Behavioral Health Careers by State
The SAMHSA Behavioral Health Career Navigator is a tool for those interested in a job or career in the fields of mental health and substance use. There are many options to start and grow a behavioral health career--all with varying requirements for entry and maintenance, which often varies by state. This guide can help you understand the basic requirements to enter the field in each state. 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 |
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, Not specified | |
| 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? | 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, 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 |
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) | |
| 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, 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, Not specified | |
| 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 |