Iowa's professional-counselor license is the Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), regulated by the Board of Behavioral Science. The Board requires 40 continuing education hours every two-year renewal cycle, including at least 3 hours of ethics. Licensees who treat children or adults must also complete mandatory reporter training. Below is the full breakdown of what you need and when it is due.
40 hours / 2 years
Forty CE hours each biennial renewal cycle.
3 hours ethics
At least 3 hours of ethics each cycle.
Mandatory reporter
Child and/or dependent adult abuse training, recertified every 3 years.
3 supervision (if supervising)
Supervisors complete 3 hours in supervision practices.
How many CE hours Iowa LMHCs need
Iowa requires 40 CE hours every two years for LMHC renewal.
Mandated subject requirements
- Ethics: at least 3 hours each cycle.
- Mandatory reporter: child and/or dependent adult abuse training, with a 1-hour recertification every three years.
- Supervision: 3 hours for licensees in a supervisory role.
Renewal cycle and deadlines
Iowa LMHC licenses renew every two years. Complete and document your hours before your renewal deadline.
Know exactly what CME you need.
Tell us your license type, state, and renewal date. We map your required hours, the state-mandated topics, and your deadline — a clear, personalized plan for a flat $99.
View pricingIowa Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) CME at a glance
- Ethics3 hrs
At least 3 of the 40 hours must be in ethics each biennial cycle.
- Mandatory Reporter (Child / Dependent Adult Abuse)Required · every 3 years
Licensees who treat children or adults must complete an initial 2-hour mandatory reporter course (child abuse and/or dependent adult abuse) and a 1-hour recertification every three years.
- Supervision Practices3 hrs · per cycle if supervising
Licensees serving in a supervisory role must complete 3 hours in supervision practices each cycle.
Always confirm with your licensing board
Iowa's professional-counselor license is the Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), regulated by the Board of Behavioral Science. Mandatory reporter training (child abuse and/or dependent adult abuse) is required for licensees who treat children or adults, with recertification every three years.
CE requirements change. Confirm current rules with the Iowa Board of Behavioral Science before relying on these figures.
Source: Iowa Board of Behavioral Science. Board website · Researched as of 2026-06-01 · CME rules change; this is administrative guidance, not legal or CME-accreditation advice.
Licensed in more than one state?
Counseling Compact: active. Operational; participating states issue the counseling privilege to practice across member states.
Each state license carries its own CME requirement and renewal date — if you hold more than one, you need a plan for each.
Iowa LMHC CE Requirements — Frequently Asked Questions
How many CE hours do Iowa LMHCs need?
+
40 CE hours every two years.
Is mandatory reporter training required in Iowa?
+
Yes — licensees who treat children or adults must complete child and/or dependent adult abuse reporter training, recertified every three years.
How many ethics hours are required in Iowa?
+
At least 3 hours of ethics each cycle.
Related
Need help meeting your Iowa LMHC CE before renewal?
Tell us your license type and renewal month and we'll map the fastest compliant path — required hours, mandated topics, and your deadline — for a flat $99.
- Flat $99 per plan
- Every license type
- All 50 states
Get my CME plan
Tell us your license type, state, and renewal — we'll map exactly what you need.