Pages & resources related to the continuing education requirements in Iowa.
To renew on active status, dentists and dental hygienists must complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years or qualify for an exemption. Licensees are also required to complete a minimum of one hour each in the following areas:
*Only required for dentists who prescribe opioids within the current renewal period (Sept. 2022 - Aug. 2024).
**Only required for dentists who hold a moderate sedation or general anesthesia permit. This requirement does not apply to dental hygienists.
Required for renewal – can claim up to three hours for completing course.
To be eligible, CPR certification courses must be from nationally-recognized sponsor, and include a "hands-on", clinical component. A CPR course may include an online component provided there is an in-person portion prior to the certification being issued.
Effective July 1, 2019, licensees and registrants who practice in Iowa, must complete training through the Department of Human Services and renew the training every three years thereafter. Credit can be claimed for completing courses.
Note: The DHS core training is awarded two hours for each section completed, for a possible total of four hours.
Six hours for dentists who hold a current moderate sedation or general anesthesia or permit. These hours may also be reported towards the hours required for renewal of the dental license.
Please note: This requirement does not apply to local anesthesia permit holders.
To renew on active status, dental assistants must complete 20 hours of hours of continuing education every two years or qualify for an exemption. Registrants are also required to complete a minimum of one hour each in the following areas:
***Only required of dental assistants who hold a qualification in dental radiography.
Required for renewal – can claim up to three hours for completing course.
To be eligible, CPR certification courses must be from nationally-recognized sponsor, and include a "hands-on", clinical component. A CPR course may include an online component provided there is an in-person portion prior to the certification being issued.
Effective July 1, 2019, licensees and registrants who practice in Iowa, must complete training through the Department of Human Services and renew the training every three years thereafter. Credit can be claimed for completing courses.
Note: The DHS core training is awarded two hours for each section completed, for a possible total of four hours.
The following lists are not comprehensive. Additional resources may exist that are not listed here. This is intended to serve as a starting point for licensees and registrants who need assistance locating courses. This page will be updated as additional resources are provided to the board.
If completing one of the following courses for the didactic portion of the CPR certification, you may want to verify with the hands-on instructor whether they will accept the online training from the resources below. While the board will accept the following courses to meet the didactic/online training component, the board cannot make CPR instructors accept the training when determining whether the CPR certification is complete including hands-on training.
Note: This is not intended to be a comprehensive list of CPR training providers. Licensees and registrants are not restricted to this of providers for obtaining or maintaining CPR certification.
Includes options to complete hands-on component remotely with the use of manikins.
The CDC last updated the guidelines for infection control in dental offices in the December 19, 2003 issue of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), Vol. 52, No. RR-17.
Please note: Not all OSHA courses will meet this requirement. Although there may be some overlap between OSHA training and infection control standards, not all OSHA courses address matters related to infection control. If your OSHA training includes a minimum of 1 hour focused on CDC guidelines for infection control in dental offices, that training will meet this requirement. Should you use an OSHA course to meet this requirement, you may be asked to submit evidence of the focus on infection control if you should be selected for continuing education audit.
The following providers offer continuing education courses in the area of infection control. You are not restricted to this list to meet requirements for continuing education in the area of infection control.
| Course Providers | Website Address & Contact Information |
|---|---|
| Centers for Disease Control | https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/infectioncontrol/safe-care-modules.htm |
jvandellen@dalefoundation.org
877-510-3253 x 273