ARNPs are required to maintain national certification to be compliant with continuing education requirements.

Nursing licenses expire on the 15th of the Licensee’s birth month.

Iowa ARNPs who regularly examine, attend, counsel or treat children or adults in Iowa are required to complete training related to the identification and reporting of child/dependent adult abuse, and must submit documentation if the license is selected for continuing education audit. An ARNP who has prescribed opioids to a patient during the renewal cycle is required to complete a minimum of two contact hours of continuing education (CE) regarding the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guideline for prescribing opioids for chronic pain, including recommendations on limitations on dosages and the length of prescriptions, risk factors for abuse, and nonopioid and nonpharmacologic therapy options. ARNPs who supervise the use of fluoroscopic x-ray equipment are required to have the appropriate education and continued annual radiological safety updates.

In addition, beginning with DEA initial registrations or renewals starting June 27, 2023, all DEA-registered practitioners (with the exception of DVM-only license holders) are required to complete 8 hours of one-time training on the treatment and management of patients with opioid or other substance use disorders.

For more detailed requirements, please visit the Iowa Nursing Board.