With 50 different state dental boards and 50 different sets of requirements for dentist continuing education, it’s hard to keep track of what is required and where. The following list sourced from the American Dental Association provides a simple, easy-to-navigate snapshot of dentist CE requirements by state, in alphabetical order. We’ve also included links to each state dental board’s website as well as phone numbers.
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This list is intended for quick reference of general guidelines only — refer to your state board for complete information.
Alabama Dentist CE Requirements
Board of Dental Examiners of Alabama 205-985-7267
Years in Cycle
Hours in Cycle
Required Content
Approved National CE Providers
1
20
CPR, Infectious Disease Control
ADA, NDA, ADHA, NDHA, ADAA
Alaska Dentist CE Requirements
Board of Dental Examiners of Alaska 907-465-2550
Years in Cycle
Hours in Cycle
Required Content
Approved National CE Providers
2
32
CPR
ADA, ADHA, AGD
Arizona Dentist CE Requirements
Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners 602-242-1492
Years in Cycle
Hours in Cycle
Required Content
Approved National CE Providers
3
72
Chemical Dependency which may include smoking cessation (3 hours)
Infectious Diseases or Infectious Disease Control (3 hours)
CPR, ACLS, and PALS (3 hours)
Dental Jurisprudence (3 hours)
Arkansas Dentist CE Requirements
Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners 501-682-2085
Years in Cycle
Hours in Cycle
Required Content
Approved National CE Providers
3
42
CPR – 3 hours
Infectious Diseases or Infectious Disease Control – 3 hours
Chemical Dependency (may include tobacco cessation) – 3 hours
California Dentist CE Requirements
Dental Board of California 877-729-7789
Years in Cycle
Hours in Cycle
Required Content
Approved National CE Providers
2
50
Infection Control – 2 hours
California Dental Practice Act – 4 hours
Basic Life Support – 4 hours max
CERP, AGD-PACE
Colorado Dentist CE Requirements
Colorado Dental Board 303-894-7800
Years in Cycle
Hours in Cycle
Required Content
Approved National CE Providers
2
30
Basic Life Support (2 hours max)
CERP, PACE, AMA-PRA, CODA institutions
BLS only: AHA, ASHI, ARC
Connecticut Dentist CE Requirements
Connecticut State Dental Commission 860-509-7603
Years in Cycle
Hours in Cycle
Required Content
Approved National CE Providers
2
25
Infection Control
Prescribing Controlled Substances and Pain Management
ADA, National specialty orgs, AGD, CODA accredited schools and programs, national medical associations, ACGME
Delaware Dentist CE Requirements
Delaware Board of Dentistry and Dental Hygiene 302-744-4500
Years in Cycle
Hours in Cycle
Required Content
Approved National CE Providers
2
50
Infection Control (2 hours)
CPR
ADA, CERP, ADHA, ADAA, AGD, PACE
District of Columbia Dentist CE Requirements
The DC Board of Dentistry 877-672-2174
Years in Cycle
Hours in Cycle
Required Content
Approved National CE Providers
2
25
CPR
Infection Control (4 hours)
CE programs administered or approved by a recognized national, state or local dentistry organization; health care organization; accredited health care facility; or an accredited college or university
Florida Dentist CE Requirements
Florida Board of Dentistry 850-488-0595
Years in Cycle
Hours in Cycle
Required Content
Approved National CE Providers
2
30
CPR
2 hours Domestic Violence course is required every third biennial licensure
renewal.
