Nursing CE Requirements in Iowa – Everything You Should Know

Is your nursing license expiring soon?

Don’t know the specific requirements to renew it?

No worries.

We’re here to help. 

Whether you’re a CNA, RN, LPN, or ARNP, there are specific requirements, including mandatory CE courses, that the Iowa Board of Nursing set.

Today, we’ll be talking all about the nursing CE requirements in Iowa. This way, you’ll know what you need to do. 

So let’s begin!

Iowa Nursing CE Requirements

In a hurry?

Here’s a quick summary of the continuing education (CE) requirements for each nursing profession in Iowa:

If you want more details, read below!

Iowa CNA Continuing Education Requirements

If you’re a CNA in Iowa, you have to work at a certified Long-Term Care Facility such as Skilled Facilities, Nursing Homes, and Swing Bed Units in a hospital.

You should work at least 1 day doing nursing-related duties every 2 years.

You should also complete at least 12 hours of in-service training per year from a long-term care facility.

Iowa LPN Continuing Education Requirements

As for LPNs in Iowa, you’re required to complete at least 36 contact hours of continuing education for a 3-year renewal period. 

LPNs who are examining, attending, counseling, or treating children or dependent adults are required (unless exempted) to complete 2 contact hours of mandatory reporter training of abuse in children and dependent adults within their first six months of employment or self-employment. The training should be taken through the Iowa Department of Public Health.

For subsequent renewals, all licensees have to complete 1 hour of recertification for each course, as long as they finish the training before the 3-year expiration date.

Iowa RN Continuing Education Requirements

Just like LPNs, RNs need to complete 36 CE hours every 3-year renewal period. 

Also, RNs who are examining, attending, counseling, or treating children or dependent adults are required to complete the following training (unless exempted) through the Iowa Department of Public Health:

• 2 contact hours in identifying and reporting abuse in children 
• 2 contact hours in identifying and reporting abuse of dependent adults 

This should be done within the first 6 months of employment or self-employment.

For subsequent renewals, all licensees are required only 1 hour of recertification for each course. Again, this is as long as they finish the training prior to the 3-year expiration date.

Iowa ARPN Continuing Education Requirements 

If you hold an ARPN license, you just need to maintain your national certification to renew the license. 

There are no additional CE requirements apart from the ones required by their national certifying body. 

Here is the national certifying body mandatory courses/training for nursing specialty:

ARPN’s who currently prescribe opioids must complete 2 contact hours in guidelines for prescribing opioids for chronic pain every 3 years.

ARPN’s who supervise fluoroscopic x-ray equipment should take an annual radiological safety course.

ARPN’s who are mandatory reporters should complete the following courses (unless exempted) through the Iowa Department of Public Health every 3 years:

• 1 contact hour in identifying and reporting abuse in children
• 1 contact hour in identifying and reporting abuse of dependent adults

FAQs

How many contact hours of continuing education are required for reactivation of license?

For reactivation (or renewing) of a nursing license, Iowa requires at least 36 contact hours of continuing education within 36 months before the date of filing the reactivation application. 

What documents are considered as proof for attending the Mandatory Reporters of Children and Dependent Adults Abuse courses?

A certificate of completion is required and it must include the following:

• Provider’s name
• Licensee’s complete name
• Specific name of the course attended
• Date of attendance
• Iowa Board of Nursing approved provider number
• Iowa Department of Human Services certificate of completion. Licensees can count 2 contact hours of continuing education for the course offered by the Department of Human Services.
• Iowa Department of Health’s approval number

All licensees should keep applicable documents such as transcripts, proof of certification and documentation of compliance with an exemption, certificates of attendance, letters about special approval of informal offerings for at least 4 years.

I have an Iowa nursing license but I work in another state. I do not treat or examine children or dependent adults. Am I required to take the mandatory course?

If this is the case, you are not required to take the mandatory course. If the licensee is audited, a letter from the employer should state that patients treated are not in Iowa.

When is the nursing license expiration and renewal in Iowa?

All licenses are placed on a 3-year renewal cycle. The expiration date is on the 15th day of the licensee’s birth month.

Conclusion

And that’s it!

Hopefully, our quick article helped answer your questions about nursing continuing education requirements in Iowa. 

And now that you know what to do, you should get started right away (if your renewal date is coming up soon).

Last updated: March 29, 2023 (Requirements taken from Iowa BON website)