Licensing Information

Iowa Licensure Requirements

60 hours of CE every 3 years
Qualified graduate courses - Each college credit times 10 for a maximum of 30 hours
20 hours maximum of approved distance education courses
20 hours maximum of approved practice management courses

No more than 20 hours can carry forward (Licensure period of 7/1/23-6/30/26)
60 for 2019 or before continuing education hours are due
40 for 2020 continuing education hours due
20 for 2021 continuing education hours due
00 for 2022 continuing education hours due

6.1(2) License requirements. Submit evidence of having completed at least 60 hours of approved continuing education within the last three licensing years. New graduates and applicants within one year after the date of graduation are exempt from continuing education requirements for initial licensing. Applicants who apply more than one year but less than two years after the date of graduation must complete at least 20 hours of approved continuing education. Applicants who apply more than two years but less than three years after the date of graduation must have completed at least 40 hours of approved continuing education.
811--11.1(169) Continuing education required. At least 60 hours of continuing education in courses approved by the board shall be completed within the last three licensing years by each licensee as a condition for license renewal. The licensee has financial responsibility for the cost of continuing education. These credit hours may be obtained by attending board-approved scientific or practice management seminars and meetings on the basis of one credit hour for each hour of attendance. Attendance at any approved national, state or regional meeting or RACE-approved meeting will be acceptable. One hour of credit may be approved for local meetings where a scientific paper is presented. Credit for qualified graduate college courses may be approved on the basis of multiplying each college credit hour by 10, to a maximum of 30 hours during any one triennial license period. A maximum of 20 hours during any one triennial license period of continuing education may be achieved by completion of approved distance education courses. A maximum of 20 hours of continuing education during any one triennial license period may be achieved by completion of approved practice management courses.
811—11.3(169) Reactivation of license. A veterinarian whose license has lapsed or been placed on inactive status shall furnish evidence of completion of a total number of hours of accredited continuing education computed by multiplying 20 by the number of years since the date of the last issuance of the license for which reactivation is sought.

These rules are intended to implement Iowa Code sections 169 and 272C.

Iowa veterinarians can all the Iowa Board of Veterinary Medicine to check on their licensure and/or qualifying continuing education (CE) hours. The Iowa Board of Veterinary Medicine in Des Moines is responsible for licensing and continuing education hours approval for veterinarians. Contact them at 515-281-8617.  The Board also provides a form to track your continuing education hours.  You can find this form by following this link:  https://iowaagriculture.gov/animal-industry-bureau/iowa-board-veterinary-medicine