Iowa Massage Therapy CE Courses (2026)
To renew your Massage Therapy license in Iowa you need to satisfy the Iowa Board of Massage Therapy's continuing education (CE) requirement — about 16 hours per 2-year cycle. Below is what the board requires and a comparison of course providers that offer qualifying CE. This is an unofficial guide — confirm any course is board-approved before you buy.
What Iowa requires for Massage Therapy renewal
| CE hours required | 16 hours per cycle |
|---|---|
| Renewal cycle | 24 months |
| Governing body | Iowa Board of Massage Therapy |
16 hours of continuing education per two-year biennium. At least 8 of the 16 hours must be earned through programs delivered in person or via live, real-time interactive media; the remainder may be online/self-study. First-time licensees are exempt from CE for their first renewal. Excess hours up to 50% of the requirement (max 8 hours) may carry forward to the next period. The official rule (Iowa Administrative Code 481 Ch. 823, effective 2024/2025) does not set a specific mandatory ethics or hands-on hour minimum, though mandatory reporter training and ethics-related courses count toward the total. The board does not pre-approve providers or programs.
Full Massage Therapy renewal guide for Iowa (deadlines, fees & CE) →
Iowa Massage Therapy CE course providers
- Institute for Integrative Healthcare
NCBTMB-approved online massage CE, including ethics and state-required topics.
- ABMP (Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals)
Member CE library and approved courses for massage therapists.
- NCBTMB Approved Providers
Directory of NCBTMB-approved CE providers accepted by most state boards.
Iowa Massage Therapy CE courses: frequently asked questions
How many CE hours do I need to renew my Massage Therapy license in Iowa?
Iowa requires about 16 continuing-education hours per renewal cycle. 16 hours of continuing education per two-year biennium. At least 8 of the 16 hours must be earned through programs delivered in person or via live, real-time interactive media; the remainder may be online/self-study. First-time licensees are exempt from CE for their first renewal. Excess hours up to 50% of the requirement (max 8 hours) may carry forward to the next period. The official rule (Iowa Administrative Code 481 Ch. 823, effective 2024/2025) does not set a specific mandatory ethics or hands-on hour minimum, though mandatory reporter training and ethics-related courses count toward the total. The board does not pre-approve providers or programs.
Do online Massage Therapy CE courses count in Iowa?
Online courses generally count when the provider is approved by or recognized by the Iowa Board of Massage Therapy. Always confirm a course is accepted before you buy it.
Where do I report my Iowa Massage Therapy 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 Board of Massage Therapy.
Requirement last verified 2026-06-01 from the Iowa Board of Massage Therapy. Always confirm current rules with the board before relying on this.