Clinical Psychopharmacology & Prescribing Psychology in Iowa
Iowa granted psychologists prescriptive authority in 2016. Here is the conditional-prescriber path, Drake University's in-state online MS in Clinical Psychopharmacology, other online options, and what prescribing psychologists earn in Iowa.
Key Takeaways
- Iowa is one of six states that grant psychologists prescriptive authority, with its law passed in 2016 and the credential overseen by the Iowa Board of Psychology.
- Iowa uses a conditional path: after the degree and exam, you complete a minimum of two years of supervised prescribing, considering at least 300 patients and treating at least 100 with psychotropic medications, before a full prescription certificate.
- The supervising physician must be board-certified in family medicine, internal medicine, neurology, pediatrics, or psychiatry, and the supervision plan spells out the scope and any limits on what you can prescribe.
- Drake University, based in Des Moines, runs an in-state, fully asynchronous APA-designated MS in Clinical Psychopharmacology, one of the most flexible programs in the country.
- Clinical and counseling psychologists in Iowa earn a median of $91,690 (BLS, May 2025), with prescribing psychologists generally earning above that baseline.
Iowa joined the prescriptive-authority states in 2016, a fit for a largely rural state where access to psychiatric prescribers is uneven. Prescribing psychologists help reach patients in parts of Iowa where the nearest psychiatrist may be hours away.
Iowa's path runs through a conditional prescribing certificate before full authority. After completing an APA-designated program of postdoctoral psychopharmacology study (didactic instruction, clinical experience, and a practicum) and passing the PEP exam, a psychologist practices as a conditional prescribing psychologist for a minimum of two years. During that period, under Iowa's joint rules, you must consider at least 300 patients for psychopharmacological intervention and treat at least 100 with psychotropic medications. The supervising physician must be board-certified in family medicine, internal medicine, neurology, pediatrics, or psychiatry, and a written supervision plan defines your scope.
Iowa has a strong in-state option. Drake University in Des Moines offers a fully asynchronous, APA-designated MS in Clinical Psychopharmacology, which is one of the most schedule-friendly programs available anywhere. Iowa psychologists can also complete any of the other APA-designated programs nationwide online. We compare all seven on our best online psychopharmacology programs page.
Clinical Psychopharmacology Programs for Iowa Psychologists
All 3 programs ranked in this guide, with tuition, format, and accreditation at a glance.
| # | School | In-State Tuition | Format | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Drake University | See program for current tuition | 100% online | |
| 2 | Alliant International University | See program for current tuition | Online with live class sessions | |
| 3 | Idaho State University | See program for current tuition | Online |
Drake University
In-State
See program for current tuition
Out-of-State
See program for current tuition
Length
About 2 to 3 years part-time
Field Hours
Supervised prescribing arranged to meet Iowa's conditional-period requirement
Concentrations
- The in-state, APA-designated MSCP program in Iowa
- Fully asynchronous, the most flexible format among designated programs
- Based in Des Moines, a natural fit for Iowa psychologists
- No required live sessions to work around
- Built for psychologists adding training to a full caseload
Alliant International University
In-State
See program for current tuition
Out-of-State
See program for current tuition
Length
About 2 years
Field Hours
Supervised hours arranged to meet your state requirement
Concentrations
- Founded the first postdoctoral MSCP program in the country (CSPP, 1998)
- APA-designated, available to Iowa residents online
- Live online classes that keep the cohort connected
- Deep institutional expertise in professional psychology training
- A strong national alternative to the in-state Drake program
Idaho State University
In-State
See program for current tuition
Out-of-State
See program for current tuition
Length
About 2 years
Field Hours
Supervised hours arranged to meet your state requirement
Concentrations
- Housed in a College of Pharmacy, the deepest biomedical setting available
- APA-designated, available to Iowa residents online
- Fully online, asynchronous didactic-only track
- Strong pharmacology grounding taught alongside pharmacy faculty
- A respected national alternative for Iowa psychologists
Iowa Prescribing Psychologist (RxP) Requirements
Iowa Conditional and Full Prescription Certificate (RxP)
Issued by: Iowa Board of Psychology (Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing)
- Hold an active Iowa psychologist license (doctoral degree plus the standard licensure path).
- Complete an APA-designated postdoctoral psychopharmacology program, including didactic instruction, clinical experience, and a practicum.
- Pass the Psychopharmacology Examination for Psychologists (PEP).
- Complete a minimum of two years of supervised practice as a conditional prescribing psychologist.
- During the conditional period, consider at least 300 patients for psychopharmacological intervention and treat at least 100 with psychotropic medications.
- Practice under a supervising physician board-certified in family medicine, internal medicine, neurology, pediatrics, or psychiatry, following a written supervision plan.
Renewal
Prescribing psychologists complete continuing education in psychopharmacology to maintain the certificate, in addition to the continuing education required for psychology licensure in Iowa.
Psychologist Salary in Iowa
Job Market
BLS Employment
About 440 clinical and counseling psychologists in Iowa (BLS, May 2025)
Projected Growth
6% projected growth for psychologists nationally through 2034
Top Employers
University of Iowa Health Care, UnityPoint Health, MercyOne, community mental health centers, rural health clinics, the VA, and private practices. Rural Iowa's shortage of psychiatric prescribers is a central reason the state authorized prescribing psychologists.
How to Choose
Decision factors that actually matter, not generic checklist filler.
In-state versus online. Drake is the Iowa-based APA-designated program and happens to be fully asynchronous, which is unusually flexible. Other online programs are open to Iowa residents too.
The conditional period. Plan for the two-year supervised practice with its 300-patient and 100-treatment thresholds, not just the coursework.
Supervising physician. Iowa requires a board-certified supervisor in specific specialties. Line up that relationship early.
APA designation. Iowa requires an APA-designated program. Every program we list holds it.
Cost and pace. Compare total cost and how each program's schedule fits your practice.
Related Pages
Best Online Clinical Psychopharmacology Programs
All seven APA-designated MSCP programs, ranked, including Drake.
How to Become a Prescribing Psychologist
The full RxP path, the PEP exam, and which states allow prescriptive authority.
Clinical Psychologist Salary
The baseline psychologist pay that prescriptive authority builds on.
Sources
- Iowa Admin. Code 645-244, Prescribing Psychologists
- Iowa Admin. Code 653-19.3, Supervised Practice as a Conditional Prescribing Psychologist
- Iowa Board of Psychology (DIAL)
- Drake University, Online MS in Clinical Psychopharmacology
- APA, Designation of Postdoctoral Programs in Psychopharmacology
- BLS OEWS, Clinical and Counseling Psychologists, Iowa (May 2025)
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Psychologists