Iowa Board of Nursing (administered by DIAL — Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing) · NP

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

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.

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

Reviewed by Doug Doehrman, MD · Last reviewed April 25, 2026

Mandatory topics

For NPs, 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[1]
Hrs vary
Triennial
Mandatory Reporters of Child and Dependent Adult Abuse course — same requirement as RN; required for ARNPs who regularly interact with children or dependent adults. Counts toward the 36-hour total.
View sourceVerbatim from source
“Nurses must complete the Mandatory Reporters of Child and Dependent Adult Abuse course as a required component of renewal.”
Iowa Admin. Code 481-619.2See 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]
2 hrs
Triennial

ARNPs who prescribe opioids during their three-year renewal cycle

View sourceVerbatim from source
“ARNPs who prescribe opioids during their three-year renewal cycle must complete at least two hours of education addressing the current CDC prescribing guidelines.”
Iowa Admin. Code 481-619.2 / DIAL ARNP CE Requirements pageSee source [2] in Primary Sources
ConditionalProcedures[2]
Hrs vary
Triennial

ARNPs who provide direct supervision of fluoroscopic equipment under Iowa Admin. Code 481-621.4(5)

View detailsEditorial summary
ARNPs who supervise fluoroscopic equipment must complete an initial educational course covering radiation physics, radiobiology, radiological safety and radiation management. No specific board-approved course required for ongoing CE — practitioners must maintain appropriate training for safe practice. Initial course required before supervising.
Iowa Admin. Code 481-621.4(5)See 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
ANCC Contact Hour
ANCC-accredited CE and equivalent nursing and ARNP-level CE accepted. 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]
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[2]
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

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.

FAQ
Does Iowa require opioid prescribing CE for ARNPs?
Yes, conditionally. ARNPs who prescribe opioids during their three-year renewal cycle must complete at least two contact hours of education on current CDC opioid prescribing guidelines, covering topics including chronic pain management, dosing, prescription length, abuse risk factors, and nonpharmacologic alternatives. This two-hour requirement may count toward the 36-hour total. Writing hospital orders alone does not trigger this requirement, but writing opioid orders as a CRNA does.
Is Iowa in the APRN Compact?
No. Iowa is a member of the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC) — which governs the underlying RN license — but is not a member of the APRN Compact. Iowa ARNPs who wish to practice as APRNs in other states must obtain APRN licensure in those states individually. The NLC multistate license permits RN practice in member states but does not confer APRN authority across state lines.
Does Iowa require national certification for ARNP renewal?
Yes. Iowa requires ARNPs to hold and maintain national certification from a recognized certifying body as a condition of ARNP licensure. In addition to serving as a licensure requirement, maintaining current national certification is recognized as satisfying the full 36-hour CE requirement for the triennial renewal cycle, making certification maintenance doubly valuable for Iowa ARNPs.
Where can I check my Iowa ARNP license renewal date?
Iowa ARNP and RN license information is available through the DIAL portal at https://dial.iowa.gov/licenses/medical/nursing-midwifery. CE documentation must be retained for four years and must be submitted within 30 days if selected for a Board audit. Iowa's Board conducts monthly random audits of licensees.

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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. Iowa DIAL — Continuing Education for Nursing Licensees
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-23
    Show verbatim text
    “Nurses must complete the Mandatory Reporters of Child and Dependent Adult Abuse course as a required component of renewal.”Iowa Admin. Code 481-619.2
  2. Iowa DIAL — ARNP Continuing Education Requirements
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-23
    Show verbatim text
    “ARNPs who prescribe opioids during their three-year renewal cycle must complete at least two hours of education addressing the current CDC prescribing guidelines.”Iowa Admin. Code 481-619.2 / DIAL ARNP CE Requirements page
  3. Iowa Admin. Code Rule 655-5.2 (now 481-619.2) — Continuing Education
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-23

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 — Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing), 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's medical board before relying on any information presented here.

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