Iowa Nurses CE Requirements, Accreditations & Approvals

Iowa Nurses

In support of improving patient care, NetCE is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

The Iowa Board of Nursing accepts courses from any provider who is ANCC accredited.

Continuing Education Requirement

License Renewals and Continuing Education: Per Iowa Board of Nursing memorandum dated February 7, 2022, the Governor's Proclamation of Disaster Emergency in response to COVID-19 ended February 15, 2022. This means beginning February 16, 2022, nurses may no longer work in Iowa on a non-Compact, out-of-state license. However, the Board of Nursing has authorized a grace period of 90 days to resume compliance with normal licensure regulations. Nurses working in Iowa under the emergency-practice rule will have until May 17, 2022 inclusive, to obtain proper licensure to continue practicing in Iowa. For more information, please visit: https://nursing.iowa.gov/coronavirus-covid-19-information and https://nursing.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2022/02/2022_02_07_memo_on_proclamation_ending.pdf.

The Iowa Board of Nursing accepts NetCE courses.

RNs and LPNs are required 36 contact hours every three years.

ARNPs are required to maintain national certification.

ARNPs who supervise the use of fluoroscopic x-ray equipment must complete an annual radiological safety course, as well as a one-time requirement including content in radiation physics, radiobiology, radiological safety and radiation management applicable to the use of fluoroscopy.

ARNPs who prescribed opioids during the renewal cycle are required to complete 2 hours every three years regarding the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for prescribing opioids for chronic pain.

All licensees who are mandatory reporters are required 2 hours in identifying and reporting abuse of children and/or 2 hours in identifying and reporting abuse of dependent adults, unless exempt. For all subsequent renewals, licensees are required 1 hour of recertification training (for each course) every three years.

The initial 2 hours must be completed within the first six months of employment/self-employment and the 1-hour recertification course will be available in 2022. All mandatory reporter training may only be completed through the Iowa Department of Human Services. See training here: https://dhs.iowa.gov/child-welfare/mandatoryreporter.

View RN and LPN Special Offers
View ARNP Special Offers
View Course List

All Accreditations and Approvals
RN/LPN License Renewal Instructions
ARNP License Renewal Instructions

For More Information

Please contact the Iowa Board of Nursing at (515) 281-3255, or visit their website at https://nursing.iowa.gov/.

Additional information regarding your continuing education requirements may be found at:
https://nursing.iowa.gov/continuing-education/continuing-ed-licensees/ce-basic-requirements - All Licensees.
https://www.legis.iowa.gov/law/administrativeRules/chapters?agency=655 - RNs and LPNs (IAC Rule 655.5.2).
https://www.legis.iowa.gov/law/administrativeRules/chapters?agency=655 - ARNPs (IAC Rules 655.7.1 thru 655.7.8).