LPN License Renewal in Iowa (2026)

LPN license renewal in Iowa is handled by the Iowa Board of Nursing (administered by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing), which requires Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN/LVN)s to renew every 36 months. Below are the renewal deadline rule, continuing-education (CE) hours, fees, and a direct link to the official renewal page — last verified 2026-06-01. This is an unofficial guide; always confirm the details with the board before you file.

Iowa LPN renewal at a glance

Renewal cycle	36 months
Deadline rule	Iowa LPN licenses renew on a three-year cycle and expire on the 15th day of the licensee's birth month. (The very first renewal after initial licensure is shorter — roughly two years plus the months to the birth month.) Renewal can be done up to 60 days before expiration.
CE hours required	36 hours
Renewal fee	$99.00
Online renewal	Yes
Governing body	Iowa Board of Nursing (administered by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing)

Go to the official Iowa Board of Nursing (administered by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing) renewal page →

Last verified 2026-06-01 from the Iowa Board of Nursing (administered by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing). automated research workflow (official iowa Board of Nursing), confidence high.

Continuing-education requirements for LPNs in Iowa

License renewal requires verifiable completion of 36 contact hours (or 3.6 CEUs) of continuing education within the renewal period, or qualification for an exemption (Iowa Admin. Code 655-5.2). The same 36-hour standard applies to both LPNs and RNs. One contact hour = 60 minutes of instruction; up to 18 contact hours may be carried over to a future renewal period. Subject matter must relate to nursing practice. Effective June 4, 2025 the board removed provider/content pre-approval, letting licensees choose CE that meets the standard of care. Separately, licensees must complete mandatory reporter (child and/or dependent adult abuse) training as required by Iowa HHS, and proof can be requested at audit. Exemptions exist for honorable active military duty, holding an active license and residing in another state with CE requirements, working abroad in government/missionary nursing, or documented disability/illness. Records must be kept four years.

Need approved hours? Compare Iowa LPN CE courses (some links are affiliate links).

How to renew your LPN license in Iowa

Confirm your renewal deadline and current status on the Iowa Board of Nursing (administered by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing) portal.
Complete the required 36 CE hours.
Submit the renewal application and pay the current fee online.
Keep proof of CE and your renewal confirmation for your records.

Good to know: Iowa calls the credential Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN); only California and Texas use "Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)." The Iowa Board of Nursing is now administered under the Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing (DIAL); the old nursing.iowa.gov URLs now redirect to dial.iowa.gov. Online renewal is via the IBON Online Services portal (MasterCard/VISA/Discover). The $50 late fee applies when renewing after the birth-month-15th expiration; a 30-day grace period exists. No statewide CE Broker / electronic CE tracking is used — licensees self-track and retain documentation for four years for possible audit. The 36-hour CE figure is for both LPN and RN (not reduced for LPN).

LPN license renewal in Iowa: frequently asked questions

How often do I renew my LPN license in Iowa?

Iowa LPN licenses renew every 36 months. Iowa LPN licenses renew on a three-year cycle and expire on the 15th day of the licensee's birth month. (The very first renewal after initial licensure is shorter — roughly two years plus the months to the birth month.) Renewal can be done up to 60 days before expiration.

How many CE hours are required to renew an LPN license in Iowa?

Approximately 36 continuing-education hours per cycle. License renewal requires verifiable completion of 36 contact hours (or 3.6 CEUs) of continuing education within the renewal period, or qualification for an exemption (Iowa Admin. Code 655-5.2). The same 36-hour standard applies to both LPNs and RNs. One contact hour = 60 minutes of instruction; up to 18 contact hours may be carried over to a future renewal period. Subject matter must relate to nursing practice. Effective June 4, 2025 the board removed provider/content pre-approval, letting licensees choose CE that meets the standard of care. Separately, licensees must complete mandatory reporter (child and/or dependent adult abuse) training as required by Iowa HHS, and proof can be requested at audit. Exemptions exist for honorable active military duty, holding an active license and residing in another state with CE requirements, working abroad in government/missionary nursing, or documented disability/illness. Records must be kept four years. Confirm the current requirement with the Iowa Board of Nursing (administered by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing).

Can I renew my Iowa LPN license online?

Yes — Iowa offers online renewal through the Iowa Board of Nursing (administered by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing). Use the official link on this page.

What happens if I let my Iowa LPN license expire?

Practicing on an expired license is generally prohibited and can carry penalties. A late fee of about $50 may apply. Contact the Iowa Board of Nursing (administered by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing) promptly if your license has lapsed.

Renew the same license in another state

All states: Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN/LVN) renewal