CNA License in Iowa

Are you looking for a career that does not require long or any training and offers a good pay in Iowa? Would you like to help improve the quality of sick and disabled by assisting them with their daily needs? If you answered yes to both the questions, a career as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) may be an ideal choice for you.

CNA Certification Requirements in Iowa

To obtain a CNA certification in Iowa, you are not required to complete any training program. You just need to pass the written and skills portion of the nurse aide competency tests. You can challenge these tests without completing a training program. You can get trained at an institute if you want though. In fact, a lot of employers prefer that. In any case, just passing both parts of the exam will make you eligible to seek employment as a CNA in any of Iowa’s long term care facilities.

How to Get Your CNA Certification in Iowa

After passing the tests, you will be eligible to seek employment as a CNA. After you have found a job, your employer must inform the Direct Care Worker Registry, which will then list you as “Eligible” and you can call and prove yourself as someone who holds CNA certification in Iowa.

How to Verify Your CNA Certification in Iowa

If you need to check your CNA certification status in Iowa, just visit the DCW Registry Website – www.dia-hfd.state.ia.us, where you can look either from the public view or by logging into the site with your assigned account ID and password. You can also use Registry Voice Response System (VRS): 1.866.876.1997 (you may obtain your status by verifying your Social Security number when prompted to do so). Moreover, if you are currently employed, your employer can access the information using the VRS and the DCW Registry website. Finally, you can contact DCW Registry staff at (515) 281-4077.

How to Renew Your CNA Certification in Iowa

There are no formal renewal processes for nursing assistant certifications in Iowa. So long as you work as a nursing assistant for at least eight hours every two-year time period, your name will remain on Iowa's Direct Care Worker Registry as an active CNA.

How to Reinstate Your CNA Certification in Iowa

When a CNA in Iowa does not work at least 8 hours within a two-year time period, their certification status becomes inactive. To reinstate your CNA certification, you can either begin working again and have your employer report your hours or re-take the CNA competency examination.

How to Transfer Your CNA Certification from Iowa to Another State

The first step involved in transferring your CNA certification from Iowa to a different state is to locate and contact the other state's CNA regulatory agency. You can do this by using the CNA Nurse Aide Registries tool found on the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Website. Staff from the out-of-state registry will send you an “Interstate Reciprocity Form” to complete. After you have completed the appropriate section, the form should be sent to the Iowa DCW Registry to complete the registry section of the form. The Iowa registry will then forward the completed form by US mail to the other state for processing. It should be noted here that when transferring out of Iowa you must have completed a 75 hour course, because the other state will likely require it.

State-Approved CNA Programs in Iowa

To help you find a top quality school for your CNA training in Iowa, we have listed some of the best schools in the state below!

1. Des Moines Area Community College

   2006 S Ankeny Blvd, Ankeny, IA 50023 (515) 964-6200

2. Eastern Iowa Community College

   101 W 3rd St, Davenport, IA 52801 (563) 336-3300

3. Hawkeye Community College

   1501 E Orange Rd, Waterloo, IA 50701 (319) 296-2320

4. Iowa Valley Continuing Education

   3702 S Center St, Marshalltown, IA 50158 (641) 752-4645

5. Iowa Western Community College

   2700 College Rd, Council Bluffs, IA 51503 (712) 325-3200

6. Kirkwood Community College

   6301 Kirkwood Blvd SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 (319) 398-5411

7. North Iowa Area Community College

   500 College Dr, Mason City, IA 50401 (888) 466-4222

8. Northwest Iowa Community College

   603 W Park St, Sheldon, IA 51201 (712) 324-5061