Iowa CNA Registry
Verify your certification status, check expiration dates, and find renewal information through the official Iowa Direct Care Worker Registry.
Visit Official RegistryCertification does not expire; registry status lapses after 24 months without qualifying employment
Renewal Period
At least 8 hours of qualifying paid employment in nursing services during any 24-month period
Work Requirement
Yes
Accepts Reciprocity
Free
Online Lookup
How to Look Up Your Iowa CNA License
Visit the Iowa DIAL Health Facilities Division Registry
Go to dia-hfd.iowa.gov to access the official Iowa Direct Care Worker Registry public lookup.
Go to LookupChoose the registry search option
Select the Direct Care Worker Registry / Nurse Aide search from the main menu to begin looking up a CNA.
Enter the CNA's information
Search by first and last name or by Direct Care Worker certificate number to find the individual's registry record.
Review the certification details
View the CNA's current status (Active or Lapsed), any expiration or last qualifying-employment date, and any findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation on record.
About the Iowa Direct Care Worker Registry
The Iowa Direct Care Worker Registry is the state's official credential database for Certified Nurse Aides and other direct care workers. It is maintained by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL) and replaces the older 'Iowa Nurse Aide Registry' name to reflect the registry's broader role across multiple direct care credentials.
Iowa is one of the few states whose CNA credential does not technically expire — instead, your registry status remains active as long as you perform at least 8 hours of paid nursing services during each 24-month period. Long-term care facilities are required by law to verify eligibility through the registry and to report qualifying employment hours back to DIAL.
As of January 2026, exam registration, payment, and records are handled centrally by TestMaster Universe/Headmaster rather than by individual Iowa community colleges. Community colleges still serve as testing sites and proctors for both the written and skills portions, but candidates schedule and pay through TMU. The Remotely Proctored Knowledge Exam through TMU or Credentia is also available.
Contact Information
Official Website
https://dial.iowa.gov/licenses/health/direct-care-worker-registryPhone Number
(515) 381-7835Mailing Address
Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing Direct Care Worker Registry 6200 Park Avenue, Suite 100 Des Moines, IA 50321
Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM CT
Iowa CNA Testing Information
Testing Vendor
Iowa uses TestMaster Universe/Headmaster (Credentia available for Remotely Proctored Knowledge Exam) to administer the nurse aide competency evaluation. The exam consists of a written (or oral) knowledge test and a skills demonstration.
Visit TestMaster Universe/Headmaster (Credentia available for Remotely Proctored Knowledge Exam)Training Requirements
Iowa requires 75 hours, including approximately 45 hours of classroom/lab and at least 30 hours of supervised clinical practice. Training programs must be approved by the state.
Find Iowa CNA ClassesIowa CNA Renewal Requirements
Renewal Period
Iowa CNA certification is valid for Certification does not expire; registry status lapses after 24 months without qualifying employment from the date of initial certification or last renewal.
Work Requirement
You must perform at least At least 8 hours of qualifying paid employment in nursing services during any 24-month period during your certification period to be eligible for renewal.
Employer Verification
Your employer verifies your work hours directly through the registry system. Keep your contact information current with your employer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I keep my Iowa CNA certification active?
Iowa CNA certification itself does not expire, but your status on the Direct Care Worker Registry will lapse if you go 24 months without performing at least 8 hours of paid nursing services. Your Iowa employer is required by law to report qualifying employment to DIAL, so as long as you continue working in a CNA role at a long-term care facility your registry status stays Active.
How do I look up an Iowa CNA's license?
Visit dia-hfd.iowa.gov, which hosts the Iowa Direct Care Worker Registry's public lookup. You can search by name or by certificate number to verify a CNA's current status, expiration timing, and any findings on record. The registry is maintained by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL) and is updated as employers report qualifying employment.
Can I transfer my CNA certification to Iowa from another state?
Yes. Apply online through the Direct Care Worker Registry website at dia-hfd.iowa.gov. In the 'State Certified (if other than IA)' field, list every state where you currently hold active nurse aide certification, and upload a copy of your present registry certification card and your Social Security card. Processing takes at least two weeks, and you may not work as a CNA in Iowa until your status shows Active.
What happened to Iowa community college nurse aide testing in January 2026?
As of January 2026, Iowa community colleges no longer serve as the primary registration and payment system for nurse aide testing — they are now testing sites and proctors only. Registration, fee payment, and exam records are handled centrally by TestMaster Universe/Headmaster (TMU). The written exam can also be taken online via TMU's Remotely Proctored Knowledge Exam or through Credentia.
What are the Iowa CNA exam fees?
The written exam is $50 at an Iowa community college, $50 online through TMU's Remotely Proctored Knowledge Exam, or $70 through Credentia. The skills exam is $115 at an Iowa community college or about $135 through Health Tech Associates. DIAL does not charge a separate application fee for initial Direct Care Worker Registry placement.
How do I update my name or address on the Iowa Direct Care Worker Registry?
Contact DIAL directly at (515) 381-7835 or [email protected] to update your personal information. Name changes require supporting legal documentation such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. Updates typically process within 2-4 weeks. Keeping your address current is important because DIAL uses it to notify you of changes to your registry status.
Iowa CNA Refresher Topics
Whether you are preparing to renew your Iowa certification, brushing up before returning to work, or studying for the Iowa Direct Care Worker Registry reinstatement exam, these free guides cover the topics most commonly tested:
Patient Rights & HIPAA
OBRA '87 resident rights, mandatory reporting, advance directives — essential for any Iowa CNA returning to active status.
Infection Control
Standard precautions, PPE protocols, and transmission-based precautions for Iowa nurse aides working with vulnerable residents.
Safety & Emergencies
Fall prevention, RACE/PASS fire response, choking, and CPR — heavily tested on Iowa CNA reinstatement exams.
Personal Care & Elimination
Bathing, peri-care, toileting, and incontinence management procedures used daily by Iowa CNAs in long-term care.
Dementia & Cognitive Care
Validation therapy, sundowning, and de-escalation techniques for working with cognitively impaired residents in Iowa.
Body Systems & Conditions
Recognizing strokes (FAST), hypoglycemia, pressure injuries, and CHF — essential clinical knowledge for active Iowa CNAs.
Legal & Ethical Issues
Scope of practice, negligence, mandatory reporting, and professional boundaries — review essentials for any Iowa CNA renewing certification.
Communication & SBAR
SBAR handoff, therapeutic responses, and adaptations for hearing- or vision-impaired residents — practical refreshers for Iowa CNAs.
Data Collection & Reporting
Objective vs subjective documentation, pain scales, and what to report immediately — refresh the rules used daily by Iowa CNAs.
End-of-Life Care
Hospice vs palliative care, recognizing signs of approaching death, and postmortem care — for Iowa CNAs in long-term care settings.
Becoming a CNA in Iowa?
See the step-by-step requirements to become a CNA in Iowa, find approved training programs, or access free study materials.