Iowa Dental Board · DDS/DMD

30 hours. Every two years. Tied to your license anniversary.

Below is exactly what Iowa Dental Board requires: mandatory topics, exemptions, accepted credit types, and documentation rules.

Updated April 2026Sourced from IDB~5 min read

Reviewed by Doug Doehrman, MD · Last reviewed May 5, 2026

Mandatory topics

For Dentists, 30 hours is the total CME requirement. Iowa also requires a set of one-time topics that count toward the 30-hour total.

Infectious disease[1]
1 hr
Biennial
Minimum 1 hour of infection control CE per biennium.
View sourceVerbatim from source
“A minimum of one hour of continuing education in the area of infection control”
IAC 481—573.1(1)gSee source [1] in Primary Sources
Professional Boundaries[1]
1 hr
Biennial
Minimum 1 hour of Iowa jurisprudence CE per biennium related to the practice of dentistry.
View sourceVerbatim from source
“A minimum of one hour of continuing education in the area of Iowa jurisprudence related to the practice of dentistry”
IAC 481—573.1(1)hSee source [1] in Primary Sources
Abuse Reporting Child[1]
2 hrs
Biennial
Mandatory reporter training for child abuse: 2 hours per biennium (or current child-abuse mandatory reporter training certificate). Counts within the 30-hour total. Distinct from dependent adult abuse training under IAC 481—573.1(1)e.
View sourceVerbatim from source
“mandatory reporter training for child abuse and dependent adult abuse... two hours of continuing education credit”
IAC 481—573.1(1)eSee source [1] in Primary Sources
Abuse Reporting Dependent Adult[1]
2 hrs
Biennial
Mandatory reporter training for dependent adult abuse: 2 hours per biennium (or current dependent-adult-abuse mandatory reporter training certificate). Counts within the 30-hour total. Distinct curriculum from child abuse training.
View sourceVerbatim from source
“mandatory reporter training for child abuse and dependent adult abuse... two hours of continuing education credit”
IAC 481—573.1(1)eSee source [1] in Primary Sources
Cpr[1]
3 hrs
Biennial
maximum 3 hours of CE credit per biennium. PALS/ACLS may be claimed hour-for-hour.
View sourceVerbatim from source
“cardiopulmonary certification, which results in a maximum of three hours”
IAC 481—573.1(1)fSee 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 / controlled substances[2]
1 hr
Biennial

Dentists who prescribed opioids during the previous biennium renewal period

View sourceVerbatim from source
“Beginning in 2019, dentists who prescribe opioids during the previous biennium renewal period are required to complete a minimum of one hour of continuing education in the subject of opioids.”
IAC 481 Ch 573See 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
ADA CERP
ADA CERP-recognized providers customarily accepted.
AGD PACE
AGD PACE-approved providers customarily accepted.
Board-approved credit
max 15 hrs
Up to 15 hours of CE from the previous renewal period may carry forward.Sourcehttps://dentalboard.iowa.gov/practitioners/continuing-education[2]
Documentation & audit

Sponsors must retain attendance records for 5 years.

Waivers & exemptions

First-renewal CE exemption — licensees are exempt from CE requirements for the first renewal period, or portion thereof, following original issuance of the license.

FAQ
Does Iowa treat DDS and DMD differently for CE purposes?
No. The Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) and Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degrees are equivalent in Iowa, and the Iowa Dental Board licenses both under Iowa Code Chapter 153. The same 30-hour biennial CE obligation, the same carryover allowance, and the same mandatory topic minimums apply to every Iowa dentist regardless of degree title.
Are ADA CERP credits accepted in Iowa?
ADA CERP-recognized providers and AGD PACE-approved providers are customarily accepted by the Iowa Dental Board. The full provider acceptance list lives in IAC 481 Chapter 573; the verbatim rule text was not pulled into our current Layer 1 record. CODA-accredited dental school CE and dental association programs are customarily accepted as well.
Are there mandatory CE topics for dentist renewal in Iowa?
Yes. Iowa requires a minimum of 1 hour each in mandatory subject areas including infection control and jurisprudence per biennium. Dentists who prescribed opioids during the prior biennium must complete 1 hour of opioid CE per cycle (counts within the 30 hours). DEA-registered dentists are subject to the federal MATE Act 8-hour SUD training as a separate federal obligation.
Where can I check my Iowa dental license renewal date?
DIAL maintains license verification at dial.iowa.gov/licenses/medical/dental. The Iowa Dental Board CE page at dentalboard.iowa.gov/practitioners/continuing-education has current CE rules and renewal information.

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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. IAC 481 Chapter 573 — Dental Continuing Education
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-30
    Show verbatim text
    “A minimum of one hour of continuing education in the area of infection control”IAC 481—573.1(1)g
    “A minimum of one hour of continuing education in the area of Iowa jurisprudence related to the practice of dentistry”IAC 481—573.1(1)h
    “mandatory reporter training for child abuse and dependent adult abuse... two hours of continuing education credit”IAC 481—573.1(1)e
    “cardiopulmonary certification, which results in a maximum of three hours”IAC 481—573.1(1)f
  2. Iowa Dental Board — Continuing Education
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-30
    Show verbatim text
    “Beginning in 2019, dentists who prescribe opioids during the previous biennium renewal period are required to complete a minimum of one hour of continuing education in the subject of opioids.”IAC 481 Ch 573

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

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