Iowa

Iowa credentials three types of addiction counselors. A Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor can attain the credential in two ways. The education track requires the individual complete specific relevant education classes and 1,000 hours of experience. The experience track requires a high school diploma, 150 hours of relevant training and 3,000 hours of experience.

An International Alcohol and Drug Counselor requires a high school degree, 270 hours of training and 6,000 hours of work experience. A higher-level degree can substitute the number of hours (i.e. a person with a bachelor’s degree needs 4,000 hours). An International Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselors requires a master’s degree, 180 hours of relevant education and supervised experience in ten domains. Iowa Board of Certification

Licensed mental health counselors may provide services involving assessment, referral, consultation, and the application of counseling, human development, principles, learning theory, group dynamics, and the etiology of maladjustment and dysfunctional behavior to individuals, families and groups. Diagnostic ability is not outlined in statute. Iowa Code §154D.1(6)

As of August 2018, 36 NPs in Iowa have received a federal waiver to treat opioid dependency with buprenorphine-containing products. Consistent with their prescriptive authority and with proper training or experience an NP may obtain a federal waiver to dispense buprenorphine-containing products. Iowa Admin. Code r. 655-7.1

As of August 2018, 4 PAs in Iowa have received a federal waiver to treat opioid dependency with buprenorphine-containing products. A PA in Iowa may prescribe Schedule III-V controlled substances as delegated by a supervising physician. With proper training or appropriate experience a PA in Iowa can receive a federal waiver to dispense buprenorphine-containing products, as long as the supervising physician is certified, trained, or permitted to treat and manage patients with opioid use disorder. Iowa Admin. Code r. 645-327.1(1)(s)

There are currently no statutory or regulatory standards for the certification of mental health peer support specialists and peer recovery specialists. The standards and requirements for the certification of mental health peer support specialists and peer recovery specialists are developed and administered by third-party, nonprofit certification providers.

NPs are authorized to sign physician orders for scope of treatment forms and to provide end-of-life treatment in clinical and home health agency settings. Iowa Code Ann. §144D.1 – 4

NPs have full independent practice authority. An NP means a nurse with current licensure as a registered nurse in Iowa or who is licensed in another state and recognized for licensure in this state pursuant to the nurse licensure compact, and is also registered in Iowa to practice in an advanced role. The ARNP is prepared for an advanced role by virtue of additional knowledge and skills gained through a formal advanced practice education program of nursing in a specialty area approved by the board. In the advanced role, the nurse practices nursing assessment, intervention and management within the boundaries of the nurse-client relationship. Advanced nursing practice occurs in a variety of settings, within an interdisciplinary health care team, which provide for consultation, collaborative management, or referral. 655 IAC §7.1(152)

NPs may prescribe drugs, devices and medical gases and are authorized to prescribe controlled substances after they register with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Iowa Board of Pharmacy. 655 IAC §7.1(152)

NPs are recognized in state policy as primary care providers. A primary care provider means any of the following who provide primary care and meet certification standards: a physician who is a family or general practitioner, a pediatrician, an internist, an obstetrician or a gynecologist; an advanced registered nurse practitioner; a physician assistant; or a chiropractor. Iowa Code Ann. §135.157(9)

Optometrists may only perform procedures related to foreign body removal and the examination, evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of the human eye. Additional allowable procedures may be authorized by statute and/or rule. Iowa Code §154.1(3)(a)

Optometrists may administer all pharmaceutical agents for the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases, including epinephrine auto-injections to counter anaphylaxis. Iowa Code §154.1(3)(b)

Optometrists may prescribe Schedule III-V controlled substances and also Schedule II hydrocodone or hydrocodone combination medications. Iowa Code §154.1(3)(b)(3)

Public health supervision of dental hygienists may occur in a public health setting and requires the dentist and dental hygienist to enter into a written supervision agreement. A dental hygienist under public health supervision may provide services without an initial patient examination by the dentist and for certain procedures, the dentist is not required to provide future treatment. Iowa Code Title IV §153.15. 

Statute does not identify dental therapists as an oral health provider.

Iowa does not explicitly allow for the practice of teledentistry.

Pharmacists may order and administer the COVID-19 vaccine to patients ages eighteen years and older. Iowa Code §155A.46

Iowa does not allow pharmacists to modify prescriptions.

Iowa does not allow pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraceptives.

Pharmacists may prescribe nicotine replacement tobacco cessation products pursuant to the statewide protocol developed by the Board of Pharmacy. Iowa Code §155A.46

A physician who supervises a physician assistant shall establish a written supervisory agreement prior to supervising a physician assistant. The purpose of the supervisory agreement is to define the nature and extent of the supervisory relationship and the expectations of each party. The supervisory agreement shall take into account the physician assistant’s demonstrated skills, training and experience, proximity of the supervising physician to the physician assistant, and the nature and scope of the medical practice. 653 IAC §21.4(1)

A PA may prescribe drugs, medical devices and Schedules III-V controlled substances if delegated by the supervising physician. A PA may not prescribe Schedule II controlled substances that are listed as depressants in law. 645 IAC §327.1(1)(s)

The supervising physician delegates medical services to the physician assistant. All delegated medical services shall be within the scope of
practice of the supervising physician and the physician assistant. 653 IAC §21.4(2)(f)