The Board of Pharmacy will accept the transfer of a license to practice pharmacy from most states via the NABP Electronic Licensure Transfer Program ® (e-LTPTM). The Board allows a pharmacist to transfer based on any license that is current and in good standing in another state.
The fee to the Iowa Board for license transfer is $315, which includes the administration fee of $90, the biennial license fee of $180, and the criminal history background check processing fee of $45. An optional, 3-month temporary pharmacist license may be requested, under certain conditions, for an additional fee of $20.
An applicant for licensure transfer must be a pharmacist licensed in a state or territory of the United States with which Iowa has a reciprocal agreement, and the license by examination must be in good standing at the time of the application. All candidates must take and pass the MPJE, Iowa Edition. Any candidate who fails to pass the examination is eligible for reexamination.
Step 1: NABP Application for Licensure Transfer
Individuals interested in transferring their pharmacist license to Iowa must complete an NABP Application for Licensure Transfer. The online application is available on NABP’s website, https://nabp.pharmacy, by selecting the "PROGRAMS" section and “Licensure Transfer.” An applicant for licensure transfer must be a pharmacist licensed in a state or territory of the United States with which Iowa has a reciprocal agreement, and the license must be in good standing at the time of the application. All candidates must take and pass the MPJE, Iowa Edition. An application for licensure transfer is valid for 12 months following the date of issuance by NABP. A candidate for licensure transfer must successfully complete the MPJE examination and background check process within that one-year period. NABP will not grant extension to the licensure by license transfer application. NABP will submit the electronic application to the Iowa Board of Pharmacy.
Step 2: Iowa Board of Pharmacy Application for Licensure by License Transfer
Submit the Board's online Licensure by License Transfer Application.
Step 3: Criminal History Background Check
The applicant will receive a criminal history background check packet/fingerprint card once the application and payment is received. The applicant must complete and pass the criminal history background check.
Step 4: MPJE, Iowa Edition
The applicant must register with NABP to take the MPJE, Iowa Edition. The applicant must successfully pass the MPJE, Iowa Edition.
Step 5, if applicable: Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Committee Certificate
Foreign pharmacy graduates must successfully pass NABP's Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Exam (FPGEE), the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), and the Test of Spoken English (TSE), and provide a copy of their Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Committee certificate to our office.
Step 6 (optional): Temporary License to Practice Pharmacy
Iowa Code allows an applicant for pharmacist license by licensure transfer to request a temporary license to practice pharmacy while they await to take the MPJE, Iowa Edition. Please note, all required elements of the applications, including the submission of nonrefundable fees and receipt of the results of the criminal history background check, must be completed prior to the issuance of a temporary pharmacist license.
A temporary license, once issued, is valid for three (3) months. If, at the end of the 3-month temporary license period, you have not taken and passed the MPJE, Iowa Edition, you may apply to renew the Temporary Pharmacist License by License Transfer by completing and submitting the renewal application and paying the required $20 renewal fee for an additional three months.