Big change: Alabama no longer requires any live or in-person CE. The new rule sets no in-person minimum, so dentists and dental hygienists can complete 100% of their continuing education online. That is a major shift from the old rule, and it makes renewal faster and cheaper.
Alabama replaced its dental continuing education rule. Rule 270-X-4-.04, "Mandatory Continuing Education For Dentists And Dental Hygienists," was repealed and rewritten by the Board of Dental Examiners of Alabama and took effect on October 15, 2026. It applies to the renewal cycle that began October 1, 2026. Dentists need 20 CEUs and dental hygienists need 12 CEUs for each 12-month period of the cycle. Here is what changed, why, and how to finish on time.
Renewing in Alabama? Finish everything online with the Alabama Dentists Online CE Package or the Alabama Dental Hygienist Online CE Package. Both include the mandated topics and report to CE Broker within 24 business hours.
When did the Alabama dental CE rule change?
The Board moved quickly through the rulemaking process in 2026:
April 29, 2026: the Board certified the proposed rule, describing its purpose as modernizing the Board's continuing education rule.
July 10, 2026: the public comment period closed.
August 31, 2026: the final rule was published.
October 15, 2026: the new rule took effect, replacing the previous version entirely.
October 1, 2026: the renewal cycle the rule applies to, and every cycle after it.
The full text is on the Alabama Administrative Code site, and the Board keeps a continuing education page for licensees.
Why did Alabama change the rule?
The Board stated the goal plainly: to modernize its continuing education rule. The text of the new rule shows what that means in practice:
One place to track CE. Every licensee must now hold an account on a Board-approved online CE platform and upload proof of each course there.
A clear definition of a CEU. One CEU is one hour of documented, approved CE related to your practice of dentistry.
Consistent documentation. Your proof must show your name, the completion date, the course title, location, number of CEUs, the instructor and the CE organization.
A defined audit process. The rule sets deadlines for producing records and for the Board to report audit results.
Flexible delivery. The rule accepts entirely self-study courses as long as they include a post-course assessment.
What Alabama dentists need under Rule 270-X-4-.04
Dentists complete 20 CEUs for each 12-month period of the renewal cycle, calculated proportionally if your cycle is longer or shorter. Within those 20 CEUs:
1 CEU in prescribing controlled substances. Our controlled substance prescriptions in dentistry course covers it.
1 CEU in ethics. The rule lists human trafficking, proper billing and abuse reporting as examples. See our ethics course for dental professionals.
1 CEU in infectious disease control. Our infection control update for dentistry fits.
Current BLS certification with a hands-on portion, which earns 2 CEUs every two years.
If you hold an active sedation permit: current ACLS certification (PALS for a declared pediatric specialty), which earns up to 4 CEUs every two years, plus at least 1 CEU in sedation or anesthesia.
If you hold a DEA registration, the federal DEA MATE training is a separate one-time 8-hour requirement. See the full breakdown on our Alabama dentist CE requirements page.
What Alabama dental hygienists need under Rule 270-X-4-.04
Dental hygienists complete 12 CEUs for each 12-month period of the renewal cycle. Within those 12 CEUs:
1 CEU in ethics. Start with our ethics course.
1 CEU in infectious disease control. Our infection control update covers it.
Current BLS certification with a hands-on portion, which earns 2 CEUs every two years.
Hygienists do not have a controlled substance prescribing requirement under this rule. See the Alabama dental hygienist CE requirements page for the complete list.
What counts toward your CEUs
The rule lets some activities count within your total, with caps:
Pro bono dental service: 1 CEU per 2 hours, up to 4 CEUs per cycle, with documentation of the date, location, entity and a verifiable contact.
Teaching approved CE: 1 CEU per hour, up to 6 CEUs for dentists and 4 CEUs for hygienists.
Attending a Board meeting in person: up to 2 CEUs for at least 2 hours of attendance.
Insurance, governmental regulations, risk management, tort liability or practice management: up to 3 CEUs.
