To practice physical therapy in Iowa, you’ll need to renew your license every two years. If you’re a PT, part of that process will require completing 40 hours of continuing education. PTAs need to complete 30 hours. Keep reading for more details on the requirements for Iowa physical therapy continuing education!
At a glance:
| Iowa – 40 CEU hours every 2 years by the 15th day of license holder’s birth month. |
At least 75% of your continuing education should be directly related to the clinical application of physical therapy practice. So if you’re a PT, that’s 30 or more hours, or if you’re a PTA, at least 15. If this is your first renewal as an Iowa PT or PTA, you’re off the hook for continuing education!
Iowa Physical Therapy CEU Requirements
From the Iowa Physical Therapy Practice Act Website: (IA source)
“The biennial continuing education compliance period shall extend for a two-year period that begins on the sixteenth day of the birth month and ends two years later on the fifteenth day of the birth month.
“Each biennium, each person who is licensed to practice as a physical therapist in this state shall be required to complete a minimum of 40 hours of continuing education approved by the board; a minimum of 30 hours shall be directly and primarily related to the clinical application of physical therapy.”
There are many formats for acceptable continuing education in Iowa. Although coursework is by far the most common, you may also earn CEU credit by:
- Attending a workshop, seminar, or conference
- Completing an APTA-approved residency or fellowship
- Supervising a PT student
- Presenting a professional program
- Teaching in an approved college or university
- Authoring and publishing research
- Participating in professional organizations related to physical therapy, as a board or committee member, for example.
For more details on hour values and limits for each of these activities, check out this document.
Mandatory Reporter Training
If you provide healthcare to children or dependent adults, you will need to maintain training in mandatory reporting of abuse. This training must be done online through the state website here. Keep in mind that you only need to do the 2-hour version of either course the first time. After that, you can opt for the 1-hour refresher course. Just make sure you complete it every 3 years.
In most cases, this training will count towards your overall CEU hours for license renewal.
What CEU Courses are Allowed in Iowa?
With the exception of Mandatory Reporting, the Iowa Board of Physical Therapy does not pre-approve continuing education providers or courses. Instead, they ask the licensee to ensure that their continuing education meets the board’s standards.
In general, continuing education must meet the following criteria:
- Contribute directly to the practice of physical therapy
- Pertain to subjects that integrate to the practice
- Be conducted by qualified specialists
- Fulfill its stated objectives
- Provide proof of attendance
Wondering what they consider “directly contributive” or “integrally pertaining” to physical therapy? Coursework that has a clinical application is most likely to fit this category. If the course doesn’t have a direct clinical application, it may still count toward your overall CEUs, but there may be a limit to how many hours you can accrue.
For example, the Board won’t allow more than 10 hours (if you’re a PT) or 5 hours (if you’re a PTA) in the following topics:
- Business or Law, such as marketing and jurisprudence
- Personal skills, such as communication and self-help
- General health, such as CPR and mandatory reporting
For more information, or to check if a course or activity qualifies, contact the Board.
Can I Use MedBridge in Iowa?
Yes, you can use an online CEU company like MedBridge Education to complete your Iowa Physical Therapy continuing education. A quick check on the MedBridge website shows hundreds of courses for Iowa PTs looking to renew their license.
At MedBridge you’ll discover a wide range of topics for your continuing education. From patient adherence and pain management to documentation and telehealth, there’s no shortage of subjects to keep you engaged. Most importantly, MedBridge provides plenty of courses to satisfy the Board’s requirement that 75% of your coursework be “directly contributive” to physical therapy.
Whether you prefer self-guided study or a live experience, MedBridge offers both formats all year long. An annual subscription grants you unlimited access to their vast library of CEU courses and a front-row seat to their live, interactive webinars.
Iowa PTs and PTAs alike will love the convenience and quality of a MedBridge continuing education. Use the MedBridge promo code PTProgress to save 40% on unlimited CEUs.
Do I need to submit proof of my completed CEUs?
Every legitimate CEU provider, including MedBridge, will give you a certificate of completion when you finish a CEU course or activity. The Iowa State Board of Physical Therapy does not require this document with your renewal. However, you should store it, along with any other proof of continuing education, for at least 4 years after your renewal in case you are selected for a formal audit.
May I carry over any excess CEUs?
Unfortunately, you won’t be able to carry over any CEUs from one renewal period to the other. The only exception is for new licensees, who can carry over CEUs from their first renewal to their second.
How much is the renewal fee?
It costs $60 to renew a Iowa PT or PTA license.
When does my Iowa Physical Therapy license expire?
In Iowa, a Physical Therapy license expires biennially on the 15th day of the license holder’s birth month.
How long does it take to renew a Iowa Physical Therapy license?
For many states, it can take 4–8 weeks to process your request, so start the process early!
Compare Physical Therapy CEUs by State
How does your state compare? Take a look at all of the state-by-state CEU requirements in this comprehensive article.
