Iowa CNA CE Courses (2026)
To renew your CNA license in Iowa you need to satisfy the Iowa Direct Care Worker / Nurse Aide Registry (Dept of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing)'s in-service / continuing-education training requirement . Below is what the board requires and a comparison of course providers that offer qualifying training. This is an unofficial guide — confirm any course is board-approved before you buy.
What Iowa requires for CNA renewal
| In-service / CE required | No single fixed hour count — see details |
|---|---|
| Renewal cycle | 24 months |
| Governing body | Iowa Direct Care Worker / Nurse Aide Registry (Dept of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing) |
Active status is maintained by paid work, not classroom CE: at least 8 hours of paid nursing or nursing-related duties within each 24-month window. (Aides employed by long-term-care facilities separately receive at least 12 hours of in-service per year — an employer requirement, not a registry renewal condition.)
Full CNA renewal guide for Iowa (deadlines, fees & CE) →
Iowa CNA CE course providers
- Medline University
Free and low-cost in-service training modules for nurse aides.
- CEUfast — Nurse Aide
In-service and continuing-education courses for nursing assistants.
- Elite Learning — CNA In-Service
CNA in-service training packages covering federally required topics.
- Relias
Employer-oriented in-service and competency training widely used in long-term care.
Iowa CNA CE courses: frequently asked questions
How many CE hours do I need to renew my CNA license in Iowa?
Iowa does not set a single fixed CE-hour count for CNA renewal. Active status is maintained by paid work, not classroom CE: at least 8 hours of paid nursing or nursing-related duties within each 24-month window. (Aides employed by long-term-care facilities separately receive at least 12 hours of in-service per year — an employer requirement, not a registry renewal condition.)
Do online CNA CE courses count in Iowa?
Online courses generally count when the provider is approved by or recognized by the Iowa Direct Care Worker / Nurse Aide Registry (Dept of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing). Always confirm a course is accepted before you buy it.
Where do I report my Iowa CNA CE?
Iowa generally has you attest to CE at renewal and keep your own documentation in case of an audit. Confirm the current process with the Iowa Direct Care Worker / Nurse Aide Registry (Dept of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing).
Requirement last verified 2026-06-01 from the Iowa Direct Care Worker / Nurse Aide Registry (Dept of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing). Always confirm current rules with the board before relying on this.