If you hold an Iowa RN license, the Iowa Board of Nursing requires 36 contact hours of continuing education every three-year renewal cycle. RNs who regularly examine, counsel, or treat children or dependent adults must also complete mandatory abuse identification and reporting training, which is offered only through the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services and counts as 2 contact hours. Below is the full breakdown of what you need, what counts, and when it is due.
36 hours / 3 years
Thirty-six contact hours each triennial renewal cycle.
Abuse reporting training
Mandatory for nurses who treat children or dependent adults; counts as 2 hours.
Renews in birth month
Iowa RN licenses expire on the 15th of the nurse's birth month every three years.
State-provided training
Abuse training must be completed through the Iowa Dept. of Health and Human Services.
How many CE hours Iowa RNs need
Iowa requires 36 contact hours every three years, tied to your triennial license renewal in your birth month.
Mandated subject requirements
- Child & dependent adult abuse reporting: required for RNs who regularly examine, counsel, or treat children or dependent adults; counts as 2 contact hours and must be completed through the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.
Renewal cycle and deadlines
Iowa RN licenses renew every three years, expiring on the 15th of the nurse's birth month. Complete and document your 36 hours before that date.
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View pricingIowa Registered Nurses (RN) CME at a glance
- Child & Dependent Adult Abuse Reporting2 hrs · every 3 years
RNs who regularly examine, counsel, or treat children or dependent adults must complete mandatory reporter training on identification and reporting of child and dependent adult abuse (counts as 2 contact hours toward the 36-hour total). Training is provided through the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.
Always confirm with your licensing board
Iowa RN licenses renew every three years, expiring on the 15th of the nurse's birth month. RNs must complete 36 contact hours per cycle. RNs who regularly examine, counsel, or treat children or dependent adults must complete mandatory child and dependent adult abuse identification and reporting training, available only through the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.
CE requirements change. Confirm current rules with the Iowa Board of Nursing before relying on these figures.
Source: Iowa Board of Nursing (Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing). 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?
Nurse Licensure Compact: active. Active. One multistate RN/LPN license from the home state authorizes practice in member states; practice-state requirements (including CE) may still overlay.
Each state license carries its own CME requirement and renewal date — if you hold more than one, you need a plan for each.
Also licensing in Iowa or beyond?
Our sister teams handle the licensing side with the same concierge service.
Iowa RN Continuing Education Requirements — Frequently Asked Questions
How many CE hours do Iowa RNs need?
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36 contact hours every three years.
Is abuse-reporting training required in Iowa?
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Yes — RNs who regularly examine, counsel, or treat children or dependent adults must complete state-provided child and dependent adult abuse reporting training, which counts as 2 contact hours.
When do Iowa RN licenses renew?
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Every three years, expiring on the 15th of the nurse's birth month.
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