Iowa Nursing License Lookup

Verify any Iowa (IA) registered nurse license for free. Below is the official Iowa Board of Nursing lookup tool plus a step-by-step guide on how to use it.

NLC Compact State

Clinically reviewed by Sarah Johnson, MSN, RN

Based on 3 official sources • Last verified: June 2026

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Official Iowa License Verification

Hosted by the Iowa Board of Nursing. Free, public, and updated in real time.

Open Iowa License Lookup

Official source: Iowa Board of Nursing

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What you'll need to look up a Iowa nurse license

The nurse's first and last name (exactly as registered), OR
The nurse's license number
No login or account required

How to look up a nurse license in Iowa

1
Visit the Iowa Board of Nursing license verification tool (link above).
2
Enter the nurse's first and last name exactly as registered, or enter the license number if you have it.
3
Submit the search and review the results list.
4
Click into the matching record to see license status, expiration date, and any disciplinary actions.

What each license status means

Status	Meaning
Active	Licensed and currently eligible to practice.
Inactive	Not currently practicing, but the license can be reactivated.
Lapsed / Expired	License was not renewed on time; nurse cannot practice until renewed.
Suspended	Disciplinary action in place; practice is temporarily prohibited.
Revoked	License was permanently terminated by the state board.

Looking up a multistate compact license?

Iowa is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state. If the nurse holds a multistate license issued by Iowa, you can also verify it through Nursys, the national database operated by NCSBN. Nursys is useful if you're unsure which state issued the primary license.

Open Nursys QuickConfirm

Iowa nurse aide (CNA) registry lookup

Looking up a certified nursing assistant? CNAs are not in the Iowa Board of Nursing RN/LPN lookup. Iowa keeps a separate nurse aide registry, run by Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing / Direct Care Worker Registry, that shows certification status, expiration, and any findings of abuse or neglect.

Open the Iowa nurse aide registry → Registry phone: (515) 281-4115 Iowa CNA certification guide →

Getting licensed in Iowa?

Requirements, fees, processing times, and renewal rules for each Iowa nursing license.

Comparing states? Nursing license cost by state, cheapest RN license states, and fastest RN license states.

Checking for disciplinary actions

The Iowa Board of Nursing lookup tool shows any disciplinary actions (suspensions, revocations, probation, consent orders) as part of the public record. If you need more detail on a specific disciplinary case, most state boards publish formal action documents on their enforcement page.

Visit the Iowa Board of Nursing website →

Iowa License Lookup FAQs

How do I look up a nurse license in Iowa?

Use the official Iowa Board of Nursing license verification tool. Enter the nurse's full name (or license number if you have it) and the tool will show current license status, expiration date, and any disciplinary actions. Results are free and updated in real time from the state board's records.

Is Iowa nursing license lookup free?

Yes. The Iowa Board of Nursing provides free public license verification. There is no cost to search, and you do not need to create an account for a basic lookup.

What does each license status mean?

Active means the nurse is licensed and in good standing. Inactive means the license is not currently in use but may be reactivated. Lapsed or Expired means the license was not renewed on time. Suspended or Revoked means disciplinary action was taken by the board and the nurse cannot legally practice.

Can I use Iowa license lookup results for hiring decisions?

No. Information from this page and from state board lookup tools is for general reference only. It is not a consumer report and cannot be used to make employment, tenant, credit, or insurance decisions. Employers who need FCRA-compliant background checks should use a licensed consumer reporting agency.

How current is the license information in Iowa?

The Iowa Board of Nursing maintains the authoritative record. Nursys, NCSBN's national database, shows what this board has submitted to it: NCSBN states that it posts information "when, and as, submitted by the individual boards of nursing" and displays the date each board last updated. That date is the one to check — NCSBN publishes no standard refresh interval, and submission gaps do happen. When a status matters for a decision, verify it against the board's own record.

How do I look up a CNA in Iowa?

Certified nursing assistants are listed on the Iowa nurse aide registry, run by Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing / Direct Care Worker Registry, not on the nursing board's RN/LPN lookup. Search the registry by name or certificate number to confirm the CNA is active and in good standing.

Can I look up a multistate (compact) license from Iowa?

Yes. Iowa is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), so nurses holding a multistate license issued here can practice in other NLC member states. The Iowa Board of Nursing lookup tool will indicate whether the license is single-state or multistate.