Eligibility for Permanent Licensure

A permanent license allows an M.D. or D.O. to practice medicine and surgery in Iowa. Eligibility requirements are found in Chapter 9.3.

  • Be at least 21 years of age;
  • Hold a medical degree from an educational institution accredited by the LCME or the AOA;
  • If the applicant does not hold a medical degree from an institution approved by the board, the applicant shall meet one of the following requirements:
    • Hold a valid certificate issued by the ECFMG;
    • Have successfully completed a fifth pathway program established in accordance with AMA criteria;
    • Have successfully passed either a basic science examination administered by a U.S. or Canadian medical licensing authority or SPEX, and have successfully completed three years of postgraduate training in a program approved by the board, and submitted evidence of five years of active practice without restriction as a licensee of any U.S. or Canadian jurisdiction; or
    • Have successfully passed either a basic science examination administered by a U.S. or Canadian medical licensing authority or SPEX and hold board certification by a specialty board approved by ABMS or the AOA, and submit evidence of five years of active practice without restriction as a licensee of any U.S. or Canadian jurisdiction.
  • Have successfully completed one year of postgraduate training in a hospital-affiliated program accredited by the ACGME, AOA, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and the College of Family Physicians of Canada. A graduate of an international medical school shall have successfully completed 24 months of such training.
  • Have passed one of the multi-part licensure examinations:
    • USMLE
    • NBME
    • FLEX
    • NBOME
    • COMLEX
    • LMCC

Military Service & Veteran Reciprocity

Current military service or veteran applicants who do not meet the eligibility requirements for permanent licensure outlined above may request credit toward any experience or educational requirement for licensure based on military education, training, or service obtained or completed in military service. Credit for military service may not be applied to an examination requirement. 

To request credit of experience or educational requirement, submit the Military Service Application to the Iowa Board of Medicine for consideration.

"Military service" means honorably serving on federal active duty, state active duty, or national guard duty as defined in Iowa Code section 29A.1; in the military services of other states as provided in 10 U.S.C. section 101(c); or the organized reserves of the United States as provided in 10 U.S.C.

"Veteran" means an individual who meets the definition of "Veteran" in Iowa Code section 35.1(2)

Important Information Regarding USMLE and COMLEX

Applicants who have taken more than ten years to complete all three steps of the USMLE or COMLEX and are not specialty board certified by a member board of the American Board of Medical Specialties or American Osteopathic Specialty Boards, should contact the Director of Licensure, at 515-281-6492. Applicants in this situation do not meet the licensure requirements and will need to request a waiver to administrative rule 653 IAC-9.4(2)e(1). Discussion with a staff person prior to applying may assist in determining whether to submit an application to the Board.

Fees

Read about the fee for a permanent license application.

How to Apply

Read about the license application process.

Permanent License Application Cycle

If the applicant does not submit all materials, including a completed fingerprint packet, within 90 days of the board office's initial documented request for further information, the application shall be considered inactive. The board office shall notify the applicant of this change in status.

To reactivate the application, an applicant shall submit a non-refundable reactivation fee, and update credentials. If the reactivation fee is not received within 30 days from the date the applicant was notified of the inactivation, the application will be withdrawn.

An applicant whose application was withdrawn must reapply and submit a new non-refundable application fee, a new application, documents and credentials. 

Printed from the Iowa Board of Medicine website on June 09, 2023 at 6:54am.