Title
Behavioral Health Careers by State
Body
The SAMHSA Behavioral Health Career Navigator is a tool for people who want a job or career in mental health and substance use disorder treatment and prevention. There are many ways to start and grow a career in behavioral health. Each path has its own requirements for getting and keeping a license or certification, and these requirements can be different depending on where you live. You can also learn more about each role.
Iowa Careers
Addiction Counselor
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
Iowa Board of Certification
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | Not applicable | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | High school/GED |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 1000 hours | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 1000 hours (general supervision), including 36 hours (direct supervision) | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | Yes | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 24 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 40 hours |
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
Iowa Board of Certification
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | Not applicable | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | Graduate |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 10000 hours | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 200 hours directly supervised | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | Yes | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 24 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 40 hours |
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
Iowa Board of Certification
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | Not applicable | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | 40 hours of job-related education |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | None | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 500 hours | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 500 hours directly supervised | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | No | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 24 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 15 hours |
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Practitioner
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
Iowa Board of Nursing
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | Yes for nurse licensure; no for APRN | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | Graduate |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, Must be a licensed RN | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, Must be a licensed RN | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | Yes | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 36 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 36 hours |
Clinical Social Worker
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
Iowa Board of Social Work
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | Graduate |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 3000 hours | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 3000 hours (general supervision), including 110 hours (direct supervision) | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | Yes | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 24 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 27 hours |
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
Iowa Board of Social Work
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | Undergraduate |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | No | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | No | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | Yes | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 24 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 27 hours |
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
Iowa Board of Social Work
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | Graduate |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | No | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | No | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | Yes | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 24 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 27 hours |
Marriage and Family Therapist
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
Iowa Department of Public Health
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | Not applicable | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | Graduate |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 3000 hours | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 3000 hours (general supervision), including 110 hours (direct supervision) | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | Yes | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 24 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 40 hours |
Mental Health Counselor
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
Iowa Department of Public Health
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | Undergraduate |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 3000 hours | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 200 hours (direct supervision) | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | Yes | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 24 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 40 hours |
Peer Recovery Support Specialist
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
Iowa Board of Certification
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | Not applicable | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | High school/GED |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 500 hours | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 500 hours (general supervision); 25 hours (direct supervision) | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | Yes | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 24 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 20 hours |
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
Iowa Board of Certification (renewals only; no longer issuing initial certifications)
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | Not applicable | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | Not applicable |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Not applicable | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Not applicable | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Not applicable | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | Not applicable (no new certifications issued; out-of-state residents receive CPRS) | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 24 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 24 hours |
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
Iowa Board of Certification
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | Not applicable | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | High School/GED |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 500 hours | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 500 hours (general supervision); 25 hours (direct supervision) | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | No | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 24 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 20 hours |
Physician Assistant
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
Iowa Board of Physician Assistants
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | No | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | Graduate |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | No | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | No | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | Yes | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 24 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 100 hours |
Prevention Specialist
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
Iowa Board of Certification
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | Not applicable | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | High school/GED |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 2000 hours | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 2000 hours (general supervision) | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | Yes | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 24 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 40 hours |
Psychiatrist/Addiction Medicine Physician
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
Iowa Board of Medicine
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | Graduate |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, Post-graduate training (e.g., residency) | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, Post-graduate training (e.g., residency) | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | Yes | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 24 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 40 hours |
Psychologist
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
Iowa Board of Psychology
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | No | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | Graduate |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 1500 hours | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 1500 hours (general supervision), including 45 hours (direct supervision) | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | Yes | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 24 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 40 hours |