HIV and AIDS course is required before first renewal
ADA, NDA, ADHA, NDHA, AGD, ARC, AHA, ACS, AMA-LCME
Georgia Dentist CE Requirements
Georgia Board of Dentistry 404-651-8000
Years in Cycle
Hours in Cycle
Required Content
Approved National CE Providers
2
40
CPR
ADA, ADHA, AGD, NDA, VA, Armed Forces, AMA, NMA, JCAHO Hospitals
CPR only: ARC, AHA, ASHI, NSC, EMS Safety Services
Hawaii Dentist CE Requirements
Hawaii State Board of Dental Examiners 808-586-3000
Years in Cycle
Hours in Cycle
Required Content
Approved National CE Providers
2
32
Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (4 hours max, does not count toward clinical CE course requirements)
Ethics course of at least 3 hours
AGD, ACCME, ADA, CERP, ADHA, AADH, ACPE, AHA, AMA, ARC, CODA, JCAHO Hospitals, Regional testing agencies
BLS only: ARC and AHA
Idaho Dentist CE Requirements
Idaho State Board of Dentistry 208-334-2369
Years in Cycle
Hours in Cycle
Required Content
Approved National CE Providers
2
30
CPR
Illinois Dentist CE Requirements
Illinois Board of Dentistry 217-785-0800
Years in Cycle
Hours in Cycle
Required Content
Approved National CE Providers
3
48
Basic Life Support (4 hours max)
ADA, NDA, CERP, ADHA, NDHA, AGD, ADSA, AHA, AMA, ACCME, NBCDLT, VA
Indiana Dentist CE Requirements
Indiana State Board of Dentistry 317-234-2054
Years in Cycle
Hours in Cycle
Required Content
Approved National CE Providers
2
20
2 hours which shall cover the following:
Ethics
Professional responsibility
Indiana statutes and regulations governing licensure and practice of dentists
US ED, Council or Post-Secondary Education, NDA, ADA, AGD, NDHA, ADHA, Council on Hospital Dental Services, AMA, JCAHO, Joint Commission on Healthcare Organizations, Government agencies
Iowa Dentist CE Requirements
Iowa Dental Board 515-281-5157
Years in Cycle
Hours in Cycle
Required Content
Approved National CE Providers
2
30
CPR
Dentists treating children must complete 2 hours of training in child abuse identification and reporting in the previous 5 years
Dentists treating adults must complete 2 hours of training in dependent adult abuse identification and reporting in the previous 5 years
Dentists who treat both children and adults must complete at least 2 hours of training on the identification and reporting of abuse in children and dependent adults in the previous 5 years
Hours of continuing education credit may be obtained by attending and participating in a continuing education activity, either previously approved by the board or which otherwise meets the requirement herein and is approved by the board pursuant to sub rule 24.3(5)
Kansas Dentist CE Requirements
Kansas Dental Board 785-296-6400
Years in Cycle
Hours in Cycle
Required Content
Approved National CE Providers
2
60
Basic cardiac life support for the health care provider
2 hours in Ethics
Any college or university, ADA, NDA, ADHA, NDHA, VA and armed forces if given at a US government facility
Kentucky Dentist CE Requirements
Kentucky Board of Dentistry 502-429-7280
Years in Cycle
Hours in Cycle
Required Content
Approved National CE Providers
2
30
CPR
HIV/AIDS
1.5 CE hours per year must be in the use of the Kentucky All Schedule Prescription Electronic Reporting System, Pain Management, or Addiction Disorders (3 hours every 2 years)
Louisiana Dentist CE Requirements
Louisiana State Board of Dentistry 225-219-7330
Years in Cycle
Hours in Cycle
Required Content
Approved National CE Providers
2
40
CPR Course “C”, Basic Life support for Healthcare Providers
ADA, ADHA, AGD, NDA, CODA accredited dental programs, VA, AHA, ARC, ACCME, National dental societies and associations
Maine Dentist CE Requirements
Maine Board of Dental Practice 207-287-3333
Years in Cycle
Hours in Cycle
Required Content
Approved National CE Providers
2
40
CPR
ADA, CODA, AMA, ADA societies, ADHA and societies, AGD, ACCME
Maryland Dentist CE Requirements
Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners 410-402-8501
Years in Cycle
Hours in Cycle
Required Content
Approved National CE Providers
2
30
CPR
2 hours Infection Control
2 hours Abuse and Neglect (every other renewal period)
2 hours Proper prescribing and disposing of prescription drugs (every other renewal period)
