Physicians · Iowa · Continuing education
Iowa CME Requirements for Physicians (2026)
01 In short
- MD/DO40 hours of category 1 credit every 2 years, including 2 h opioid prescribing & pain management (every 5 years), 2 h child abuse recognition & reporting (every 3 years), 2 h end-of-life & palliative care (every 5 years), 2 h mandated reporter training (every 3 years); renewal by the end of your birth month.
Official source: the state licensing board · checked Oct 28, 2026
02 Calculator
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03 Requirements
Iowa MD/DO CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 40hours of category 1 credit
- Renewal cycle
- 2 years
- Deadline
- Birth month
- Reporting
- Attestation
- Renewal deadline
- By the end of your birth month
- Category 1 minimum
- 40
- Accepted credit
- Category 1 credit from accredited providers; ACOG formal cognates and AAFP prescribed credits accepted as equivalent. Residency participation or ABMS/AOA board certification/recertification in the period = 50 hours; up to 10 hours/year for board, health committee or peer review service
- Carryover
- Up to 20 hours of category 1 credit may be carried into the next license period.
- New licensees
- A first license issued for less than 24 months (to align with birth month) needs pro-rated hours.
- Audits & records
- Keep documentation (dates, subjects, duration, proof). The board may audit at any time; respond within 30 days.
- Renew online
- amanda-portal.idph.state.ia.us ↗
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Opioid prescribing & pain managementLicensees who prescribed opioids in the prior license period; Category 1 on CDC opioid prescribing guidelines (chronic pain management), every 5 years | 2 | every 5 years |
| Child abuse recognition & reportingPhysicians who regularly provide primary care to children (emergency, family, general practice, pediatrics, psychiatry, others); HHS-approved training every 3 years | 2 | every 3 years |
| End-of-life & palliative careLicensees who regularly provide direct care to actively dying patients; Category 1, every 5 years | 2 | every 5 years |
| Mandated reporter trainingDependent adult abuse identification and reporting; physicians who regularly provide primary care to adults (emergency, family, general practice, internal medicine, OB/GYN, psychiatry, others); every 3 years | 2 | every 3 years |
Alternatives & exemptions. Exempt for active military duty, practice only in another state that has CE rules (and no care to Iowa patients), government work abroad; extension/exemption up to one year for disability or illness.
Good to know. One board for MDs and DOs. Permanent licenses renew biennially by birth month; special licenses annually with 20 hours. Board website returned 403 to us; data from the Iowa Administrative Code.
Source: www.legis.iowa.gov · Iowa Admin. Code 481—Chapter 654 (formerly 653—Chapter 11) · checked Oct 28, 2026
04 Questions
Which CE courses count for physicians in Iowa?
Category 1 credit from accredited providers; ACOG formal cognates and AAFP prescribed credits accepted as equivalent. Residency participation or ABMS/AOA board certification/recertification in the period = 50 hours; up to 10 hours/year for board, health committee or peer review service.
How do I verify a physician license in Iowa?
Use the license lookup of the Iowa Board of Medicine (medicalboard.iowa.gov); the board's own record is the primary source. CE status itself is checked by the board at renewal.
How many CE hours do physicians need in Iowa?
40 hours of category 1 credit every 2 years, at least 40 of them Category 1.
Which CE topics are mandatory for physicians in Iowa?
Opioid prescribing & pain management — 2 h (every 5 years); Child abuse recognition & reporting — 2 h (every 3 years); End-of-life & palliative care — 2 h (every 5 years); Mandated reporter training — 2 h (every 3 years).
How do physicians report CE in Iowa?
By attesting on the renewal application; keep certificates in case of an audit.
When is the renewal deadline for physicians in Iowa?
Licenses renew by the end of your birth month (2 years cycle).