Iowa Administrative Code, Nursing Board [655], chapter 7 provides information on the professional role, scope of practice, licensure, and educational requirements for the Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) practicing in Iowa.
Professional Role and Scope of Practice
In Iowa, an ARNP may provide healthcare services to Iowans of all ages in primary and/or ambulatory, acute, and long-term settings per their specific role and population foci. In other words, the ARNP practices within their scope of practice based upon their educational background, population focus, and the standards and guidelines established by their national certifying body (i.e. American Nurses Credentialing Center, American Academy of Nurse Practitioners). The specialty areas of nursing practice for the ARNP in Iowa are Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist, Certified Nurse Midwife, Certified Nurse Practitioner and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.
In Iowa, an ARNP may practice independently. But, an ARNP may have a collaborative agreement with a physician or physicians if their practice so warrants, but this agreement is not a requirement of the Iowa Board of Nursing.
The following services and functions may be performed by the ARNP practicing in Iowa (this list is not all-inclusive):
- Assessment of health status
- Obtain a relevant health and medical history
- Perform physical examinations
- Order preventive and diagnostic procedures based on the patient’s age and history
- Formulate differential diagnosis
- Develop a treatment plan
- Develop a patient education plan
- Receive third party reimbursement
- Maintain hospital privileges.
- Promote health maintenance
Licensure
Current licensure as a Registered Nurse is mandatory for advanced nursing practice in Iowa. Besides, an advanced level certification by a national professional nursing certifying body, recognized by the Board, is required for licensure as an ARNP.
Licensure with the Iowa Board of Nursing at the advanced level permits the nurse to use the title Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner and authorizes the nurse to prescribe substances or devices, including controlled substances. The ARNP shall have the authority to prescribe when engaged in the practice of a nursing specialty regulated under the rules adopted by the Board of Nursing.
Registration as a practitioner with the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Board of Pharmacy Examiners permits the Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner to prescribe controlled substances within the practitioner’s recognized specialty.
- To obtain a DEA number the provider must be licensed as an ARNP. Application forms for DEA numbers may be obtained from the Pharmacy Board website.
ARNPs located in Iowa must register for a Controlled Substance Registration if prescribing controlled substances (up to schedule II). To be eligible to register, ARNPs must hold a current, active license to practice. Information follows: https://pharmacy.iowa.gov/licensureregistration/controlled-substance-applications
To renew licensure as an ARNP in Iowa:
- Renewal shall be for the same period of licensure to practice as a registered nurse. Visit the Licensure information page for more details.
- There must be documentation of current time-dated, advanced level certification by an appropriate national certifying body.
- Send proof of your Opioid Prescribing continuing education document, if applicable.
Education
Graduation from a Board approved Advanced Practice Master of Science in Nursing program or completion of a formal Advanced Practice education program is required for licensure as an ARNP. Advanced Practice Doctoral preparation is also an acceptable method for licensure.
The complete list of Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner Programs approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing is listed on the ARNP Nursing Education Programs page.
Updated: 2/10/2023