Below is exactly what Iowa Board of Nursing (administered by DIAL — Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing) requires: mandatory topics, exemptions, accepted credit types, and documentation rules.
Compiled by Atlas CME from official board sources · Last updated April 25, 2026
Iowa has no state-mandated topic requirements beyond the 36-hour total.
These rules apply only when the trigger described under each card is met (for example, holding a state-issued controlled substance registration or treating a specific patient population). Each cites the underlying statute or rule directly.
ARNPs who examine, attend, counsel, or treat children in Iowa
“The person shall complete the core training curriculum relating to the identification and reporting of child abuse every three years.”
ARNPs who examine, attend, counsel, or treat dependent adults in Iowa
“The person shall complete the core training curriculum relating to the identification and reporting of dependent adult abuse every three years.”
ARNPs who prescribe opioids during the three-year renewal cycle
“ARNPs that prescribe opioids during the three-year renewal cycle must take continuing education. Continuing education must be at least two hours and address the”
ARNPs who provide direct supervision of fluoroscopic equipment under Iowa Admin. Code 481-621.4(5)
“must complete an initial educational course”
Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, Iowa Medical Association, or AAFP. ACGME residency or fellowship time accrues toward the requirement. Teaching or presenting accredited CME can satisfy a portion of required hours.
| Credit system | Notes |
|---|---|
ANCC Contact Hour | ANCC-accredited CE and equivalent nursing and ARNP-level CE accepted under the current subject-matter test (product-modeling mapping onto Iowa Admin. Code r. 481—619.2(3); Iowa no longer names ANCC by rule as of the 6/4/25 re-promulgation). 36 contact hours per 3-year period; up to 18 hours may be carried over from a prior period.SourceIowa Admin. Code 481—619.2(3) subject-matter test (18-hr carryover independently survives at current 619.2(2)'b')[4] |
Board-approved credit | Iowa accepts CE targeted to ARNP-level practice. AANA certification renewal CE meets the Iowa ARNP CE requirement for CRNAs.SourceIowa Admin. Code 481—619.2(3)'h'[3] |
Physicians are responsible for retaining CME documentation and producing it on request. Requirements include course title, dates, hours, sponsoring organization, and accrediting body.
The continuing education required for ARNP certification meets both the ARNP CE requirement and the RN license renewal CE requirement — ARNPs do not need separate RN CE hours.
Active military duty, current licensure in another mandatory CE state, employment outside the US, or documented disability — same exemptions as for RNs.
Atlas CME tracks your hours, maps them to your state requirements, and reminds you before your your license anniversary renewal.
Every mandatory topic and conditional requirement above cites the underlying statute or rule. Numbered references below correspond to the bracketed citations next to each requirement.
“The person shall complete the core training curriculum relating to the identification and reporting of child abuse every three years.”Iowa Code § 232.69(3)(b); rule layer Iowa Admin. Code r. 481—617.8(3)'d'(2)
“The person shall complete the core training curriculum relating to the identification and reporting of dependent adult abuse every three years.”Iowa Code § 235B.16(5)(b); rule layer Iowa Admin. Code r. 481—617.8(3)'d'(3)
“ARNPs that prescribe opioids during the three-year renewal cycle must take continuing education. Continuing education must be at least two hours and address the”DIAL ARNP CE Requirements — Opioid Continuing Education
“must complete an initial educational course”DIAL ARNP CE Requirements — Fluoroscopy Supervision; Iowa Admin. Code r. 481—621.4(5)'a'(1)