RN License Renewal in Iowa (2026)

RN license renewal in Iowa is handled by the Iowa Board of Nursing (Dept of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing), which requires Registered Nurse (RN)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 RN renewal at a glance

Renewal cycle	36 months
Deadline rule	Three-year cycle, expiring on the 15th day of the licensee's birth month. Renewal opens up to 60 days before expiration; the first renewal may cover a 24–36 month partial period.
CE hours required	36 hours
Renewal fee	$99.00
Online renewal	Yes
Governing body	Iowa Board of Nursing (Dept of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing)

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

Last verified 2026-06-01 from the Iowa Board of Nursing (Dept of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing). manual review of Iowa DIAL nursing renewal, fees, and CE pages.

Continuing-education requirements for RNs in Iowa

36 contact hours of CE over the three-year period (related to nursing practice). Nurses caring for children or dependent adults are mandatory reporters and must hold current abuse-reporting training (renewed every 3 years; each course counts 2 contact hours toward the 36). Documentation is kept for audit.

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

How to renew your RN license in Iowa

Confirm your renewal deadline and current status on the Iowa Board of Nursing (Dept 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: Board licensing is administered under DIAL; old nursing.iowa.gov URLs redirect to dial.iowa.gov. The $50 late fee is added to the $99 renewal during the one-month grace period and cannot be waived. Timeliness is by date received, not postmark.

RN license renewal in Iowa: frequently asked questions

How often do I renew my RN license in Iowa?

Iowa RN licenses renew every 36 months. Three-year cycle, expiring on the 15th day of the licensee's birth month. Renewal opens up to 60 days before expiration; the first renewal may cover a 24–36 month partial period.

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

Approximately 36 continuing-education hours per cycle. 36 contact hours of CE over the three-year period (related to nursing practice). Nurses caring for children or dependent adults are mandatory reporters and must hold current abuse-reporting training (renewed every 3 years; each course counts 2 contact hours toward the 36). Documentation is kept for audit. Confirm the current requirement with the Iowa Board of Nursing (Dept of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing).

Can I renew my Iowa RN license online?

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

What happens if I let my Iowa RN 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 (Dept of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing) promptly if your license has lapsed.

Renew the same license in another state

All states: Registered Nurse (RN) renewal