Iowa Registered Dental Assistant CE

How many CE hours do Iowa registered dental assistants need?

Iowa registered dental assistant CE totals 20 hours every 2 years, and the registration is due August 31 of every odd-numbered year. Your next renewal is August 31, 2027 ( 481 IAC 573.1(1)(c) ; 481 IAC 572.17 ). Up to 10 hours earned beyond the 20 can carry into the next period, but hours in CPR, infection control, jurisprudence, radiography or opioid courses cannot ( 481 IAC 573.1(5) ). Start with the Iowa dental assistant CE package . Looking for a different license? See Iowa dentist CE and Iowa dental hygienist CE .

Which CE topics are required for Iowa registered dental assistants?

Every renewal you need 1 hour of infection control focused on CDC standards and 1 hour of Iowa jurisprudence ( 481 IAC 573.1(1)(g) and (h) ). You also need current CPR certification with a hands-on skills component to practice ( 481 IAC 574.4 ). Mandatory reporter training applies when your work calls for it. If you regularly provide dental services to children you need 2 hours on identifying and reporting child abuse, and if you regularly provide services to adults you need 2 hours on dependent adult abuse. Each recurs every 3 years, not at every renewal ( 481 IAC 573.1(1)(e) ). Assistants who hold a radiography qualification need 2 hours of dental radiography, which count toward the 20 ( 481 IAC 573.1(1)(d) ). Assistants who hold DANB Certified Dental Assistant certification owe a separate DANB requirement of 12 CDE credits a year, which is not an Iowa mandate ( DANB Recertification Requirements ).

Does Iowa accept AGD PACE credit?

Yes. Iowa treats activities developed or approved for credit by a nationally recognized organization such as the American Dental Association or the Academy of General Dentistry as meeting its criteria ( 481 IAC 573.3(1) ). AchieveCE is an AGD PACE approved provider (ID# 386503).

Do Iowa registered dental assistants need live CE?

Iowa sets a ceiling on self-study instead of a live minimum. No more than 12 of your 20 hours may come from self-study ( 481 IAC 573.3(2)(f) ). The other 8 hours must come from other eligible activities, such as live courses and webinars, convention sessions or postgraduate study. The rule does not define self-study, so confirm with the Iowa Dental Board how it classes online courses. Our online package covers the 12 self-study hours, and you can add our live webinars for the rest.

Do new Iowa registered dental assistants need CE for their first renewal?

No. Iowa exempts a newly registered dental assistant from CE for the first renewal period, or the portion of it that follows original issuance ( 481 IAC 573.5(2)(e) ). The exemption covers the CE hours only. It does not erase the CPR requirement or any mandatory reporter training you owe.

Does the Iowa Dental Board audit CE?

Yes. The Board may audit the hours reported by any registrant, and you must submit certificates or other evidence if selected. Keep your records for 4 years following renewal ( 481 IAC 573.2(3) ). Your AchieveCE certificate is available the moment you finish a course, and AchieveCE reports your completions to AGD PACE within 24 business hours. Our support team is on live chat, email, and phone, 7 days a week.

Other Iowa dental licenses: Iowa dentist CE and Iowa dental hygienist CE . Try Free dental CE before you buy, and browse every state and license in our CE course finder .

Last verified: October 25, 2026

Sources

• 481 IAC Chapter 573, Dental Continuing Education

• 481 IAC Chapter 572, Dental Licensure, Registration, and Permits

• 481 IAC Chapter 574, General Requirements and Standards of Practice

• Iowa Dental Board

• DANB, Recertification Requirements