How Do I Apply for a Nursing Home Administrator License?

Documentation and questions may be submitted by email: plpublic@idph.iowa.gov.

The application fee is $120. All application fees are nonrefundable.

The following is required as part of the application for a nursing home administrator license.

1. Certification as a health services executive (HSE) through National Association of Boards of Examiners of Long Term Care Administrators (NAB).
2. Transcripts verifying a baccalaureate or postbaccalaureate degree sent directly from an accredited college or university.
3. Passing score on all required national NAB examinations and meeting all other licensure requirements to be approved to take all required national NAB examinations.
4. Completion of one of the following:
   1. Administrator training program;
   2. Practicum in long-term health care completed through an accredited college or university; or
   3. 2,080 hours of long-term health care administration or health-care-related experience in a nursing home may be approved by the board.

Email the documents to plpublic@idph.iowa.gov if there are any issues attaching

If applicable, applicants that have previously been licensed, registered or certified in another state, the applicant must meet the following requirements.

1. Meet the requirements established in Iowa Administrative Code (IAC) 481--980.2; and
2. Submit official license verification for all states in which the applicant has been licensed. At least one nursing home administrator license must be on active status for for no less than two years immediately prior to application.
   1. Alternatively, the applicant can provide documentation, which satisfies the requirements outlined in IAC 481—980.4.

The license verification must include the following: 

• Licensee Name;
• License Number;
• Issue Date;
• Expiration Date;
• License Status; and
• Reference to Any Pending or Past Disciplinary Action.

The verification may be printed from another state licensing board’s website if it contains all of the information noted above. If an online verification is not available, the verification must be sent directly from the licensing board(s).

Note: Applicants who do not meet the requirements for licensure by endorsement may be eligible for a license by verification. For more information about licensure by verification, please refer to IAC 501.1.se refer to IAC 501.1.