How to become a paraeducator in Iowa.

To become a paraeducator in Iowa, there are specific requirements you must meet—including training and a background check. 

Minimum Iowa paraeducator requirements, at a glance*: 

• High school diploma or equivalent 

• Completion of an approved paraeducation certification program 

• Mandatory Reporter Training 

In addition to Iowa state requirements, Kelly Education requires you to: 

• complete our ParaSmarts pre-hire training course. 

• attend a one-hour new hire orientation session. 

You may know this classroom role by another name, such as teaching aide or parapro. At Kelly Education, however, we prefer the term paraeducator, which better reflects the expertise and professionalism required for the job. You’ll be working closely with both teachers and students to provide the best, most effective learning environment possible. 

How to become a paraeducator in Iowa. 

Kelly Education partners with many school districts throughout the country, including several in Iowa. If you’re interested in working in one of our partner districts, we’ll guide you each step of the way and help you understand the requirements. With our expertise and your determination, you can become a paraeducator in Iowa in no time at all! 

A deeper dive into paraeducator requirements. 

While some states require paraeducators to hold a college degree or have completed college credits before they can work in a classroom, there are no such statewide requirements in Iowa. However, a high school diploma or its equivalent is required, and transcripts should be submitted with the application. 

You must complete a state-approved certification program. A list of approved programs can be found here. 

Districts, however, can establish their own requirements that exceed the state’s requirements. So, depending on the district where you’re applying, there may be requirements in addition to what the state mandates. Typically, the specific requirements for a paraeducator are listed in the job listing. 

The paraeducator certificate is valid for five years; after this period, it must be renewed. To do so, you must complete mandatory reporter training for child abuse. You also must have three renewal credits, verification of a master’s degree, or at least 10 years of PK-12 licensed experience. Substitute teaching can count as years of experience, but only if you have at least 91 days of teaching for that year. 

Education verification. 

Applicants across the state must have a high school diploma or equivalent, and transcripts must be submitted. If the district requires a degree or college credits, transcripts for these should also be submitted. Of course, even if college credits aren’t required, it’s a good idea to submit your college transcripts if you have them. Contact the school for details on how to submit these documents. 

Employer verification. 

You must demonstrate that you are legally able to work in Iowa. To do so, you’ll fill out an I-9 form with valid identification credentials to verify employment eligibility. It takes just a few minutes, and a Kelly recruiter will be glad to assist you if needed. Please ensure that you include two valid forms of identification along with the completed form. 

Training. 

Kelly Education also requires that all our paraeducators complete a free pre-hire ParaSmarts online training course. This specialized course has been developed in collaboration with education experts and administrators, drawing on years of experience and in-depth research. It provides practical training to help paraeducators work with students with special needs as well as with English language learners. 

We also recommend that you pursue First Aid and CPR certification, regardless of whether the school district requires it. These emergency response skills are a valuable asset in any classroom, making you more valuable both as a job candidate and a working paraeducator. Courses are typically inexpensive, and the school or district may even cover the cost. 

Get started with Kelly Education. 

Kelly Education works with hundreds of school districts across the country, including many in Iowa. We’ve helped many to meet the requirements to become paraeducators, and we’d be glad to share our experience and expertise with you. 

If you’re interested in working in one of our partner districts, just fill out our interest form, and a Kelly Education recruiter will reach out to discuss the process in more detail.  

We also have an entire library of helpful articles for paraeducators and substitute teachers. Some of the resources we have available include: 

• What is a paraprofessional in schools 

• Understanding IEP and 504 plans 

• Paraeducator job description, duties, and responsibilities 

*Information subject to change. This is a general guideline as of July 2025. School districts may have additional requirements in addition to state requirements. 

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