The Iowa State Board of Nursing licenses registered nurses and practical nurses. Iowa is a Nurse Licensure Compact (Compact) state, meaning that nurses licensed by another Compact state do not need to apply for licensure unless they plan to make Iowa their primary state of residency.
Select license type you’re applying for:
Registered Nurse - Initial Licensure
Service(s) Required
English Language Proficiency Exam Results
Exam scores not required to be resubmitted to CGFNS for CP Verification Letter.
Exam scores are required to be submitted to CGFNS for CES
Accepted English Language Proficiency Test and Passing Exam Scores:
- TOEFL Internet Based Test Passing Score: 84; Speaking score: 26
- IELTS Academic: Overall Score 6.5; Speaking score: 7.0; Minimum Score for Each Module: 6.5
Notes
Applicants are English Exempt if ALL of the following are met:
The language of instruction in the nursing program is in English and the language of the textbooks in the nursing program are in English
AND
They were educated in Australia, Barbados, Canada (expect Quebec), Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, South Africa, Trinidad/Tobago, United Kingdom
Registered Nurse - Endorsement
Service(s) Required
English Language Proficiency Exam Results
Exam scores not required to be resubmitted to CGFNS for CP Verification Letter.
Exam scores are required to be submitted to CGFNS for CES
Notes
Applicants are English Exempt if ALL of the following are met:
The language of instruction in the nursing program is in English and the language of the textbooks in the nursing program are in English
AND
They were educated in Australia, Barbados, Canada (expect Quebec), Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, South Africa, Trinidad/Tobago, United Kingdom
Licensed Practical Nurse - Initial Licensure
Service(s) Required
English Language Proficiency Exam Results
Exam scores are required to be submitted to CGFNS for CES
Accepted English Language Proficiency Test and Passing Exam Scores:
- TOEFL Internet Based Test Passing Score 84; Speaking 26
- IELTS Academic: Overall Score 6.5; Speaking score: 7.0; Minimum Score for Each Module: 6.5
Notes
Applicants are English Exempt if ALL of the following are met:
The language of instruction in the nursing program is in English and the language of the textbooks in the nursing program are in English
AND
They were educated in Australia, Barbados, Canada (expect Quebec), Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, South Africa, Trinidad/Tobago, United Kingdom
Licensed Practical Nurse - Endorsement
Service(s) Required
English Language Proficiency Exam Results
Exam scores are required to be submitted to CGFNS for CES
Notes
Applicants are English Exempt if ALL of the following are met:
The language of instruction in the nursing program is in English and the language of the textbooks in the nursing program are in English
AND
They were educated in Australia, Barbados, Canada (expect Quebec), Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, South Africa, Trinidad/Tobago, United Kingdom