Iowa Registered Nurse (RN) Continuing Education Requirements
Requirements Overview
Iowa requires 36 contact hours of CE per triennial (3-year) renewal cycle. The longer cycle means more total hours but a lower annual pace than biennial states. CE offerings must be at least 1 hour; after the first hour, every 15-minute increment counts for a quarter-hour of credit.
Nurses who regularly work with children or dependent adults must complete 2 hours on abuse identification and reporting through the Iowa Department of Human Services (courses DS 168 and DS 169). These count toward the 36-hour total but cannot be completed through third-party providers.
As of June 2025, the Board no longer pre-approves CE providers or content — nurses choose CE relevant to their practice. Licenses renew on the 15th of the birth month every 3 years ($99 fee, $50 late fee). CE documentation must be kept for 4 years.
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identification and Reporting of Child and Dependent Adult Abuse | 2 | Every renewal | Required for nurses who regularly examine, attend, counsel, or treat children or dependent adults. Two courses: DS 168 (Dependent Adult Abuse) and DS 169 (Child Abuse). Must be completed through the Iowa Department of Human Services. Counts toward the 36 CE hours. |
Renewal Pathways
Exemptions
- Exceptions Per IAC 481.619 — Iowa Administrative Code outlines exceptions that may be granted in certain circumstances.Specific exceptions are detailed in IAC 481.619 but not enumerated on the DIAL webpage.
How You Can Complete Your CE
Provider Requirements
Effective June 4, 2025, the Iowa Board of Nursing removed its requirement to approve CE providers and CE content. Nurses may now choose CE that helps them meet the standard of care in their practice. ANCC-accredited providers are widely accepted. Mandatory reporter training must be completed through the Iowa Department of Human Services.
Tips for Iowa RNs
- With the 3-year cycle, it's easy to procrastinate. Break it into roughly 12 hours per year to stay on track without a last-minute rush.
- Mandatory reporter training (abuse identification) must come from the Iowa DHS specifically — third-party CE providers won't satisfy this requirement.
- Since June 2025, Iowa no longer pre-approves CE providers. You have broad flexibility to choose courses relevant to your practice, but keep documentation to prove relevance if audited.
- CE offerings under 1 hour don't count at all. After the first hour, you get quarter-hour credit for each additional 15 minutes.