More Application Information

New or Additional License?

Know what licenses you already have. If you are unsure, do a License Search. If you've ever held a license of the type you are applying for, even if expired, you should renew that license instead of applying for a new one.

Before you begin...

Applicants are responsible for knowing the rules and laws pertaining to teaching and licensure, and all the information provided to you on this site as it applies to your license, authorization or endorsement.

Note: Processing time varies and may take up to six (6) weeks.

1. If your license has expired you must stop teaching.
2. Once you submit a payment, there is no refund.
3. You will need to create an account in the system (if you have not already done so.)
4. You don’t need to complete your application all at once.
5. Your application is not submitted to the Educational Examiners for review until the status is 'Pending - Internal Review'.  Note that you will get an email from the system confirming that it is submitted when the status changes to 'Pending - Internal Review.' 
6. If the status is not 'Pending - Internal Review' you may need to 'Assess Application...' to get the status to change, especially if you have not completed the sections in order.
7. If your application status is 'Pending - Internal Review' you should leave your application alone.
8. If you are renewing, review the renewal requirements for your license type.

Background Checks (including fingerprinting)

Renewals & Conversions Applications

Licensure renewal and conversion applications include checks of various resources such as Iowa Courts Online, Child Abuse Registry, Sex Offender Registry and others. The applicant pays a fee as part of the renewal or conversion application process and the required background checks are conducted.

First-Time Applicants

 Since June 5, 2023, the Bureau of Educational Examiners uses Fieldprint to complete the federal portion of required background checks for new applicants.

Fieldprint has locations across the United States allowing individuals applying for their first license to be fingerprinted and have their prints submitted to the federal agency to complete this portion of the background check. Each application has instructions outlining the procedures to make an appointment, secure fingerprints and submit the necessary information.

The Fieldprint process is a more convenient way to fingerprint applicants, decreasing processing times and individual applicant costs. Results are received in approximately one week or less for the majority of background checks, although some checks may take longer.

The cost of the federal background check and fingerprinting is paid directly to Fieldprint at the time of registering for an appointment. The remaining fee for background check of $35.00 will be paid to the Board of Educational Examiners in the online application.

Paper fingerprint cards are still be available upon request. The fee to complete the background check through paper cards is $75.00. Cards need to be requested from our office by calling 515-281-3245. 

Print Copy of License

The Iowa Board of Educational Examiners no longer prints and mails licenses as of July 1, 2016. Check our website under “search for a license” to view your license or to see if a pending licensure transaction has been processed. Our website version of your license is considered your official license record.

You may purchase a printed certificate to be mailed to you.  You will find an application in our system to order a printed copy.  Use our system as if you are applying for or renewing an existing license and instead choose the application for a printed certificate.

Status Checks & Processing Times

Applications may take up to six weeks to process.  You can check the status of an application by logging into your account. A status of "Pending Internal Review" means that your application has been submitted. Please do not contact our office unless it has been longer than six weeks. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Update My Personal Information

Name

Please note that this does not happen at the same time the system asks you to update/verify phone and address.  You have two options.  Option one is to update your name as part of any application (to renew, convert, etc.)  If you use this option, look for a question in the "checklist" portion of your application regarding name change and answer appropriately.  Option two is to start a new application to change name.  You will find that application in the "other" section after you update/verify your address and phone in the New Application process.  Either option will require legal proof of change and there's no fee to update name.

Email

Once you have created your account in the system, you can't change your email address because it is your login ID.  If you need to change your email, contact BOEE to have it changed.  You can email jeff.debruin@iowa.gov with your folder number, old email, and new email to request this. We suggest using a personal account rather than a school account. If you have not yet created an account in our system, you can create it with any email address.  (It does not have to match what we already have in your folder.) 

Phone

Every time you start an application, the system will ask you to update/verify your phone numbers.

Mailing Address

Every time you start an application, the system will ask you to update/verify your address.