Vet License Renewal & CE Tips

Iowa Vet Licensing

Next Renewal Deadline: June 30, 2026
Iowa veterinary licenses renew every three years.

Licensing Cycle: Iowa veterinary licenses are renewed every three years. Each triennial cycle runs from July 1 of the issuance year to June 30 of the third year. The current cycle ends June 30, 2026.

Stay proactive — the Iowa Board of Veterinary Medicine will send a renewal notice by mail, but you are responsible for completing CE and filing your renewal on time.

👉 Iowa Board Website

At a glance

CE Guidelines for Veterinarians

60 hours of CE required every 3 years
Up to 20 hours may be distance (online, non-live) CE
Up to 20 hours may be in practice management
Carry over up to 20 hours into the next license cycle
Cycle runs: July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2026 (for current license holders)

Regulation Source: Iowa Administrative Code 811—Chapter 11 (IAC 811-11.1)

Licensing Authority

The Iowa Board of Veterinary Medicine, a division of the Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship, is responsible for veterinary licensing and CE compliance.

📜 See Iowa Code §169.12 for license expiration and renewal notice requirements.

Navigate Your CE Needs

Use interactive CE to ensure maximum flexibility and credit.
Use the Iowa CE tracking form (available at this link).
Track your hours by category (clinical, distance, management).
Don’t lose excess hours — only 20 may be carried forward.
Check your mail — the Iowa Board sends renewal notices, but don’t rely solely on them.
Bookmark this site.

get an email reminder a month before your license renewal is due

deep dive

Navigate CE & Practice Rules

✔️ Approved CE Formats

Iowa veterinarians may complete up to 20 hours of CE via distance education per license cycle. These are typically non-interactive, anytime CE courses.
The remaining 40+ hours must be completed via approved in-person, live, or interactive online sessions.

✔️ Practice Management CE

You may apply a maximum of 20 hours of practice management CE toward your total.

✔️ Carry-Forward Hours

If you earn more than 60 CE hours during a cycle, you may carry up to 20 excess hours into the next 3-year license period.