Iowa Board of Nursing (administered by DIAL) · CRNA

36 hours. Every three years. Tied to your license anniversary.

Below is exactly what Iowa Board of Nursing (administered by DIAL) requires: mandatory topics, exemptions, accepted credit types, and documentation rules.

Updated April 2026Sourced from IBN(BD~5 min read

Compiled by Atlas CME from official board sources · Last updated April 30, 2026

Mandatory topics

For CRNAs, 36 hours is the total CME requirement. Iowa also requires a set of one-time topics that count toward the 36-hour total.

Abuse Reporting & Mandatory Reporter[1]
2 hrs
Custom
Iowa requires mandatory reporter training (child and dependent adult abuse) for licensees in qualifying roles as a required component of each renewal. Effective 7/1/2019 the Iowa DHS-administered training cycle changed from every 5 years to every 3 years, aligning with the triennial nursing renewal cycle. (Legacy IDPH certifications remain valid for 5 years from their training date.)
View sourceVerbatim from source
“A licensee who regularly examines, attends, counsels or treats children in Iowa shall indicate on the renewal application completion of training in child abuse identification and reporting as required by Iowa Code section 232.69(3)”
Iowa Admin. Code r. 655-3.7(3)bSee source [1] in Primary Sources
Atlas CME tracks each of these mandatory topics against your Iowa cycle automatically. Start tracking free →
Conditional requirements

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.

ConditionalOpioid/Substance Use[2]
2 hrs
Triennial

ARNPs (including CRNAs) who PRESCRIBE OR ADMINISTER opioids during the 3-year renewal cycle must complete +2 hours of CDC-aligned opioid CE covering chronic pain management, dosing, length of prescriptions, risk factors for abuse, and non-opioid/nonpharmacologic options.

View sourceVerbatim from source
“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 EducationSee source [2] in Primary Sources
Accepted credit

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 systemNotes
NBCRNA Class A
NBCRNA Class A / MAC Ed credits qualify toward the underlying RN CE.
ANCC Contact Hour
ANCC contact hours from accredited providers qualify 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).SourceIowa Admin. Code r. 481—619.2(3) (subject-matter test)[3]
Documentation & audit

Physicians are responsible for retaining CME documentation and producing it on request. Requirements include course title, dates, hours, sponsoring organization, and accrediting body.

Waivers & exemptions

Military exemption — a licensee who served honorably on active duty in the U.S. military during the license period is exempt from the CE requirement (must retain evidence of active duty).

Out-of-state-license exemption — a licensee who holds a current, active license in another state with mandatory CE and resides outside Iowa at renewal/reactivation is exempt.

Overseas-employment exemption — a licensee who worked as an RN/LPN for the government, foreign service, or in missionary work while assigned outside the U.S. during the period is exempt.

Disability/illness exemption — a licensee who had a physical or mental disability or illness during the period may obtain a board-approved extension of time or medical exemption from CE; requires prior board approval.

FAQ
How many state-level CE hours do Iowa CRNAs need?
36 contact hours per triennial (3-year) renewal cycle under Iowa Admin. Code 481.619. The Board states that "The continuing education required for ARNP certification meets the continuing education requirement for ARNP license renewal and RN license renewal," so NBCRNA recertification CE counts. ARNPs who prescribe or administer opioids during the renewal cycle must complete an additional 2 hours of CDC-aligned opioid CE. Mandatory reporter training (2 hours every 3 years) applies in qualifying practice settings.
Does Iowa require NBCRNA certification for CRNA licensure?
Yes. NBCRNA initial certification is required for ARNP/CRNA licensure, and active NBCRNA certification must be maintained for renewal.
Is Iowa part of the APRN Compact?
No. Iowa has not enacted the APRN Compact as of 2026. Iowa is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) for the RN portion.
Where can I check my Iowa CRNA license renewal date?
License status and verification are available through Iowa's eLicense AMANDA portal at amanda-iowa.elicense.iowa.gov/PublicAccess/.

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Other roles in Iowa

CRNAs CME requirements in other states

Sources & Citations

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.

  1. https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/iowa/Iowa-Admin-Code-r-655-3-7
    Source
    Show verbatim text
    “A licensee who regularly examines, attends, counsels or treats children in Iowa shall indicate on the renewal application completion of training in child abuse identification and reporting as required by Iowa Code section 232.69(3)”Iowa Admin. Code r. 655-3.7(3)b
  2. https://dial.iowa.gov/licenses/health-professions/nursing-professional-midwifery/continuing-education/arnp-ce-requirements
    Source
    Show verbatim text
    “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
  3. Iowa Admin. Code 481—Chapter 619 — Continuing Education (capture iowa/crna/iac-481-619)
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-07-03

This page is provided for general educational purposes and reflects the best available information as of the last reviewed date above. CME requirements change. Atlas CME is not affiliated with the Iowa Board of Nursing (administered by DIAL), or any other state medical board, licensing authority, or professional organization. Physicians are solely responsible for verifying their own current CME requirements directly with their state medical board before relying on any information presented here.

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