Accredited dental and dental hygiene schools, ADA, NDA, ADHA, NDHA, AMA, Amer Hosp Assoc, AHA, ARC, American Society of Dentistry for Children, ADA societies, AGD, VA, HHS, AMA specialty societies
Massachusetts Dentist CE Requirements
Massachusetts Board of Registration in Dentistry 800-414-0168
Years in Cycle
Hours in Cycle
Required Content
Approved National CE Providers
2
40
CPR/AED, or BLS
Infection control
Michigan Dentist CE Requirements
Michigan Board of Dentistry 517-241-0199
Years in Cycle
Hours in Cycle
Required Content
Approved National CE Providers
3
60
Basic Life Support
Pain and Symptom Management
AGD, PACE, ADA, CERP, DANB, AHA (CPR Only)
Minnesota Dentist CE Requirements
Minnesota Board of Dentistry 612-617-2250
Years in Cycle
Hours in Cycle
Required Content
Approved National CE Providers
2
50
CPR
Self assessment exam (provided by the board)
Mississippi Dentist CE Requirements
Mississippi State Board of Dental Examiners 601-944-9622
Years in Cycle
Hours in Cycle
Required Content
Approved National CE Providers
2
40
CPR
ADA, AGD, NDA
Missouri Dentist CE Requirements
Missouri Dental Board 573-751-0040
Years in Cycle
Hours in Cycle
Required Content
Approved National CE Providers
2
50
CPR
ADA, ADA specialties, AGD, NDA, AMA, AOA, CODA schools, CERP, PACE, Government agencies and military, JCAHO Hospitals, ARC, AHA, CRDTS, DANB
Montana Dentist CE Requirements
Montana Board of Dentistry 406-444-6880
Years in Cycle
Hours in Cycle
Required Content
Approved National CE Providers
3
60
CPR
Nebraska Dentist CE Requirements
Nebraska Board of Dentistry 402-471-2118
Years in Cycle
Hours in Cycle
Required Content
Approved National CE Providers
2
30
CPR
Nevada Dentist CE Requirements
Nevada State Board of Dental Examiners 800-337-3926
Years in Cycle
Hours in Cycle
Required Content
Approved National CE Providers
2
40
CPR
Infection control (4 hours)
ADA, ADA societies, ADHA, ADHA societies, AGD, Any university, college or community college, Any hospital accredited by JCAHO
New Hampshire Dentist CE Requirements
New Hampshire Board of Dental Examiners 603-271-2152
Years in Cycle
Hours in Cycle
Required Content
Approved National CE Providers
2
40
BLS
ADA, AGD, ADHA, Dental schools, Hospital sponsored courses, Government health agencies and health institutions BLS0HCP courses only: ARC, NSC, ASHI
New Jersey Dentist CE Requirements
New Jersey State Board of Dentistry 973-504-6405
Years in Cycle
Hours in Cycle
Required Content
Approved National CE Providers
2
40
CPR
New Mexico Dentist CE Requirements
New Mexico Board of Dental Health Care 505-476-4622
Years in Cycle
Hours in Cycle
Required Content
Approved National CE Providers
3
60
CPR
Infection Control
Pain Management (3 hours)
US ED, ACCME
New York Dentist CE Requirements
New York State Board for Dentistry 518-474-3817, ext. 550
Years in Cycle
Hours in Cycle
Required Content
Approved National CE Providers
3
60
2 hrs: chemical and related effects and usage of tobacco and tobacco products;
3 hours: dental jurisprudence and ethics, laws and regulations
CERP
North Carolina Dentist CE Requirements
North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners 919-678-8223
Years in Cycle
Hours in Cycle
Required Content
Approved National CE Providers
1
15
1 hour shall consist of a course designed to address prescribing practices, including instruction on controlled substance prescribing practices and controlled substance prescribing for chronic pain management
Courses to maintain CPR certification shall not count toward CE hours
CERP, AGD, national associations
North Dakota Dentist CE Requirements
North Dakota Board of Dental Examiners 701-258-8600
Years in Cycle
Hours in Cycle
Required Content
Approved National CE Providers
2 hours of ethics or jurisprudence. Passing the laws and rules examination is the equivalent of 2 hours of ethics or jurisprudence
2 hours of infection control
CPR
Ohio Dentist CE Requirements
Ohio State Dental Board 614-466-2580
Years in Cycle
Hours in Cycle
Required Content
Approved National CE Providers
2
40
ADA, NDA, ADHA, NDHA, AGD, JCAHO accredited colleges and universities
Oklahoma Dentist CE Requirements
Oklahoma State Board of Dentistry 405-522-4844
Years in Cycle
Hours in Cycle
Required Content
Approved National CE Providers
