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Iowa

Iowa Continuing Education Requirements

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Below are details about continuing education and license renewal in Iowa. You can skip to your profession by selecting it from the drop down list above.

Iowa Registered Nurse (RN)

Iowa Requires
36 Hours
Every three years
ANCC
Approved Provider
#P0274
Iowa requires
36 hours Every three years
ANCC
Approved Provider #P0274
Last Updated: Friday, March 22, 2024

Iowa RNs are required to complete 36 contact hours for a 3-year license renewal.

Special Requirements
In Iowa, two separate mandatory reporter trainings are required for most school employees. The two mandatory reporter trainings are:
  • Mandatory Reporter: Child Abuse
  • Mandatory Reporter: Dependent Adult Abuse
CEUFast is unable to provide this course for Iowa-mandated reporters. 
Effective July 1, 2019, Iowa HHS is responsible for developing and providing all training for mandatory reporters in Iowa. https://dhs.iowa.gov/child-welfare/mandatoryreporter

Certificates of completion for both mandatory reporter trainings are required for the following situations:
  • Employment in a licensed position
  • License renewal
Required Courses Not Provided by CEUfast
  • Mandatory reporter trainings for child and dependent adult abuse. Mandatory reporter training can be completed on the Iowa Department of Human Services website. https://dhs.iowa.gov/child-welfare/mandatoryreporter
Complete all Iowa Required RN CEs
$39
  • Unlimited Certificates (1 Year)
  • Instant access to certificates
  • and much more ...
Start Today
Iowa Board of Nursing
Phone: 515-281-3255 Fax: 515-281-4825 Website: Visit Site Email: Contact Address: 6200 Park Avenue Suite 100
Des Moines, IA  50321

Iowa Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)

Iowa Requires
36 Hours
Every three years
ANCC
Approved Provider
#P0274
Iowa requires
36 hours Every three years
ANCC
Approved Provider #P0274
Last Updated: Monday, January 29, 2024
36 contact hours for a 3-year license renewal

Two contact hours of continuing education (CE) regarding the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guideline for prescribing opioids for chronic pain, including recommendations on limitations on dosages and the length of prescriptions, risk factors for abuse, and nonopioid and nonpharmacologic therapy options.
On June 27, 2023, a one-time requirement went into effect for all DEA prescribers. DEA prescribers must complete 8 hours of education on the treatment or management of patients with opioid or other substance use disorders.
Required Courses Not Provided by CEUfast
  • Mandatory reporter trainings for child and dependent adult abuse. Mandatory reporter training can be completed on the Iowa Department of Human Services website. https://dhs.iowa.gov/child-welfare/mandatoryreporter
Complete all Iowa Required ARNP CEs
$39
  • Unlimited Certificates (1 Year)
  • Instant access to certificates
  • and much more ...
Start Today
Iowa Board of Nursing
Phone: 515-281-3624 Fax: 515-281-4825 Website: Visit Site Email: Contact Address: Dept of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing
6200 Park Avenue, Suite 100
Des Moines  50321

Iowa Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

Iowa Requires
36 Hours
Every three years
ANCC
Approved Provider
#P0274
Iowa requires
36 hours Every three years
ANCC
Approved Provider #P0274
Last Updated: Friday, March 22, 2024
Iowa LIPNs are required to complete 36 contact hours for a 3-year license renewal. 

Appropriate subject matter for continuing education credit includes:
  • Nursing practice related to health care in any setting
  • Professional growth and development related to nursing practice
  • Patient care and health services
  • Sciences supporting nursing practice, education, or research 
  • e.g., nursing theories and biological, physical, behavioral, computer, social, or basic sciences
  • Social, economic, ethical and legal aspects of healthcare
  • Management or administration of health care, healthcare personnel, or healthcare facilities
  • Education of patients, or their significant others, students, or personnel in the healthcare field
Special Requirements
In Iowa, two separate mandatory reporter trainings are required for most school employees. The two mandatory reporter trainings are:
  • Mandatory Reporter: Child Abuse
  • Mandatory Reporter: Dependent Adult Abuse

