Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to licenses to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery, and administrative medicine licenses
Sponsored by the Senate Health and Human Services Committee
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedJanuary 27, 2026
- Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 28, 2026
- Done: Senate committeeFebruary 3, 2026
- Done: Passes the SenateMarch 3, 202644–0
- Done: House committeeMarch 19, 2026
- Done: Passes the HouseMarch 24, 202695–0
- Done: To the GovernorApril 30, 2026
- Done: Signed into lawApril 30, 2026
Signed into law What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary People applying for medical licenses can now have someone else turn in their paperwork for them. The board of medicine must set license terms for at least three years and make sure they expire on the doctor's birthday. Additionally, doctors cannot be forced to do more than 15 hours of continuing education every year, and the board must make a final decision on license applications within a specific number of days.1
Read the official explanation
This bill relates to licenses to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery, and administrative medicine licenses (license). The bill allows an applicant for a license to designate a person to submit application materials on the applicant’s behalf. The bill requires the board of medicine (board) to adopt rules setting the term of a license at not less than three years, and requires a license to expire on the birthday of a licensee. The bill prohibits the board from requiring a person to complete more than 15 hours of continuing education credits per year to maintain a license. The bill requires the board to issue a final decision on an application for a license within 45 calendar days of receipt of the application, or 75 calendar days of receipt of all necessary documentation from the applicant or the applicant’s designee if the board informs the applicant and the applicant’s employer, if applicable, that there are specific concerns that are delaying the final review of the application.
Why it matters. Medical and osteopathic practitioners can designate someone else to submit their license application materials. The board of medicine will change how long licenses last, set expiration dates based on birthdays, and limit the amount of continuing education required each year. The board must also issue final decisions on license applications within specific timeframes.2
Changed since by amendment H-8255; see Amendments.
Senate subcommittee
Named February 12, 2026. On February 17, 2026 it recommended passage.
Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part
Iowa Code it changes
Lobbying
8 for · 0 against · 5 undecided · Who →
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91st General Assembly