Iowa Pharmacist CE Courses (2026)
To renew your Pharmacist license in Iowa you need to satisfy the Iowa Board of Pharmacy (within the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing)'s continuing education (CE) requirement — about 30 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 Pharmacist renewal
| CE hours required | 30 hours per cycle |
|---|---|
| Renewal cycle | 24 months |
| CE tracking system | CPE Monitor (NABP) |
| Governing body | Iowa Board of Pharmacy (within the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing) |
A pharmacist must complete at least 30 hours of continuing pharmacy education (CPE) per two-year renewal period. Within that 30: a minimum of 2 hours in pharmacy law (ACPE topic designator 03-P) and a minimum of 2 hours in patient or medication safety (05-P). Pharmacists who administer immunizations must complete at least 1 hour in immunization/vaccine administration (06-P). ACPE-accredited provider activities qualify automatically; a maximum of 13 of the 30 hours may come from non-ACPE accredited health-professional CE providers (e.g., CME) when content relates to pharmacy practice. Successful completion must be recorded in NABP CPE Monitor to receive credit for ACPE activities. A CPD (continuing professional development) pathway is also available as an alternative.
Full Pharmacist renewal guide for Iowa (deadlines, fees & CE) →
Iowa Pharmacist CE course providers
- Power-Pak C.E.
Free and low-cost ACPE-accredited pharmacy CPE across clinical and law topics.
- Pharmacist's Letter (TRC Healthcare)
Subscription CPE plus drug-information resources for pharmacists.
- freeCE
Live and home-study ACPE pharmacy CPE, including law and immunization courses.
- CEimpact
ACPE-accredited pharmacy CPE subscriptions and certificate programs.
Iowa Pharmacist CE courses: frequently asked questions
How many CE hours do I need to renew my Pharmacist license in Iowa?
Iowa requires about 30 continuing-education hours per renewal cycle. A pharmacist must complete at least 30 hours of continuing pharmacy education (CPE) per two-year renewal period. Within that 30: a minimum of 2 hours in pharmacy law (ACPE topic designator 03-P) and a minimum of 2 hours in patient or medication safety (05-P). Pharmacists who administer immunizations must complete at least 1 hour in immunization/vaccine administration (06-P). ACPE-accredited provider activities qualify automatically; a maximum of 13 of the 30 hours may come from non-ACPE accredited health-professional CE providers (e.g., CME) when content relates to pharmacy practice. Successful completion must be recorded in NABP CPE Monitor to receive credit for ACPE activities. A CPD (continuing professional development) pathway is also available as an alternative.
Do online Pharmacist CE courses count in Iowa?
Online courses generally count when the provider is approved by or recognized by the Iowa Board of Pharmacy (within the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing) and the completion is reported through CPE Monitor (NABP). Always confirm a course is accepted before you buy it.
Where do I report my Iowa Pharmacist CE?
Iowa uses CPE Monitor (NABP) to track Pharmacist continuing education. Make sure your completions post there before you renew.
Requirement last verified 2026-06-01 from the Iowa Board of Pharmacy (within the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing). Always confirm current rules with the board before relying on this.