The Workforce First Act mandates that the state board of regents conduct a comprehensive review of all undergraduate and graduate academic programs at institutions of higher education under its governance. This review is to be completed by the first meeting of the board occurring on or after November 1, 2025, and aims to assess the alignment of these programs with current and future workforce needs in Iowa. The board is required to collaborate with the department of education and the department of workforce development during this process.

Following the review, the board must submit a report to the governor and the general assembly by November 30, 2025. This report will include recommendations for each academic program, indicating whether it should remain unchanged, be eliminated, or undergo changes, along with a description of those recommended changes.