Iowa CEU Requirements

In Iowa, Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHCs) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) must renew their licenses on a biennial basis and comply with continuing education (CE) requirements set forth in the Iowa Administrative Code. The license renewal cycle spans a 25-month biennium, beginning September 1 of each even-numbered year and ending September 30 of the following even-numbered year, at which time license renewal is required. During each renewal cycle, LMHCs and LMFTs must complete a total of 40 hours of continuing education, although licensees are exempt from CE requirements during their first renewal period. Of the 40 required hours, at least three (3) CE hours must be specifically devoted to ethics.

To serve as a clinical supervisor in Iowa, Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) must first meet the state’s supervisor eligibility requirements, which include completing at least six (6) hours of continuing education in supervision or one graduate-level course in supervision (Rule 481–891.7(2) of the Iowa Administrative Code).

Once approved, supervisors must continue to meet Iowa’s ongoing continuing education (CE) requirements, which apply to all licensed MFTs, whether they supervise or not.

🔁 Ongoing CE Requirements for License Renewal

Under I.A.C. Chapter 892.2 and 892.3, licensees must complete the following during each 25-month biennial compliance period (September 1 of an even-numbered year through September 30 of the next even-numbered year):

• 40 hours of board-approved continuing education
• Of those 40 hours:
  • 3 hours must be in ethics
  • Supervisors must complete an additional 3 hours of supervision-specific CE
• New licensees are exempt from CE for their first renewal
• CE hours cannot be carried over to the next renewal period (except in limited cases related to second renewal)
• All CE costs are the responsibility of the licensee

🧠 Mandatory Reporter Training — Required Separately

In addition to CE requirements, Iowa law requires mandatory reporter training for licensees who regularly examine, attend, counsel, or treat children or dependent adults.

⚠️ This training is not part of the 40-hour CE requirement and must be completed through the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

• Dependent Adult Abuse Training
  • Initial: 2 hours
  • Recertification: 1 hour every 3 years
• Child Abuse Training
  • Initial: 2 hours
  • Recertification: 1 hour every 3 years

📌 TCI cannot fulfill mandatory reporter training requirements.

Official training and details are available through Iowa HHS:

👉 https://hhs.iowa.gov/report-abuse-fraud/mandatory-reporters

The Telehealth Certification Institute (TCI) offers flexible, online continuing education courses to help you work toward both initial supervisor training requirements and ongoing CE renewal obligations in Iowa.

Recommended Options

• Clinical Supervision Certificate Program – 49 CE
  • Fulfills Iowa’s initial 6-hour supervision training requirement
  • Exceeds the 40-hour biennial CE requirement
  • Includes content that meets the 3-hour supervision-specific CE requirement
• Individual Clinical Supervision CE Courses
  • Ideal for tailoring your CE plan
  • May be used to satisfy:
    • The 6-hour initial supervision training, or
    • The 3-hour supervision-specific CE requirement during renewal

📄 Sources:

• Iowa Administrative Code, Chapter 892, Rules 892.2 and 892.3 (2024). Continuing Education Requirements. Iowa Board of Behavioral Science.
• Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. Mandatory Reporter Training.

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6693. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

NBCC CE hours are accepted by the Iowa Board of Behavioral Science.

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In Iowa, Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) are required to renew their licenses on a biennial basis and comply with state-mandated continuing education (CE) requirements established by the Iowa Administrative Code. The license renewal cycle spans two years, beginning January 1 of each odd-numbered year and ending December 31 of the following even-numbered year, which also serves as the license expiration date. During each renewal period, LCSWs must complete a total of 27 hours of board-approved continuing education, although licensees are exempt from the CE requirement during their first renewal cycle. Within the 27 required hours, Iowa mandates a minimum of three (3) CE hours specifically focused on social work ethics.

To serve as a clinical supervisor in Iowa, you must first complete at least six hours of continuing education (CE) in clinical supervision before beginning any supervisory work. This initial training must cover core topics such as supervision theory and practice, ethical standards, and relevant state regulations.

To maintain your supervisor status, Iowa requires three hours of supervision-specific CE as part of the 27 hours of CE required every two years.

📄 Source: Iowa Administrative Code, 481—896.2(154C). Continuing education requirements. Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing.

At the Telehealth Certification Institute (TCI), we offer flexible, self-paced Individual Supervision CE Courses that can fulfill both the 6-hour initial requirement and the 3-hour ongoing renewal requirement. For those looking to deepen their skills, our Clinical Supervision Certificate Program goes beyond minimum requirements to strengthen your supervisory confidence, ethical decision-making, and leadership effectiveness.

Telehealth Certification Institute LLC, #1609, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 05/02/2024 – 05/02/2027.

ASWB CE hours are accepted by the Iowa Bureau of Professional Licensure - Iowa Board of Social Work.

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In Iowa, Licensed Psychologists (LPs) are required to renew their licenses every two years and meet continuing education (CE) requirements established by the Iowa Administrative Code. The biennial renewal cycle runs from July 1 of each even-numbered year through June 30 of the next even-numbered year, which serves as the license expiration date. For each renewal period, licensed psychologists must complete a minimum of 40 hours of board-approved continuing education, although licensees are exempt from CE requirements during their first renewal cycle. Iowa also mandates targeted education in professional responsibility areas: six (6) CE hours are required in ethics, mental health law, or risk management, with requirements varying by renewal stage—for the second license renewal, the six hours must focus on Iowa mental health laws and regulations or risk management, while all subsequent renewals allow the six hours to be completed in ethical issues, federal or Iowa mental health laws and regulations, or risk management.

Iowa does not require supervision-specific continuing education (CE) for psychologists to qualify or remain eligible to serve as clinical supervisors. However, all licensed psychologists must meet the state’s general CE requirements to maintain an active license and remain eligible to supervise. Under Iowa Administrative Code 481—881.2, psychologists are required to complete 40 hours of continuing education during each biennial renewal period, which runs from July 1 of even-numbered years through June 30 of the next even-numbered year. Iowa requires 6 hours of topic-specific CE each biennium, but the required subject areas depend on the renewal cycle.

No CE is required for the first license renewal following initial licensure. For the second license renewal, licensees must complete 6 hours in either Iowa mental health laws and regulations or risk management. For all renewal periods after the second, licensees must complete 6 hours in ethical issues, federal mental health laws and regulations, Iowa mental health laws and regulations, or risk management (IAC 481–881.2(11)). Maintaining compliance with these general CE requirements is essential for psychologists who supervise postdoctoral clinical experience in Iowa.

To support psychologists in meeting Iowa’s CE requirements while strengthening supervision skills, the Telehealth Certification Institute (TCI) offers a variety of APA-approved online CE programs. These include the Clinical Supervision Certificate Program (49 CE hours), which exceeds Iowa’s biennial renewal requirement and provides in-depth training in supervision models, ethics, documentation, multicultural supervision, and telesupervision, as well as individual clinical supervision CE courses for targeted professional development. While TCI does not offer coursework specific to Iowa mental health laws or risk management, its flexible, fully online programs help Iowa psychologists remain compliant with renewal requirements while enhancing their effectiveness and confidence as clinical supervisors.

Note: The Telehealth Certification Institute (TCI) does not offer courses on Iowa mental health laws or risk management, but it offers many ethics-related courses.

Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Telehealth Certification Institute LLC maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

The Iowa Board of Psychology Examiners accepts courses from any provider who is approved by the American Psychological Association.

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Suggested TCI Courses

Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is an Approved Education Provider for educational credits, NAADAC provider #193104. Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is responsible for all aspects of the programming.

NAADAC CE hours are accepted by the Iowa Board of Certification.