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Iowa Physician & PA CME Requirements

Overview

Iowa requires physicians to complete 40 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ every 2 years. Both MDs and PAs operate under the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing (DIAL), though they have separate licensing boards. Iowa is notable for its mandatory reporter training requirements that are separate from CME credits.

Physician (MD/DO) Requirements

Iowa physicians must complete 40 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits per 2-year renewal cycle.

CME Breakdown

Requirement Details
Total CME 40 hours per 2-year cycle
Category 1 All 40 hours must be AMA PRA Category 1
Renewal cycle 2 years
Records retention 4 years
Audit Random audits following each renewal cycle

Mandatory Training

Iowa has specific requirements for primary care physicians and certain specialists (emergency medicine, family medicine, general practice, internal medicine, neurology, pain medicine, psychiatry):

Requirement Details
Chronic Pain Management 2 hours focusing on CDC guidelines for opioid prescribing
End-of-Life Care 2 hours every 5 years (note: not palliative care)

Mandatory Reporter Training (Separate from CME)

Iowa requires separate mandatory reporter training that does not count toward CME hours:

Training Initial Renewal
Child Abuse Reporting 2-hour initial 1-hour refresher every 3 years
Dependent Adult Abuse 2-hour initial 1-hour refresher every 3 years

This training is provided by the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS), not CME providers.

Documentation Requirements

Documentation must include:

  • Course title
  • Dates of completion
  • Contact hours
  • Sponsor/provider name
  • Licensee's name

Physician Assistant Requirements

Iowa PAs are regulated by the Iowa Board of Physician Assistants, which operates under the same umbrella agency (DIAL) as the Board of Medicine.

CME Breakdown

Requirement Details
Regulatory authority Iowa Administrative Code 481—Chapter 782
Renewal cycle 2 years
Records retention 4 years
Board Iowa Board of Physician Assistants

Key Points for PAs

  1. Separate board — PAs have their own licensing board under DIAL
  2. IAC Chapter 782 — Detailed requirements in Iowa Administrative Code 481—Chapter 782
  3. No pre-approval — Board does not pre-approve CE providers; licensee responsibility
  4. Random audits — Same audit process as physicians
  5. Extensions available — Disability or illness exemptions available with documentation

Governing Statutes

  • Iowa Code Chapter 148C — Physician Assistant Practice
  • IAC 481—Chapters 780-784 — PA licensure and continuing education

DO (Osteopathic) Physicians

Iowa requirements for DO physicians are identical to MD requirements. Both must complete 40 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits per 2-year cycle.

Tips for Iowa Licensees

  1. Category 1 only — Iowa requires all 40 hours be AMA PRA Category 1
  2. Mandatory reporter training is separate — These hours don't count toward CME
  3. Track end-of-life cycle — Every 5 years, not every 2 (for applicable specialties)
  4. Keep records 4 years — Longer retention than many states
  5. Pain management for primary care — Chronic pain requirement applies to specific specialties only

Contact Information

Iowa Board of Medicine

Iowa Board of Physician Assistants

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