Marriage & Family Therapists · Iowa · Continuing education
Iowa MFT CE Requirements (2026)
01 In short
- LMFT40 hours every 2 years, including 2 h child abuse recognition & reporting (every 3 years), 3 h medical ethics, professionalism & law, 3 h clinical supervision, 2 h elder abuse (every 3 years); renewal by September 30 in even-numbered years.
Official source: the state licensing board · checked Oct 28, 2026
02 Calculator
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03 Requirements
Iowa LMFT CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 40hours
- Renewal cycle
- 2 years
- Deadline
- Sep 30, even yrs
- Reporting
- Attestation
- Renewal deadline
- By September 30 in even-numbered years
- Accepted credit
- Workshops, conferences, symposiums, webinars and independent study meeting board criteria; academic courses (1 semester hr = 15 h); max 20 h combined for presenting, research, publications, teaching, board service
- Carryover
- Up to 50% of excess CE may be carried into the next biennium.
- New licensees
- No CE required for the first renewal; hours from initial licensure to the second renewal may be used. Licensed within 6 months of the renewal date: no renewal until the next cycle.
- Audits & records
- A percentage of licensees is randomly audited after each renewal cycle; keep certificates (title, dates, hours, sponsor, name) for 4 years.
- Renew online
- dial.iowa.gov ↗
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Child abuse recognition & reportingLicensees who examine, attend, counsel or treat children in Iowa: HHS mandatory reporter training (2 h initial; renewal attests completion within previous 3 years) | 2 | every 3 years |
| Medical ethics, professionalism & lawEthics | 3 | every renewal |
| Clinical supervisionLicensees serving in a supervisory role | 3 | every renewal |
| Elder abuseLicensees who examine, attend, counsel or treat adults in Iowa: HHS dependent adult abuse mandatory reporter training within previous 3 years | 2 | every 3 years |
Good to know. CE compliance period is 25 months: Sept 1 of even year to Sept 30 of next even year; license period Oct 1 even year to Sept 30 next even year. Board does not pre-approve providers.
Source: www.legis.iowa.gov · 481 IAC 881.2(1), 881.2(10); 481 IAC 880.10 · checked Oct 28, 2026
04 Questions
How many CE hours do marriage & family therapists need in Iowa?
40 hours every 2 years.
How do I verify a marriage & family therapist license in Iowa?
Use the license lookup of the Iowa Board of Behavioral Health Professionals (Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing) (dial.iowa.gov/licenses/medical/mental-health/mental-behavioral-health); the board's own record is the primary source. CE status itself is checked by the board at renewal.
Which CE topics are mandatory for marriage & family therapists in Iowa?
Child abuse recognition & reporting — 2 h (every 3 years); Medical ethics, professionalism & law — 3 h (every renewal); Clinical supervision — 3 h (every renewal); Elder abuse — 2 h (every 3 years).
When is the renewal deadline for marriage & family therapists in Iowa?
Licenses renew by September 30 in even-numbered years (2 years cycle).