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How to become a CNA in Iowa. Training: 75 hours required. Exam provider: Headmaster (D&S Diversified) and Credentia for written/oral; Iowa community colleges for skills evaluation. Total initial fees: $165–$205. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Certified Nursing Assistant
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63% of data points are verified against official sources. 9 fields based on preliminary research. 6 fields need verification. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
75 hrs
Training Hours
Headmaster (D&S Diversified) and Credentia for written/oral; Iowa community colleges for skills evaluation
Exam Provider
$165–$205
Total Initial Fees
2 years (24 months)
Renewal Period
12 hours per year if employed in a federally certified long-term care facility (no CE requirement for registry maintenance itself) hrs
CE Hours
Must have performed at least 8 consecutive hours (one day) of paid nursing or nursing-related duties within the preceding 24-month period under nurse supervision
Work Hours Req
Regulatory Information
VerifiedGoverning Authority
Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing (DIAL)
(515) 281-4115
Program Approval Body
Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing (DIAL)
State-Approved Training Program Required
Regulated by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing (DIAL)
State-Approved Training Program
Training Hours Breakdown
75
Total Hours
45
Classroom
30
Clinical
Program Approval Body
Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing (DIAL)
Topics Covered
Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
Written Exam
Available
Oral Exam Option
Required
Skills Evaluation
Exam Provider
Headmaster (D&S Diversified) and Credentia for written/oral; Iowa community colleges for skills evaluation
Written Exam Details
60
Questions
Skills Evaluation Details
5
Skills Tasks
Attempts Allowed
3
Retest Waiting Period
Both components must be passed within 1 year; if one part passes, the other must pass within 1 year or both must be repeated; after 3 failures on either component, must repeat training before retesting
Minimum Age
Education
Background Check
Fingerprinting
Immunizations Required
TB Test Required
Abuse Registry Check
Physical Exam Required
CPR Certification
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Training Program Fee Varies by program; training is often employer-paid for nursing home employees | $500–$1,200 |
Competency Exam Fee Written: $50 (Headmaster online) or $70 (Credentia online) or in-person at community college; Skills: $115 (community college) or $135 (Health Tech Associates) | $165–$205 total (written $50–$70 + skills $115–$135) |
State Registration Fee Placement on the Iowa Direct Care Worker Registry is automatic after passing both exams; no separate registration fee | $0 |
Total Initial Fees Exam fees only; no state registration fee; excludes training program tuition | $165–$205 |
Scope of Practice
Mostly verifiedAllowed Duties
Restricted Duties
Supervision Requirements
Must work under the supervision of a licensed nurse (RN or LPN)
Approved Work Settings
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years (24 months)
Renewal Period
Must have performed at least 8 consecutive hours (one day) of paid nursing or nursing-related duties within the preceding 24-month period under nurse supervision
Work Requirement
12 hours per year if employed in a federally certified long-term care facility (no CE requirement for registry maintenance itself)
In-Service/CE Hours
Renewal Fee
$0
The certification itself does not expire; active status maintained through qualifying employment; employer submits work history verification
Late Renewal Fee
$0
No late fee; registry status expires after 24 months without qualifying CNA employment
Inactive Reinstatement
If a nurse aide has not worked as a CNA for 24 months or more, must retake and pass both the written and skills competency exams to reactivate registry status
Regulatory Board
CNAs must maintain active certification by meeting work hour requirements and completing in-service training within each renewal cycle. Failure to renew may require retaking the competency exam.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State CNA Certification
Transfer Process
Out-of-state CNAs with current active certification may apply through the DCW Registry reciprocity application; must provide proof of at least 75 hours of training; processing time up to two weeks
Additional Requirements for Transfer
Out-of-state CNAs typically need to apply for reciprocity through the state's nurse aide registry. Verification of active, good-standing status on the originating state's registry is usually required.
Iowa uses Headmaster (D&S Diversified) and Credentia for written exams with remote online proctoring options. The CNA certification itself does not technically expire -- rather, registry status lapses after 24 months without qualifying employment. CNAs are only required to be on the registry for long-term care facility employment. Students can schedule exams before completing their CNA course.
Iowa follows the federal OBRA minimum of 75 training hours (45 classroom/lab + 30 clinical)
Iowa uses Headmaster (D&S Diversified) and Credentia for the written exam, not Pearson VUE or Prometric
DIAL expanded CNA testing with remote online exam options as of 2025
The certification itself does not expire; registry status is maintained through qualifying employment
CNAs are only required to be on the registry if seeking employment in a long-term care facility
No state registration fee and no renewal fee; students can schedule exams before completing their course
Iowa's registry is called the Direct Care Worker (DCW) Registry
12 hours of in-service training per year required only for CNAs employed in federally certified facilities
There is no interstate compact for CNAs. Transfer between states requires reciprocity application to the new state's Nurse Aide Registry.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Iowa.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#28 of 51
Cost
#32 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Nursing Assistants (SOC 31-1131)
Entry Level
$36,740
25th percentile
Median
$38,630
-2% vs. national avg ($39,530)Experienced
$44,710
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
22,970 employed in this state
Source: BLS OEWS – Nursing Assistants (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+4.1%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
+57,000
over 10 years
Annual Openings
182,300
per year (avg.)
1.4M currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Nursing Career Ladder+235% salary growth potential
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CNA
$38,630
State-approved training program (4-12 weeks)
You are here
CNA
State-approved training program (4-12 weeks)
$38,630
Practical nursing program (12-18 months) + NCLEX-PN
$59,460
ADN or BSN degree + NCLEX-RN
$76,960
MSN or DNP + national certification
$129,420
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 6–20 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing (DIAL) — Licensing Requirements
2–6 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing (DIAL) — Licensing Requirements
Study guides and practice tests for the certified nursing assistant exam.
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Iowa requires 75 hours of training and passage of the Headmaster (D&S Diversified) and Credentia for written/oral; Iowa community colleges for skills evaluation competency exam to become a Certified Nursing Assistant. All certification is managed through the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing (DIAL).
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state Board of Nursing.