Iowa Code r. 481-573.1 - Continuing education requirements

(1) Prior to renewal, licensees and registrants are responsible for completing continuing education as follows unless claiming a permissible extension or exemption:
a. Each person who holds a license or faculty permit to practice dentistry: a minimum of 30 hours.
b. Each person who holds a license or faculty permit to practice dental hygiene: a minimum of 30 hours.
c. Each person registered to practice dental assisting: a minimum of 20 hours.
d. Each registrant or licensed nurse who holds a radiography qualification: a minimum of two hours in the area of dental radiography. These hours may also be applied toward the requirements as stipulated in paragraph 573.1(1)"c."
e. Pursuant to Iowa Code chapters 232 and 235B, mandatory reporter training for child abuse and dependent adult abuse. Licensees and registrants who regularly provide or assist with dental services to patients in Iowa are responsible for completing mandatory reporter training within six months of employment or prior to the expiration of a current certificate.
(1) Licensees and registrants who regularly provide dental services to children shall complete training pertaining to identifying and reporting abuse in children. Completion of this component of the mandatory reporter training results in two hours of continuing education credit.
(2) Licensees and registrants who regularly provide dental services to adults shall complete training pertaining to identifying and reporting abuse in dependent adults. Completion of this component of the mandatory reporter training results in two hours of continuing education credit.
f. Pursuant to 481-Chapter 572, cardiopulmonary certification, which results in a maximum of three hours of continuing education credit. Certification in pediatric advanced life support (PALS) or advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) results in hour-for-hour credit.
g. A minimum of one hour of continuing education in the area of infection control. The course content should focus on infection control standards, as required by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
h. A minimum of one hour of continuing education in the area of Iowa jurisprudence related to the practice of dentistry, dental hygiene and dental assisting.
i. As a condition of license renewal, for a licensed dentist who has prescribed opioids to a patient during the biennium renewal period, a minimum of one hour of continuing education on opioids.
(1) This training shall include guidelines for prescribing opioids, including recommendations on limitations of dosages and the length of prescriptions, risk factors for abuse, and nonopioid and nonpharmacological therapy options. If the continuing education did not cover the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guideline for prescribing opioids for chronic pain, the licensee shall read the guideline prior to license renewal.
(2) A licensed dentist who did not prescribe opioids during the biennium renewal period may attest that the dentist is not subject to this requirement due to the fact that the dentist did not prescribe opioids during the time period.
(2) Licensees and registrants may apply completed continuing education hours that meet the requirements of paragraphs 573.1(1)"d" through "h" toward the requirements for renewal of the license or registration.
(3) The continuing education compliance period shall be the 24-month period commencing September 1 and ending on August 31 of the renewal cycle, except when applying continuing education hours from the previous renewal period in accordance with this rule.
(4) Licensees and registrants may obtain continuing education credit by attending and participating in continuing education activities that meet the requirements of this chapter.
(5) Pursuant to Iowa Code section 272C.2(2) "h," licensees and registrants who complete continuing education hours in excess of the requirements for renewal may apply up to 50 percent of the required hours to the following renewal period. Hours may be carried forward as follows:
a. Licensees and faculty permit holders may apply a maximum of 15 hours from the previous renewal period.
b. Registered dental assistants may apply a maximum of ten hours from the previous renewal period.
c. Licensees and registrants may not carry forward hours for courses in the areas of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), infection control, jurisprudence, dental radiography, or opioids completed during the previous renewal period.

Notes

Iowa Code r. 481-573.1
Adopted by IAB March 5, 2025/Volume XLVII, Number 18, effective 4/9/2025

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