Iowa Military Legislation & Policies

Latest Status

Occupational Licensure Interstate Compacts (Physician Associates Compact): Iowa Governor Signed Final Legislation

Demographic Data

State residents include:

1,541 active-duty service members
594 active-duty spouses
1,300 active-duty children
- 879 children in K-12
13,522 National Guard and reserve members
5,714 National Guard and reserve spouses
9,822 National Guard and reserve children
- 6,801 children in K-12

Data source: DMDC, Dec. 31, 2024.

Michelle Richart

Midwest Regional Liaison

Midwest Region

CO, IA, KS, ND, NE, SD

EMAIL

Ms. Richart became Midwest region liaison in 2023. Prior to joining the DSLO, she practiced law in the defense, corporate and nonprofit sectors and volunteered in a variety of military family advocacy and policy positions. Ms. Richart is a military spouse and graduate of the Nebraska College of Law.

State-Specific Progress on State Policy Priorities and Sub-Priorities

See the latest status on legislation and policies being advanced in this state on state policy priorities important to military families. Find quick access to this state’s regional liaison, along with demographic data for the military community in this state.

No Action
Bill introduced
Priority advanced
Policy Passed
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Occupational Licensure Interstate Compacts11/19 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Compact

Audiology/Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact

02/23/2021HF 500

05/24/2022

Audiology/Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact Final Legislation

Iowa Governor signed the Audiology and Speech Language Pathology Interstate Compact

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Cosmetology Licensure Compact

Dental and Dental Hygienist Compact

04/17/2023HF 656

03/13/2023HF 656

04/26/2023

Dental and Dental Hygienist Compact Final Legislation

A bill for an act establishing the dentist and dental hygienist compact. (Formerly HSB 220.)

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Dietitian Licensure Compact

03/04/2025HF 532

04/14/2025HF 532

05/06/2025

Dietitian Licensure Compact Final Legislation

Dietitian Licensure Compact

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Emergency Medical Services Licensure Compact

04/25/2019HF694

03/21/2019HF694

05/08/2019

Emergency Medical Services Licensure Compact Final Legislation

A bill establishing an emergency medical services personnel licensure interstate compact.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Interstate Massage Therapy Compact

Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact

Licensed Professional Counseling Compact

04/10/2023HF671

04/24/2023SF127

06/01/2023

Licensed Professional Counseling Compact Final Legislation

Professional counselors licensure compact

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Nurse Licensure Compact

04/23/2017

Nurse Licensure Compact Final Legislation

Allows licensed nurses with eNL issued outside of IA to work inside IA on their existing license.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact

03/17/2021SF 463

02/28/2021SF 463

05/24/2022

Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact Final Legislation

Occupational Therapy Compact Enacted.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Physical Therapy Licensure Compact

03/28/2018HB-2425

02/14/2018HB-2425

04/04/2018

Physical Therapy Licensure Compact Final Legislation

Bill allows the Physical Therapy Licensing Compact (PTLC) to operate in Iowa. So anyone entering Iowa with a PTLC and comes from a PTLC state may go right to work on their current license.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Physician Associates Compact

03/10/2025HF300

02/13/2025SF312

05/27/2025

Physician Associates Compact Final Legislation

This bill enacts the Physician Associate Licensure Compact in Iowa.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact

Social Work Licensure Compact

02/01/2024HF 2272

02/21/2024HF2512

05/03/2024

Social Work Licensure Compact Final Legislation

Social work interstate occupational compact

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Interstate Compact for School Psychologists

Respiratory Care Interstate Compact

03/12/2025HF 547

04/24/2025HF 547

04/25/2025

Respiratory Care Interstate Compact Final Legislation

Respiratory Care Interstate Compact

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Athletic Trainer Compact

Esthetics Licensure Compact

Military Spouse Employment Preference0/3 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Employment Preference - Private Sector

Employment Preference - Public Sector

Employment Preference - Procurement

Military Clause in State Family Leave Laws

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Solutions for Military Homeschoolers0/3 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Streamline Requirements

Ensure Extracurricular Access

Clarify JROTC Eligibility

State Exemption for DOD Family Child Care Homes

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

State Support of Military Families with Special Education Needs0/2 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Minimize Delays

Reduce Burdens

Education Policy Implementation and Information Enhancements1/4 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Advance Enrollment

Military Student Identifier (MSI)

Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunities for Military Children

Purple Star Schools Program

05/02/2025

Purple Star Schools Program Final Legislation

In 2025, the Iowa Department of Education created a resource page for military families as it relates to the Purple Star School Program. The page lists a POC and guidance on the PSS program including the application process. The Purple Star School Program requires recertification by designated schools every three years.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Open Enrollment Flexibility

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

06/01/1990

Open Enrollment Flexibility Final Legislation

Statewide open enrollment in Iowa has no deadline for enrollment with good cause shown, to include moving. Iowa also offers stability placement. SF2306 from 1990 - https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/73/SF2306.pdf

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Concurrent Juvenile Jurisdiction

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

State Response to Military Interpersonal Violence0/2 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Enhance Information-Sharing

Allow Military Protective Orders as Evidence

Military Community Representation on State Defense Councils

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Status and Demographic Content

State Details

Regional Liaison

Other Content

Map Legend

State Policy Priorities 2026

Status and Demographic Content

State Details

Regional Liaison

Other Content

Map Legend

State Policy Priorities 2026

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