Iowa Code r. 481-432.6 - Continuing education exemptions

(1) Automatic exemptions. A licensee will be exempt from the continuing education requirement during the continuing education compliance period when that person:

a. Served honorably on active duty in the military service;

b. Resided in another state or district having continuing education requirements for the discipline and met all mandates of that state or district for practice therein;

c. Was a government employee working in the licensee's specialty and assigned to duty outside the United States;

d. Was absent from the state but engaged in active practice under circumstances that are approved by the board;

e. Obtained a journeyperson license by examination provided that the licensee maintains the same renewal date as the licensee's apprentice license. This automatic exemption only applies to the licensee's first renewal of the journeyperson license;

f. Obtained a specialty, journeyperson, or master license with less than one year remaining in the continuing education compliance period. This exemption applies only to the licensee's first renewal of that license and only to each license that was issued with less than one year remaining in the continuing education compliance period; or

g. Possesses an inactive specialty license under 481-subrule 431.8(3) and is also actively licensed as an apprentice.

(2) Permissive exemptions. The board may, in cases involving exceptional hardship or extenuating circumstances, grant an exemption from some or all of the continuing education requirements.

a. A licensee seeking a permissive exemption will apply to the board, in such form as the board may prescribe.

b. A licensee seeking a permissive exemption will provide all such documentary evidence as the board may request to establish the exceptional hardship or extenuating circumstances.

c. In the event a licensee claims a physical or mental disability or illness, the board may request information from a licensed health care professional who can attest to the existence of any such disability or illness.

d. A licensee who applies for a permissive exemption will be notified in writing of the board's decision.

e. In granting an exemption, the board may impose any such additional conditions on the exemption including but not limited to the requirement that the licensee make up a portion of the continuing education requirements.

f. In lieu of granting a full or partial exemption, the board may grant the licensee an extension of time in which to complete the continuing education requirements.

g. The granting of an exemption will not keep a licensee from seeking, or the board from granting, an exemption in a subsequent biennial continuing education compliance period(s).

h. Permissive exemptions will only be granted in the most exceptional and extraordinary of circumstances.

Notes

Iowa Code r. 481-432.6

ARC 7996C, IAB 5/15/2024, effective 6/19/2024; Editorial change: IAC Supplement 4/2/2025