Physical Therapist Licensure in Iowa
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Timeline 6-9 weeks
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Initial Costs $165
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Renewal Costs $60
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CE Requirements 40 Hours
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Compact Yes
How to apply
To secure your Travel Physical Therapist license in Iowa, you'll be working with the Iowa Board of Physical & Occupational Therapy. You will submit your application through the Iowa Board - Bureau of Professional Licensure license portal. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and requesting your transcripts to get the ball rolling.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Get Registered: Head over to the online portal to create your account. This is where you will fill out your application and pay the necessary fees to hit submit.
- The Background Check: After you apply and pay the background check fee online, the Board will mail a fingerprint packet to the address you provided. Take the fingerprint card to a local law enforcement agency to get your prints rolled, then mail the completed card and waiver back to the Board immediately.
- Verify Your Credentials: Request your official transcripts be sent directly from your school to the Board. You will also need to transfer your NPTE scores via FSBPT and request license verifications from every state where you have held a license.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: Driver's License, Social Security Number, and a list of all states where you currently hold or have held a license.
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (must be sent by the school), NPTE Scores (via FSBPT), and License Verifications (from other state boards).
- Exams: NPTE (already passed).
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Iowa:
- Application Fee: $120
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $45 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $0 (if applicable)
- Verifications: $0 (if the board charges to verify other licenses)
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $165
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Iowa Physical Therapist renewal happens every two years and is due by the 15th day of your birth month.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $60.
Note: Watch out—this state charges a late fee immediately after the deadline, so be sure to submit your renewal before the 15th.
CE Requirements
40 Hours required every 2 years.
Deadline: The 15th day of your birth month in even-numbered years.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Physical Therapist CEUs: Iowa currently has no limit on home-study or online courses. You can complete all 40 hours through distance learning, provided they meet clinical criteria.
Provider Restrictions: Iowa does not "pre-approve" specific providers or courses. The board leaves it to the professional to ensure the content is directly related to the clinical practice of physical therapy. High-quality clinical platforms like MedBridge are widely accepted for meeting these standards.
Mandatory Topics
- Mandatory Reporter Training: (2 hours) If you provide care to children or adults in Iowa, you must complete the state-approved Child Abuse and Dependent Adult Abuse training. This is required every 3 years and must be the specific course issued by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.
- Jurisprudence: No specific recurring Law/Ethics exam is required for renewal, but you are expected to remain compliant with the Iowa Practice Act.
Excluded Topics: Iowa does not grant credit for CPR, basic first aid, or non-clinical subjects such as business management, marketing, personal development, or government regulation courses.
New Licensee Rule: If you are a new grad or a traveler who received your initial Iowa license within 6 months of the renewal deadline, you are exempt from CEU requirements for that first renewal cycle.
Reporting: Iowa is an audit-based state. You do not need to report hours at the time of renewal, but you must maintain your certificates of completion for at least 4 years in case you are selected for a random audit.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the Iowa Board of Physical & Occupational Therapy:
- Address: 321 E 12th St Des Moines, IA 50319
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (515) 281-4413
- Fax: (515) 281-3121
- Email: plpublic@idph.iowa.gov
Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.
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How to Apply
To secure your Travel Physical Therapist license in Iowa, you'll be working with the Iowa Board of Physical & Occupational Therapy. You will submit your application through the Iowa Board - Bureau of Professional Licensure license portal. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and requesting your transcripts to get the ball rolling.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Get Registered: Head over to the online portal to create your account. This is where you will fill out your application and pay the necessary fees to hit submit.
- The Background Check: After you apply and pay the background check fee online, the Board will mail a fingerprint packet to the address you provided. Take the fingerprint card to a local law enforcement agency to get your prints rolled, then mail the completed card and waiver back to the Board immediately.
- Verify Your Credentials: Request your official transcripts be sent directly from your school to the Board. You will also need to transfer your NPTE scores via FSBPT and request license verifications from every state where you have held a license.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: Driver's License, Social Security Number, and a list of all states where you currently hold or have held a license.
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (must be sent by the school), NPTE Scores (via FSBPT), and License Verifications (from other state boards).
- Exams: NPTE (already passed).
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Iowa:
- Application Fee: $120
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $45 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $0 (if applicable)
- Verifications: $0 (if the board charges to verify other licenses)
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $165
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Iowa Physical Therapist renewal happens every two years and is due by the 15th day of your birth month.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $60.
Note: Watch out—this state charges a late fee immediately after the deadline, so be sure to submit your renewal before the 15th.
CE Requirements
40 Hours required every 2 years.
Deadline: The 15th day of your birth month in even-numbered years.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Physical Therapist CEUs: Iowa currently has no limit on home-study or online courses. You can complete all 40 hours through distance learning, provided they meet clinical criteria.
Provider Restrictions: Iowa does not "pre-approve" specific providers or courses. The board leaves it to the professional to ensure the content is directly related to the clinical practice of physical therapy. High-quality clinical platforms like MedBridge are widely accepted for meeting these standards.
Mandatory Topics
- Mandatory Reporter Training: (2 hours) If you provide care to children or adults in Iowa, you must complete the state-approved Child Abuse and Dependent Adult Abuse training. This is required every 3 years and must be the specific course issued by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.
- Jurisprudence: No specific recurring Law/Ethics exam is required for renewal, but you are expected to remain compliant with the Iowa Practice Act.
Excluded Topics: Iowa does not grant credit for CPR, basic first aid, or non-clinical subjects such as business management, marketing, personal development, or government regulation courses.
New Licensee Rule: If you are a new grad or a traveler who received your initial Iowa license within 6 months of the renewal deadline, you are exempt from CEU requirements for that first renewal cycle.
Reporting: Iowa is an audit-based state. You do not need to report hours at the time of renewal, but you must maintain your certificates of completion for at least 4 years in case you are selected for a random audit.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the Iowa Board of Physical & Occupational Therapy:
- Address: 321 E 12th St Des Moines, IA 50319
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (515) 281-4413
- Fax: (515) 281-3121
- Email: plpublic@idph.iowa.gov
Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.