CEUFast is unable to provide this course for Iowa-mandated reporters. 
Effective July 1, 2019, Iowa HHS is responsible for developing and providing all training for mandatory reporters in Iowa. https://dhs.iowa.gov/child-welfare/mandatoryreporter

Certificates of completion for both mandatory reporter trainings are required for the following situations:
  • Employment in a licensed position
  • License renewal
Complete all Iowa Required LPN CEs
$39
  • Unlimited Certificates (1 Year)
  • Instant access to certificates
  • and much more ...
Start Today
Iowa Board of Nursing
Phone: 515-281-3255 Fax: 515-281-4825 Website: Visit Site Address: 6200 Park Avenue Suite 100
Des Moines  50321

Iowa Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

ANCC
Approved Provider
#P0274
ANCC
Approved Provider #P0274
Last Updated: Friday, November 3, 2023
CEs not required.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requires that a CNA perform at least a day of nursing or nursing-related duties every 24 months. Additionally, long-term care facilities only are required to provide and CNAs are required to complete at least 12 hours of in-service training per year. 

Please check with your facility/employer to ensure CEUFast courses are accepted. 
Iowa Direct Care Worker Registry
Phone: 515-281-7102 Website: Visit Site Email: Contact Address: Lucas State Office Building, 321 East 12th Street
Des Moines  50319

Iowa Physical Therapist (PT)

Last Updated: Thursday, March 28, 2024
Must earn 40 hours of continuing education biennially
Special Requirements
Each biennium, each person who is licensed to practice as a physical therapist assistant in this state shall be required to complete a minimum of 40 hours of continuing education approved by the board; a minimum of  30 hours shall be directly and primarily related to the clinical application of physical therapy.

Continuing education hours of credit in the following topics are not considered to be directly
and primarily related to the clinical application of physical therapy and therefore must not exceed a
maximum combined total of 5 hours of credit for a physical therapist licensee:
(1) Business-related topics, such as marketing, time management, government regulations, and
other like topics.
(2) Personal skills topics, such as career burnout, communication skills, human relations, and other
like topics.
(3) General health topics, such as clinical research, CPR, mandatory reporter training, and other
like topics.
Board of Physical & Occupational Therapy
Phone: 515-281-0254 Fax: 515-281-3121 Website: Visit Site Email: Contact Address: 321 E 12th Street, 5th Floor
Des Moines  50319-0075

Iowa Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)

Last Updated: Thursday, March 28, 2024
Must earn 20 hours of continuing education biennially
Special Requirements
Each biennium, each person who is licensed to practice as a physical therapist assistant in this state shall be required to complete a minimum of 20 hours of continuing education approved by the board; a minimum of  15 hours shall be directly and primarily related to the clinical application of physical therapy.

Continuing education hours of credit in the following topics are not considered to be directly
and primarily related to the clinical application of physical therapy and therefore must not exceed a
maximum combined total of 5 hours of credit for a physical therapist licensee:
(1) Business-related topics, such as marketing, time management, government regulations, and
other like topics.
(2) Personal skills topics, such as career burnout, communication skills, human relations, and other
like topics.
(3) General health topics, such as clinical research, CPR, mandatory reporter training, and other
like topics.
Board of Physical & Occupational Therapy
Phone: 515-281-0254 Fax: 515-281-3121 Website: Visit Site Address: 321 E 12th Street, 5th Floor
Des Moines  50319-0075

Iowa Occupational Therapist (OT)

Iowa Requires
30 Hours
Every two years
ANCC
Approved Provider
#P0274
Iowa requires
30 hours Every two years
ANCC
Approved Provider #P0274
Last Updated: Thursday, March 28, 2024
Each biennium, each person who is licensed to practice as an occupational therapy assistant in this state shall be required to complete a minimum of 30 hours of continuing education approved by the board; a minimum of 20 hours shall be directly and primarily related to the clinical application of occupational therapy.
Complete all Iowa Required OT CEs
$39
  • Unlimited Certificates (1 Year)
  • Instant access to certificates
  • and much more ...
Start Today
Board of Physical & Occupational Therapy
Phone: 515-281-0254 Fax: 515-281-7969 Website: Visit Site Email: Contact Address: 400 SW 8th Street Suite D
Des Moines  50309