Daily limit: no more than 8 CEUs per calendar day.
How the new rule makes CE easier for licensees
No in-person minimum. You can earn all of your CEUs online and on your schedule. Only your BLS certification, and ACLS for sedation permit holders, need a hands-on portion.
Self-study is accepted. An online course counts as long as it ends with an assessment, and every AchieveCE course ends with a post-test with unlimited attempts.
One account for your records. You upload proof once to the Board's platform instead of mailing paperwork.
A predictable audit. You have 14 days to produce records, and the Board reports results within 30 days.
Credit for what you already do. BLS, ACLS, pro bono work and teaching can all count toward your total.
Records, audits and what happens if you miss CE
Keep your CE records for the current renewal cycle and the previous five years. The Board may randomly audit licensees for the immediately preceding cycle, and you must produce any requested documentation within 14 days of a written request. Results come in writing within 30 days of the audit finishing. A licensee who does not comply may face disciplinary action or a non-disciplinary administrative penalty under Rule 270-X-5-.09. For tips on staying ready, read what to do when you're audited by the state board.
Who is exempt, and what about reinstatement?
Dentists enrolled full time in a CODA-accredited post-graduate specialty or residency program for at least six months of the cycle are exempt, and so are hygienists enrolled full time in a related academic program for at least six months. In both cases you upload your enrollment documentation to the Board's platform. The Board can also approve a written waiver or extension, but the request must reach the Board before the cycle ends. To reinstate an expired or suspended license, you show CE for up to the last five years.
How to complete your Alabama dental CE with AchieveCE
AchieveCE is an AGD PACE approved provider (ID# 386503), and every course gives you an instant certificate. AGD PACE approval does not imply acceptance by any regulatory authority or AGD endorsement, and Rule 270-X-4-.04 does not name AGD PACE, so confirm any course you are unsure about with the Board. We report your completions to CE Broker within 24 business hours so your record is ready in the Board's system.
Dentists: the Alabama Dentists Online CE Package bundles the mandated topics with the rest of your 20 CEUs.
Dental hygienists: the Alabama Dental Hygienist Online CE Package covers the mandated topics and your 12 CEUs.
Want to try us first? Look up any other state in the CE course finder. For how reporting works, see our guide to CE Broker. Our support team is on live chat, email, and phone, 7 days a week.
Last verified: October 21, 2026. Source: Ala. Admin. Code r. 270-X-4-.04, Board of Dental Examiners of Alabama.
Frequently asked questions
What is Alabama Rule 270-X-4-.04?
It is the Board of Dental Examiners of Alabama rule on mandatory continuing education for dentists and dental hygienists. A new version took effect October 15, 2026 and applies to the renewal cycle that began October 1, 2026.
How many CE hours do Alabama dentists and dental hygienists need?
Dentists need 20 CEUs and dental hygienists need 12 CEUs for each 12-month period of the renewal cycle, calculated proportionally if the cycle is longer or shorter.
Can Alabama dentists and hygienists complete all CE online?
Yes. The new rule sets no in-person minimum. Self-study courses count if they include a post-course assessment. BLS certification, and ACLS for sedation permit holders, still need a hands-on portion.
Which CE topics are required under the new Alabama rule?
Dentists need at least 1 CEU each in prescribing controlled substances, ethics and infectious disease control. Hygienists need at least 1 CEU each in ethics and infectious disease control.
How long do I keep Alabama dental CE records?
Keep records for the current renewal cycle and the previous 5 years. If the Board audits you, you must produce documentation within 14 days of the written request.
What happens if I do not complete my Alabama dental CE?
A licensee who does not comply may face disciplinary action or a non-disciplinary administrative penalty under Board Rule 270-X-5-.09.
Does AchieveCE report my Alabama CE to CE Broker?
Yes. AchieveCE reports completed courses to CE Broker within 24 business hours. Your certificate is available the moment you finish a course.
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