and comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.
If the patient is physically located in Iowa, nurses must have an active Iowa or multistate license.
The standard of care through telehealth is the same as an in-person setting.
Who Can I Provide Telehealth to?
If an established patient of an Iowa provider travels out of state, the nurse can answer the patient's questions via telehealth. The patient must be in transit and not residing in another state.
If the patient is out of state, the nurse can provide telehealth if the state is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact. If the patient is not located in a compact state, the nurse must be licensed in that state. The decision is based on the location of the patient at the time care is rendered.
For more information, please review Iowa Administrative Code 481, Chapter 621.
Fluoroscopy Supervision for ARNPs
ARNPs may provide direct supervision of fluoroscopic X-ray equipment in accordance with Iowa Administrative Code 481- 621.4(5). Collaborate with other healthcare providers as needed and comply with all facility policies and procedures.
ARNPs must complete an initial educational course covering:
- Radiation physics
- Radiobiology
- Radiological safety and radiation management (time, dose, distance, shielding, radiation effects)
Documentation verifying course completion must be maintained.
Continuing Education: There is no specific Board-approved continuing education course required for ARNPs to provide direct supervision of fluoroscopy. However, it is the responsibility of each practitioner to maintain appropriate ongoing training and education to ensure safe practice and meet standards of care.
The Board of Nursing may audit ARNPs supervising fluoroscopy. Proof of educational course must be available upon request.
For questions and concerns, contact us at IBN-Nursing-Practice@dial.iowa.gov.
ARNP Delegation
ARNPs are subject to the same guidelines outlined on our LPN/RN page. Additionally, ARNPs can only delegate appropriate tasks within a delegate's scope of practice.