Certified Nursing Assistant in Iowa

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for IA. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$38,630

trending_down -2.3% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Iowa.

engineering

22,970

Jobs (IA)

monitoring Stable

+2.3%

10-yr job growth

payments

$175

Licensing fees

schedule

3-8 weeks (training) + at least 2 weeks (registry processing)

Time to complete

route How to become a certified nursing assistant in Iowa

To become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Iowa, individuals must complete a state-approved 75-hour training program, which includes both classroom instruction and clinical practice. After completing the training, candidates must pass the Iowa Nurse Aide State Exam, consisting of written and skills components. Upon successful completion of the exam, their name is submitted to the Iowa Direct Care Worker Registry, overseen by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing. Iowa offers reciprocity for CNAs certified in other states, requiring an online application and verifiable employment.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $35,070

25th percentile $36,740

50th (median) $38,630

75th percentile $44,710

90th (experienced) $48,100

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Iowa. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Iowa requirements

Licensing body	Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing
State license	Not required
Education	75-hour state-approved training program
Exam	Iowa Nurse Aide State Exam (written and skills components) ($175)
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	12.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age is 16 years old. Requires a criminal background check and specific immunizations/waivers (Hepatitis B, COVID, Influenza, TB). Certification does not expire, but standing on the registry expires if no qualifying employment for 24 months. To remain active, CNAs must work at least 8 hours for pay in a nursing or nursing-related role every 24 months. If employed in a certified long-term care facility, 12 hours of in-service training are required annually.

Source: Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+2.3%

Average

Annual openings

204,100

Nationwide per year

Total employment

1,441,500

Nationwide

balance Is it worth it?

infoNo state license required — lower barrier but weaker signal

psychology

Wondering if a certified nursing assistant career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

How do you get certified as a certified nursing assistant in Iowa? expand_more

In Iowa, becoming a certified nursing assistant requires you to complete the required education (75-hour state-approved training program), and pass the Iowa Nurse Aide State Exam (written and skills components).

Can I work as a certified nursing assistant in Iowa without a license? expand_more

No state license is needed to work as a certified nursing assistant in Iowa. Note: Minimum age is 16 years old. Requires a criminal background check and specific immunizations/waivers (Hepatitis B, COVID, Influenza, TB). Certification does not expire, but standing on the registry expires if no qualifying employment for 24 months. To remain active, CNAs must work at least 8 hours for pay in a nursing or nursing-related role every 24 months. If employed in a certified long-term care facility, 12 hours of in-service training are required annually.

What do certified nursing assistants earn in Iowa? expand_more

The median certified nursing assistant salary in Iowa is $38,630 per year. — within a few percent of the $39,530 national figure. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $35,070, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $48,100.

How much does it cost to become a certified nursing assistant in Iowa? expand_more

Plan on spending varies total — that covers exam fee ($175) plus your education and training.

How many months or years does certified nursing assistant certification take in Iowa? expand_more

In Iowa, becoming a certified nursing assistant generally takes 3-8 weeks (training) + at least 2 weeks (registry processing), accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.

What's required to renew a certified nursing assistant license in Iowa? expand_more

License renewal in Iowa requires completing 12.0 hours of continuing education on a 2.0-year cycle.