Iowa Occupational Therapist Assistant (OTA)

Iowa Requires
15 Hours
Every two years
ANCC
Approved Provider
#P0274
Iowa requires
15 hours Every two years
ANCC
Approved Provider #P0274
Last Updated: Thursday, March 28, 2024
Each biennium, each person who is licensed to practice as an occupational therapy assistant in this state shall be required to complete a minimum of 15 hours of continuing education approved by the board; a minimum of 10 hours shall be directly and primarily related to the clinical application of occupational therapy.
Complete all Iowa Required OTA CEs
$39
  • Unlimited Certificates (1 Year)
  • Instant access to certificates
  • and much more ...
Start Today
Board of Physical & Occupational Therapy
Phone: 515-281-0254 Fax: 515-281-7969 Website: Visit Site Email: Contact Address: 400 SW 8th Street Suite D
Des Moines  50309

Iowa Athletic Trainer (AT/AL)

Iowa Requires
50 Hours
Every two years
ANCC
Approved Provider
#P0274
Iowa requires
50 hours Every two years
ANCC
Approved Provider #P0274
CEUfast Meets All Requirements
Last Updated: Thursday, March 28, 2024
Each biennium, an athletic trainer in this state shall be required to complete a minimum of 50 hours of continining education approved by the board. 

Continuing education hours of credit shall be obtained by participating in a course provided by a BOC-approved provider of continuing education.
Required Courses
Complete all Iowa Required AT CEs
$39
  • Unlimited Certificates (1 Year)
  • Instant access to certificates
  • and much more ...
Start Today
Iowa HHS Bureau of Professional Licensure
Phone: 515-281-0254 Fax: 515-281-3121 Website: Visit Site Email: Contact Address: Riverpointe Office Complex
400 SW 8th St Suite D
Des Moines  50309

Iowa Respiratory Therapist (RT)

Iowa Requires
24 Hours
Every two years
ANCC
Approved Provider
#P0274
Iowa requires
24 hours Every two years
ANCC
Approved Provider #P0274
CEUfast Meets All Requirements
Last Updated: Saturday, December 23, 2023
Respiratory Care Practitioners in Iowa must complete a minimum of 24 hours of continuing education each biennium.  The compliance period shall extend for a two-year period beginning on April 1 of each even-numbered year and ending on March 31st of the next even-numbered year. 

CEUFast can provide continuing education courses because the Bureau of Professional Licensure does not pre-approve continuing education providers, sponsors, or individual programs. It is the licensees' responsibility to determine if the continuing education program meets the board requirements. 
Special Requirements
Required Courses Not Provided by CEUfast
  • Mandatory Reporter Training https://hhs.iowa.gov/child-welfare/mandatoryreporter
Complete all Iowa Required RT CEs
$39
  • Unlimited Certificates (1 Year)
  • Instant access to certificates
  • and much more ...
Start Today
Dept. of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing
Phone: 515-281-0254 Fax: 515-281-7969 Website: Visit Site Email: Contact Address: 6200 Park Avenue, Suite 100
Des Moines  50321

Iowa Medical Assistant (MA)

ANCC
Approved Provider
#P0274
ANCC
Approved Provider #P0274
Last Updated: Wednesday, November 15, 2023
CEs not required.
Iowa medical assistants do not hold state licensing. Nor are they mandated to hold third-party certification – at least not by state law. Actual requirements vary by employer.
Iowa Department of Public Health
Phone: 515-281-7689 Website: Visit Site Address: Lucas State Office Building
321 E. 12th Street
Des Moines  50319-0075