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Iowa · Physician Assistant

Physician Assistant CME requirements in Iowa

Medium-high confidenceLast verified June 4, 2026

Requirements at a glance

Licensing board
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Total CME hours
Maintenance of NCCPA certification (100 hrs per NCCPA cycle); reactivation requires ≥40% Category I
Accepts NCCPA in lieu
Yes (NCCPA)

State-mandated CME topics

  • Opioids: 2 hrs — If prescribed opioids, 2 hrs on CDC opioid-prescribing guidelines every 2 yrs.
  • Mandatory reporter (child/dependent adult abuse): 2 hrs — Core curriculum every 3 yrs, effective 2024-07-01.

Sources

Every figure on this page is compiled from the primary board and national certification sources below, cross-checked against reputable aggregators. Requirements change often and some boards publish only in PDFs or login-walled portals — confirm current rules directly before relying on them for renewal.

Iowa licensing boardIowa Board of Physician Assistants (DIAL)
NCCPA certification (national)nccpa.net/maintain-certification/continuing-medical-education
NCCPA certification (national)nccpa.net/news/panre-la
NCCPA certification (national)nccpa.net/maintain-certification
DEA MATE Act (federal)samhsa.gov/substance-use/treatment/statutes-regulations-guidelines/mate-act
DEA MATE Act (federal)dea.gov
Verify with Iowa Board of Physician Assistants (DIAL) →

How this fits the national picture

Independent of Iowa, every PA maintains NCCPA certification — 100 CME credits every two-year cycle (at least 50 Category 1) plus a recertification exam by year 10. Many states accept that in place of separate state CME; this page notes whether Iowa does.

Keep exploring

Frequently asked questions

How many CME hours do physician assistants need in Iowa?

Maintenance of NCCPA certification (100 hrs per NCCPA cycle); reactivation requires ≥40% Category I. Renewal cycle: Every 2 years.

Does Iowa accept NCCPA certification in lieu of state CME?

Yes (NCCPA).

What topic-specific CME does Iowa require for physician assistants?

Opioids: 2 hrs — If prescribed opioids, 2 hrs on CDC opioid-prescribing guidelines every 2 yrs. Mandatory reporter (child/dependent adult abuse): 2 hrs — Core curriculum every 3 yrs, effective 2024-07-01.

Informational only, not legal or compliance advice. Continuing education rules change frequently. Confirm current requirements with the Iowa Board of Physician Assistants (DIAL) and your certifying body before relying on any figure here.