3
60
CPR and Ethics
Oregon Dentist CE Requirements
Oregon Board of Dentistry 971-673-3200
Years in Cycle
Hours in Cycle
Required Content
Approved National CE Providers
2
40
3 hours must be related to medical emergencies in a dental office
All dentists licensed by the Oregon Board of Dentistry will complete a one-hour pain management course specific to Oregon provided by the Pain Management Commission of the Oregon health Authority
2 hours Infection Control
Pennsylvania Dentist CE Requirements
Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry 717-783-7162
Years in Cycle
Hours in Cycle
Required Content
Approved National CE Providers
2
30
Basic Life Support
CERP, ADA specialty associations, ADA, ADAA, NDA, NDHA, AMA, AOMA, ANA, AGD, VA, NIH, US HHS, US military services
Rhode Island Dentist CE Requirements
Rhode Island Board of Examiners in Dentistry 401-222-2828
Years in Cycle
Hours in Cycle
Required Content
Approved National CE Providers
2
40
1 hour training on OSHA’s Blood borne Pathogen Standards
Basic Cardiac Life Support
South Carolina Dentist CE Requirements
South Carolina Board of Dentistry 803-896-4599
Years in Cycle
Hours in Cycle
Required Content
Approved National CE Providers
2
28
CPR (every 3 years)
Sterilization and Infection Control (2 hours)
ADA, ADHA, AGD, ADAA, NADL, ADA specialties, ADA accredited dental schools
South Dakota Dentist CE Requirements
South Dakota State Board of Dentistry 605-224-1282
Years in Cycle
Hours in Cycle
Required Content
Approved National CE Providers
5
100
CPR
CODA
Tennessee Dentist CE Requirements
Tennessee Board of Dentistry 615-532-5073
Years in Cycle
Hours in Cycle
Required Content
Approved National CE Providers
2
40
CPR
Chemical Dependency (2 hours)
ADA, AGD, ADHA, NDA, NDHA, ADAA, FEMA
CPR only: ARC, AHA
Texas Dentist CE Requirements
Texas State Board of Dental Examiners 512-463-6400
Years in Cycle
Hours in Cycle
Required Content
Approved National CE Providers
1
12
CPR
Every 3 years must pass jurisprudence exam
CERP, ADA, AGD, ADHA, AMA, NDA, NDHA, SMS, AOA, WREB, AADH, ADEA, AHA, DANB
Utah Dentist CE Requirements
Utah Dentist and Dental Hygienist Licensing Board 801-530-6628
Years in Cycle
Hours in Cycle
Required Content
Approved National CE Providers
2
30
CPR
ADA, ADHA, government agencies, professional associations and societies, recognized schools
Vermont Dentist CE Requirements
Vermont Board of Dental Examiners 802-828-2390
Years in Cycle
Hours in Cycle
Required Content
Approved National CE Providers
2
30
CPR
Emergency Office Procedures
ADA, ADHA, ADAA, CODA, CERP, AGD, PACE
Virginia Dentist CE Requirements
Virginia Board of Dentistry 804-367-4538
Years in Cycle
Hours in Cycle
Required Content
Approved National CE Providers
1
15
CPR
ADA, ADHA, ADAA, ADA specialties, ACCME, AGD, US ED accredited schools, JCAHO institutions and hospitals, AHA, ARC, American Safety and Health Institute, American Cancer Society, medical schools accredited by the AMA LCME, COADA schools, DANB
Washington Dentist CE Requirements
Dental Quality Assurance Commission 360-236-4700
Years in Cycle
Hours in Cycle
Required Content
Approved National CE Providers
1
21
CPR
ADA, AGD, NDA, ADHA, NDHA, ADA specialties and branch societies
West Virginia Dentist CE Requirements
West Virginia Board of Dentistry 877-914-8266
Years in Cycle
Hours in Cycle
Required Content
Approved National CE Providers
2
35
At least 2 hours in one or more of the following: Infection Control and/or Occupational Hazards, oral effects of tobacco use, or oral effects of substance abuse
Basic Life Support
At least 3 hours of CE regarding drug diversion training and best practice prescribing of controlled substances training and training in prescribing and administration of an opioid antagonist
ADA, NDA, ADHA, NDHA, AMA, American Hospital Association, ARC, AHA, ADA societies, AGD, VA, USUS, USD HHS, DOJ agencies, study clubs
Wisconsin Dentist CE Requirements
Wisconsin Dentistry Examining Board 608-266-2112
Years in Cycle
Hours in Cycle
Required Content
Approved National CE Providers
2
30
CPR
Any
Wyoming Dentist CE Requirements
Wyoming Board of Dental Examiners 307-777-3507
Years in Cycle
Hours in Cycle
Required Content
Approved National CE Providers
1
0
CPR
