Continuing education requirements by state
CE is required for dental license renewal in every U.S. state. Hours per cycle, the license types covered, and the reporting method all vary by board. Select a state below for its specific requirements.
About these requirements
State dental boards set CE requirements as a condition of license renewal. The hours required, the cycle length, and which license types are covered all differ by state. Requirements often differ for dentists versus hygienists, and some boards mandate specific subject matter — infection control, opioid prescribing, or ethics, for example — within the total hours.
Always verify
CE requirements change through board rulemaking. Figures shown here reflect the board's published requirements at the time each state's page was last updated. Confirm current requirements with your state board before each renewal cycle.
CE requirements — all 51 states and D.C.
Select your state below for the full continuing education requirement.
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CE Requirement Questions
How many CE hours do dentists typically need? +
There is no single national figure. Published requirements range from 15 hours per calendar year to 63 hours over three years, depending on the state. Many state boards do not publish a single clean number because requirements vary by license type or permit level. When in doubt, check directly with your state board.
Do CE requirements differ for dentists and dental hygienists? +
Frequently yes. Some states publish a specific requirement for hygienists that differs from the dentist requirement, or vice versa. Check your state's page below for the figures that apply to each license type.
What courses count toward dental CE? +
Most states accept courses from providers approved under ADA CERP (Continuing Education Recognition Program) or AGD PACE (Program Approval for Continuing Education). Some boards maintain their own approved-provider lists or accept courses from accredited dental schools and professional associations. Check your board's rules for subject-matter requirements, since many states mandate specific topics like opioid prescribing or infection control.
How do I report completed CE hours? +
Several states use CE Broker as their official CE tracking platform. Licensees create an account and link it to their license number; approved providers report completions directly. Other states use their own online renewal portals or require self-reporting with documentation kept on hand for audits. Check your state board's renewal instructions for the required submission method.
Are online CE courses accepted? +
Generally yes, but with important exceptions. Many states require that a portion of total CE hours be completed through live, interactive instruction — pre-recorded on-demand courses do not satisfy this requirement. Confirm with your board whether your chosen online provider meets its approval criteria before completing the course.
Does CE transfer between states? +
Courses from nationally recognized providers (ADA CERP, AGD PACE) are widely accepted, but each state sets its own rules on what qualifies. If you hold licenses in multiple states or are applying for licensure by endorsement in a new state, confirm that your completed CE meets the new state's requirements. Hours completed in one state do not automatically satisfy another state's renewal obligations.
Helpful Resources
State Dental Boards
Find your state's licensing board — the government agency that issues licenses and investigates complaints.
Learn more →License Requirements
See the exams, education, and application steps required to become a licensed dentist or dental hygienist in every state.
Learn more →State Dental Associations
Find contact details for your state's professional dental association, separate from the licensing board.
Learn more →License Renewal
Renewal fees, deadlines, and requirements for dentists and dental hygienists in every state.
Learn more →How to Verify a License
Verify a dentist's or hygienist's license status using each state board's official lookup tool.
Learn more →How to File a Complaint
Step-by-step guidance on filing a complaint against a dentist or hygienist with your state dental board.
Learn more →Disciplinary Actions
How state dental boards investigate and discipline dentists, and how to check a practitioner's public record.
Learn more →Dental Specialties
The 12 recognized dental specialties explained, from orthodontics to oral surgery, and how specialty licensing works.
Learn more →CE requirements change often
CE requirements change through board rulemaking, and some boards set different hour totals for dentists and hygienists. Figures shown here reflect each board's published requirements at the time the state's page was last updated — confirm current requirements with your state board before each renewal cycle.