Iowa Medical License

Table Of Content

Education
• Graduate from an accredited medical school (MD or DO).
• International medical graduates must hold valid ECFMG certification.
Postgraduate Training
• Completion of at least 2 years of accredited postgraduate training (ACGME/AOA).
• IMGs must complete 3 years of accredited training unless meeting a rare Board exemption.
Good Moral Character & Professionalism
• Applicants must demonstrate good moral character, professional competency, and compliance with Iowa law.
Examination Requirements
• Pass a Board-approved exam: USMLE, COMLEX-USA, NBME/NBOME, LMCC, or other approved combinations.
• Must meet Iowa’s exam sequence, combination, and attempt-limit rules.

Apply through the Iowa Board of Medicine Online Portal.
Select the correct application type:
• Permanent License
• Endorsement License (Reciprocity)
• Resident/Training License
• Temporary/Short-Term License
Submit Required Documentation:
• Medical school diploma & transcript
• ECFMG certificate (if applicable)
• Postgraduate training verifications
• Exam score reports (USMLE/COMLEX/LMCC)
• Two professional reference forms
• Employment/practice history
• Malpractice and disciplinary disclosures
• Copy of current unrestricted license (if endorsement)
Complete Criminal Background Check:
• Iowa DCI and FBI fingerprint-based background check required.
• Fingerprinting instructions are provided after application submission.
Credential Verification
• FCVS is strongly recommended and often speeds up processing.
Board Review
• After all documents and verifications are complete, the Board conducts a final review and issues licensure approval.

Resident License
• Required for interns, residents, and fellows in ACGME/AOA-accredited programs in Iowa.
• Must be sponsored by a training institution.
Temporary License
• Allows short-term practice for educational programs, locum tenens work, or temporary clinical coverage.
• Practice must occur under specified supervision or institutional sponsorship.
Telemedicine License
• Available for physicians practicing limited telehealth-only services in Iowa.
• Requires full credential verification but does not permit in-person practice.

Iowa requires 40 CME credits every 2 years for license renewal.
– CME must be AMA PRA Category 1 or equivalent.

Mandatory CME Topics:

2 hours Iowa-specific training in Opioid Prescribing / Pain Management (if prescribing controlled substances).
1 hour training on identifying and reporting child abuse (renewed every 3 years).
1 hour training on dependent adult abuse identification/reporting (renewed every 3 years).

Licenses must be renewed every 2 years, aligned with the physician’s birth month.
Renewal is completed through the Iowa Board of Medicine online system.
Physicians must attest to CME completion; supporting documentation may be requested during audits.

Physicians may qualify for Iowa licensure by endorsement if they:

Hold an active, unrestricted license in another U.S. state or Canadian province.
Have no history of discipline, impairment, or malpractice settlements that raise concerns.
Have practiced for a minimum of 2 years after completing postgraduate training.
Are ABMS or AOA board certified, or maintain valid ECFMG certification (if IMG).
Provide two recent professional reference evaluations from supervising physicians or department chairs.
Complete an Iowa and FBI criminal background check (fingerprint-based).

Standard processing time: 6–10 weeks, depending on:
– FCVS completion
– Background check results
– Verification of training, exams, and references
Endorsement applicants with complete FCVS profiles typically experience faster processing.
Delays may occur due to incomplete forms, malpractice history verification, or fingerprinting delays.

Iowa Board of Medicine – Official Website
https://medicalboard.iowa.gov/
Apply for an Iowa Medical License (Online Portal)https://ibm.iowa.gov/online-services
Iowa CME Requirementshttps://medicalboard.iowa.gov/licensing/continuing-medical-education
Fingerprinting & Background Check Informationhttps://medicalboard.iowa.gov/licensing/fingerprinting
FCVS – Federation Credentials Verification Servicehttps://www.fsmb.org/fcvs/