{"application_form_url":null,"application_portal_url":"https://dia-hfd.iowa.gov/","board_contact_url":null,"board_email":"","board_fax":null,"board_mailing_address":null,"board_name":"Iowa Dept of Inspections and Appeals","board_parent_org":null,"board_phone":"(515) 281-4115","board_physical_address":null,"board_source_url":null,"board_url":null,"canonical_url":null,"ce_requirements_url":null,"common_delays":[{"description":"Failure to provide full employment details or a signed attestation from an employer can delay renewal or reciprocity processing.","title":"Incomplete Employment History"},{"description":"Iowa can only transfer active certifications. If your license has expired in another state, you must reactivate it there first.","title":"Lapsed Out-of-State Certification"},{"description":"Discrepancies between the name on your Social Security card and your application will cause significant delays in registry placement.","title":"Incorrect Social Security Information"}],"compact_member":null,"compact_name":null,"compact_privilege_fee":null,"created_at":"2026-04-11T20:10:58.873848+00:00","credential_type":null,"description":null,"endorsement_application_url":"https://dia-hfd.iowa.gov/","endorsement_fees":null,"endorsement_steps":[{"description":"Ensure your CNA certification is active and in good standing in your current state before applying for transfer.","title":"Verify Out-of-State Status","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Go to the Iowa Health Facilities Database and create a new user account to access the transfer application.","title":"Create a DCW Registry Account","url":"https://dia-hfd.iowa.gov/","url_label":"Create Account"},{"description":"Complete the online 'Transfer To/From Iowa DCW Registry' application within the portal. Iowa reciprocity is free of charge.","title":"Submit Transfer Application","url":"https://dia-hfd.iowa.gov/","url_label":"Start Transfer Application"},{"description":"DIAL staff will verify your out-of-state credentials. This process usually takes approximately two weeks.","title":"Wait for Processing","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Once approved, your status will show as 'Active' on the Iowa Registry. You may not work in a long-term care facility until this status is confirmed.","title":"Confirm Iowa Active Status","url":"https://dia-hfd.iowa.gov/","url_label":"Verify Status"}],"exam_registration_url":null,"faqs":[{"answer":"The certification itself does not expire, but your 'Active' status on the registry will lapse if you do not perform at least 8 hours of paid nursing-related duties every 24 months.","question":"Does an Iowa CNA certification expire?"},{"answer":"Renewal is handled by your employer. They must report your qualifying work hours directly to the DCW Registry. You cannot report your own hours.","question":"How do I renew my CNA certification in Iowa?"},{"answer":"Training costs vary by provider (approx. $500-$900), and exam fees are roughly $165-$205 total. If you are employed by a long-term care facility, they are required by law to cover these costs.","question":"What is the cost to become a CNA in Iowa?"},{"answer":"There are no CE requirements for the certification itself, but CNAs working in federally certified long-term care facilities must complete 12 hours of in-service training annually.","question":"Are there continuing education (CE) requirements?"},{"answer":"You may work for up to 4 months while completing your training and testing, provided you are enrolled in an approved program and the facility is not under a training ban.","question":"Can I work as a CNA before I am on the registry?"}],"fee_payment_url":null,"fingerprint_delay_weeks":null,"fingerprint_fee":null,"fingerprint_method_in_state":null,"fingerprint_method_out_of_state":null,"fingerprint_required":true,"fingerprint_url":null,"fingerprint_vendor":null,"fingerprint_vendor_url":null,"initial_fee_amount":0.0,"initial_fee_breakdown":null,"last_updated":null,"last_verified":null,"license_duration":null,"licensing_pathway":null,"payload_url":null,"processing_time":"2 to 4 Weeks","profession":"Certified Nursing Assistant","provisional_info":null,"reciprocity_info":null,"renewal_cycle":"Every 2 years","renewal_fee_amount":null,"renewal_portal_url":"https://dia-hfd.iowa.gov/","required_documents":[{"description":"Proof of completing the 75-hour approved training program.","name":"Course Completion Certificate","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"A legible copy of your Social Security card is required for registry placement and verification.","name":"Social Security Card","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Required for identification at the testing site.","name":"Government-Issued Photo ID","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Required for renewal or reinstatement; must be on facility letterhead and signed by a supervisor.","name":"Employment Verification Letter","url":null,"url_label":null}],"slug":"iowa-cna","state_name":"Iowa","state_slug":"iowa","statutes_url":"https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/iac/chapter/441.81.pdf","steps":[{"description":"Enroll in and complete a 75-hour state-approved Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP), which includes 30 hours of clinical practice.","title":"Complete State-Approved Training","url":"https://dial.iowa.gov/how-do-i-cna-training","url_label":"Find Training Programs"},{"description":"Register for both the written (knowledge) and skills exams. As of 2026, written exams are primarily handled through Headmaster (TMU) or Credentia.","title":"Register for Competency Exams","url":"https://ia.tmuniverse.com/","url_label":"Register via Headmaster"},{"description":"Successfully pass both the written and skills components with a score of 70% or higher. You have three attempts to pass both within one year of completing training.","title":"Pass Written and Skills Exams","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Upon passing both exams, the testing entity automatically submits your results to the Iowa Direct Care Worker (DCW) Registry. Processing typically takes 1-2 weeks.","title":"Automatic Registry Placement","url":"https://dia-hfd.iowa.gov/","url_label":"Check Registry Status"},{"description":"Log in to the Iowa Health Facilities Database (DCW Registry) using your assigned credentials to download and print your official registry card.","title":"Access and Print Registry Card","url":"https://dia-hfd.iowa.gov/","url_label":"Login to Registry"}],"temp_license_available":false,"temp_license_duration":null,"temp_license_fee":null,"temp_license_processing_time":null,"updated_at":"2026-05-03T09:01:20.620572+00:00","verify_license_url":"https://dia-hfd.iowa.gov/"}