Iowa · travel RT guide

Iowa Respiratory Therapist License

Who to call, where to apply and what it takes to keep a Iowa RT license, all on one page for travelers. Board details come from our state licensing list.

Iowa license at a glance

Iowa respiratory therapists are licensed by the Iowa Board of Respiratory Care and Polysomnography (Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing) (phone 515-281-0254).

Iowa is a Respiratory Care Interstate Compact member (joined 2025).

RT license renewal in Iowa: 24 hours, every 2 years.

Nurse Licensure Compact state: a multistate license from another NLC state lets you work here.

Heading there? See Iowa travel contracts, monthly RV parks near hospitals and CEU requirements by state.

Updated Oct 2026. Board details checked Oct 19, 2026. Run by a working travel respiratory therapist.

Iowa RT licensing board

Status: RT Compact

Iowa Board of Respiratory Care and Polysomnography (Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing)
Online application; fingerprint cards and background check required. Respiratory Care Interstate Compact member (joined 2025).
Call 515-281-0254Go to board site →

Iowa RT CEU requirements

24 hours, every 2 years.

Your first renewal is exempt.

Source: 481 IAC 721.2 (Iowa rule), checked Oct 19, 2026.

Need hours? See the free CEU guide or compare states on the CEU requirements page.

Also a nurse? Iowa Board of Nursing

Status: NLC

Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing
Call 515-281-3255Go to board site →
Nurse Licensure Compact state: a multistate license from another NLC state lets you work here. Live here? You can apply for a multistate license.

Hospital area guides in Iowa

MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center Des Moines MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center Dubuque MercyOne Genesis Medical Center Davenport MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center Sioux City UnityPoint Health – St. Luke's Hospital Cedar Rapids University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics Iowa City All Iowa guides →

Heading to Iowa? Find monthly RV parks near hospitals, housing tips and Iowa travel contracts.

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Always confirm fees, forms and processing times with the board before you apply. Rules change; tell us what we got wrong at @cdc2320.

Frequently asked questions

Who licenses respiratory therapists in Iowa?
Iowa respiratory therapists are licensed by the Iowa Board of Respiratory Care and Polysomnography (Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing) (phone 515-281-0254). Board website: https://dial.iowa.gov/licenses/health-professions/respiratory-care
Is Iowa in the respiratory therapy compact?
Iowa is a Respiratory Care Interstate Compact member (joined 2025).
How many CEUs does a Iowa RT license need?
RT license renewal in Iowa: 24 hours, every 2 years. Always confirm with the board before you renew.
Is Iowa a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state?
Nurse Licensure Compact state: a multistate license from another NLC state lets you work here.

Updated Oct 2026