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Certified Nursing Assistant
Total cost: $165
Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
75 hrs
Training Hours
Headmaster (D&S Diversified Technologies) for written/oral exam; Iowa community colleges for skills evaluation
Exam Provider
165
Total Initial Fees
2 years (24 months)
Renewal Period
12 hours per year if employed in a federally certified long-term care facility 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
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Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
Written Exam
Available
Oral Exam Option
Required
Skills Evaluation
Exam Provider
Headmaster (D&S Diversified Technologies) for written/oral exam; Iowa community colleges for skills evaluation
Written Exam Details
60
Questions
70%
Passing Score
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
Overall licensing difficulty: 1/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
Practice with realistic exam questions
CNA Certification Exam
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
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CNA Competency Exam
Questions
60 questions
Passing Score
70%
Administered By
Headmaster (D&S Diversified Technologies) for written/oral exam; Iowa community colleges for skills evaluation
Cost of failing
Retake fee: 165Invest in preparation to pass the first time.
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the CNA Competency Exam.
Study Materials & Exam Prep — CNA Certification Exam
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Study guides and practice tests for the certified nursing assistant exam.
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Minimum Age
Education
Background Check
Fingerprinting
Immunizations Required
TB Test Required
Abuse Registry Check
Physical Exam Required
CPR Certification
Not sure if you need a cna license? Check whether your state requires one.
| 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 |
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 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
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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
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 does not work as a CNA for two years or more, the aide will have to retake both competency tests to get their status updated on the registry and to be eligible to work at a long-term care facility in Iowa
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 currently on a direct care worker/CNA registry in another state can transfer to the Iowa registry; processing time at least two weeks per DIAL
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.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Iowa with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
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.
CNA requirements in nearby states
Other professional licenses in Iowa
See how Iowa compares: CNA License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Related Guides
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Iowa.
CNA Schools in Iowa
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to Iowa? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your CNA license to Iowa →
Transfer your CNA license from Iowa to: Illinois → | Minnesota → | Missouri → | Nebraska → | South Dakota → | Wisconsin →
Iowa requires 75 hours of training and passage of the Headmaster (D&S Diversified Technologies) for written/oral exam; 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.