The Iowa Court of Appeals is composed of nine judges. Appointments to the court are made by the governor from a list of nominees submitted by the State Judicial Nominating Commission. To be considered for appointment a person must be an attorney licensed to practice in Iowa.
A court of appeals judge serves an initial term of office that is one year after appointment and until January 1 following the next judicial retention election after expiration of such year. The regular term of office of judges retained at election is six years. A judge must retire upon reaching the age of 72. A retired judge may serve as a senior judge if assigned by the supreme court to the senior judge program.
