Can you export files in obj or iges format with Houdini apprentice?

No. Apprentice doesn't allow exporting of files outside of houdini (else you could still use it in your vfx pipeline )

Correction. Apprentice users have been able to write out .obj or .iges files and other formats since Houdini 8.2.

One just has to put the extension they want & Houdini will output in the format.

Obviously, the Apprentice license agreement still applies to how the data is used so please be mindful of that.

Cheers!
steven

Does collada work (.dae)?

Unfortunately not.

What about exporting FBX from App. HD now that 9.5 is in play? Any news there?

Well, it's not in Apprentice or Apprentice HD. It's only in the commercial versions.