Nurses · Iowa · Continuing education
Iowa Nursing CE Requirements & License Renewal (2026)
01 In short
- RN36 contact hours every 3 years, including 2 h mandated reporter training; renewal by the end of your birth month.
- LPN36 contact hours every 3 years, including 2 h mandated reporter training; 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 RN CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 36contact hours
- Renewal cycle
- 3 years
- Deadline
- Birth month
- Reporting
- Attestation
- Renewal deadline
- By the end of your birth month
- Accepted credit
- Since June 4, 2025 the board no longer approves CE providers or content; any CE of appropriate nursing/health-care subject matter counts (offerings of at least 1 hour; CPR/BLS not accepted)
- Renewal fee
- $99
- New licensees
- First license runs 2 years plus the months to the birth month (24-36 months); then renewal every 3 years.
- Audits & records
- Keep CE documentation 4 years for audit; late renewals may be audited.
- Renew online
- amanda-portal.idph.state.ia.us ↗
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Mandated reporter trainingnurses caring for children and/or dependent adults (Iowa HHS course; certificate valid 3 years) | 2 | every renewal |
Alternatives & exemptions. Current national certification or recertification, or a nurse residency program, counts as the full 36 hours; academic credit (1 semester hour = 15 hours), a board-approved refresher course, and 60+ hours as a preceptor (6 hours) also count.
Good to know. License expires the 15th of the birth month every 3 years; Iowa law asks for renewal 30 days before expiry, 30-day grace period with $50 late fee.
Source: dial.iowa.gov · Iowa Administrative Code (IAC) 481.619 · checked Oct 28, 2026
Iowa LPN CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 36contact hours
- Renewal cycle
- 3 years
- Deadline
- Birth month
- Reporting
- Attestation
- Renewal deadline
- By the end of your birth month
- Accepted credit
- Since June 4, 2025 the board no longer approves CE providers or content; any CE of appropriate nursing/health-care subject matter counts (offerings of at least 1 hour; CPR/BLS not accepted)
- Renewal fee
- $99
- New licensees
- First license runs 2 years plus the months to the birth month (24-36 months); then renewal every 3 years.
- Audits & records
- Keep CE documentation 4 years for audit; late renewals may be audited.
- Renew online
- amanda-portal.idph.state.ia.us ↗
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Mandated reporter trainingnurses caring for children and/or dependent adults (Iowa HHS course; certificate valid 3 years) | 2 | every renewal |
Alternatives & exemptions. Current national certification or recertification, or a nurse residency program, counts as the full 36 hours; academic credit (1 semester hour = 15 hours), a board-approved refresher course, and 60+ hours as a preceptor (6 hours) also count.
Good to know. License expires the 15th of the birth month every 3 years; Iowa law asks for renewal 30 days before expiry, 30-day grace period with $50 late fee.
Source: dial.iowa.gov · Iowa Administrative Code (IAC) 481.619 · checked Oct 28, 2026
04 Questions
How do I verify a nurse license in Iowa?
Use the license lookup of the Iowa Board of Nursing (Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing) (dial.iowa.gov/licenses/health-professions/nursing-professional-midwifery); the board's own record is the primary source. CE status itself is checked by the board at renewal.
How many CE hours do nurses need in Iowa?
RN: 36 contact hours every 3 years. LPN: 36 contact hours every 3 years.
Which CE courses count for nurses in Iowa?
RN: Since June 4, 2025 the board no longer approves CE providers or content; any CE of appropriate nursing/health-care subject matter counts (offerings of at least 1 hour; CPR/BLS not accepted). LPN: Since June 4, 2025 the board no longer approves CE providers or content; any CE of appropriate nursing/health-care subject matter counts (offerings of at least 1 hour; CPR/BLS not accepted).
How much does a nurse license renewal cost in Iowa?
RN: $99 per renewal, as listed by the board. LPN: $99 per renewal, as listed by the board.
When is the renewal deadline for nurses in Iowa?
RN: Licenses renew by the end of your birth month (3 years cycle). LPN: Licenses renew by the end of your birth month (3 years cycle).
How do nurses report CE in Iowa?
RN: By attesting on the renewal application; keep certificates in case of an audit. LPN: By attesting on the renewal application; keep certificates in case of an audit.