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Iowa · Clinical Social Work
Iowa LISW continuing education requirements
An Iowa LISW needs 27 hours of continuing education every 2 years to renew. This page is our summary of the continuing education rules for a licensed clinical social worker (LISW) in Iowa, as we read them from the published rules of the Iowa Board of Social Work on September 25, 2026.
- Hours
- 27
- Renewal
- Every 2 years
- Last checked
- September 25, 2026
A reference, not legal or licensing advice. Confirm is not affiliated with the Iowa Board of Social Work and does not speak for it. We summarize the published rules as a convenience and they can change or be read differently, so this page may be incomplete or out of date. Your board has the final say: always confirm your requirements with your board before you renew. Use this page at your own risk. See the Terms.
Total hours
- 27 hours (after the first renewal)
- 0 hours (first renewal)First-time licensees are not required to complete CE before the first renewal.
Compliance period January 1 of odd years to December 31 of the next even year.
Hours that must be included
- Social work ethics: 3 hours
Limits
- Pro bono or volunteer services (board pre-approved): at most 3 hours
- Instructing a course or CE program (one-time): at most 3 hours
- Authorship and presentations (one-time): at most 3 hours
- Supervising practicum students (1 hour per 100 hours): at most 6 hours
Paperwork and other items
- Board-approved supervisors: 3 hours in supervisionOnly if you hold supervisor status.
- Mandatory reporter training (HHS)Initial two-hour dependent adult abuse and child abuse courses, then one-hour recertification every three years.
Source
481—881.2(3) (Iowa HHS continuing education rules), read on September 25, 2026.
Board: Iowa Board of Social Work.
This summary may be incomplete or out of date. The board’s own rules are the only authority; confirm your requirements with the board before you renew.