Arkansas Dental Hygienist CE

How many CE hours do Arkansas dental hygienists need?

Arkansas dental hygienist CE totals 40 CEUs every 2-year reporting period, and licenses renew January 1 of even-numbered years. Your next renewal is January 1, 2028, and the current reporting period runs January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2027 ( 17 CAR § 115-1404 ; Ark. Code Ann. § 17-82-310 ). One hour must be infection control and the other 39 are general hours on any topic directly related to dental services, patient care or practice management ( 17 CAR § 115-1405 ). Hygienists follow the same rule and cycle as dentists with a lower total. Hours earned beyond 40 do not carry forward ( 17 CAR § 115-1406 ). Start with the Arkansas dental hygienist CE package . Looking for a different license? See Arkansas dentist CE and Arkansas registered dental assistant CE .

Which CE topics are required for Arkansas dental hygienists?

Every reporting period you need 1 hour of infection control within the 40 ( 17 CAR § 115-1503(b) ; 17 CAR § 115-1405(e) ). The Board rule also requires every licensed hygienist to submit a copy of a current healthcare provider-level CPR card with the renewal form, with ACLS or PALS accepted ( 17 CAR § 115-1409 ). A CPR course counts toward your CE total hour for hour ( Board FAQ ). A hygienist who wants to administer local anesthesia needs a Board permit. It requires a local anesthesia course with inferior alveolar nerve block from a CODA-accredited dental or dental hygiene school, 30 supervised injections and a current healthcare provider-level life support certificate, and the permit renews with the license ( 17 CAR § 115-1602 ). Our local anesthesia pharmacology course is useful background CE but does not meet the school-sponsored course requirement.

Does Arkansas accept AGD PACE credit?

Yes. The Board accepts any course directly related to dental services, patient care or practice management, lets sponsors set the CEU value, and does not pre-approve courses ( 17 CAR § 115-1405 ). Home study courses count when they include a post-test and a certificate of completion. AchieveCE is an AGD PACE approved provider (ID# 386503). Every AchieveCE course ends with a post-test and a certificate of completion.

Does Arkansas audit dental hygienist CE?

Yes. The Board audits CE at the end of every 2-year reporting period. You submit a typed list of the hours you earned on the Board's form, signed by you, and keep your CE records for at least 3 years from the end of the reporting period ( 17 CAR § 115-1406 ). There is nothing for a third party to file for you, so keep every certificate. Your AchieveCE certificate is available the moment you finish a course, and AchieveCE reports your completions to AGD PACE within 24 business hours. Our support team is on live chat, email, and phone, 7 days a week.

Do Arkansas dental hygienists need live CE?

No. Arkansas sets no live-instruction minimum, so all 40 CEUs can come from online home study courses that include a post-test and a certificate ( 17 CAR § 115-1405(c) ). Our package covers the full requirement online. If you want live CE anyway, add our live webinars or the Dentistry Advanced membership .

Do new hygienists need CE for their first Arkansas renewal?

CE begins on January 1 of the calendar year after you are licensed. If that date falls mid-cycle, the requirement is prorated instead of the full 40 CEUs ( 17 CAR § 115-1404(d) ). Confirm your prorated figure with the Board before you renew.

Other Arkansas dental licenses: Arkansas dentist CE and Arkansas registered dental assistant CE . Try Free dental CE before you buy, and browse every state and license in our CE course finder .

Last verified: October 24, 2026

Sources

• 17 CAR § 115-1404, Minimum continuing education requirements

• 17 CAR § 115-1405, Acceptable continuing education

• 17 CAR § 115-1406, Procedure for reporting continuing education units

• 17 CAR § 115-1409, Cardiopulmonary resuscitation

• 17 CAR § 115-1503, Education and training

• 17 CAR § 115-1602, Administration of local anesthesia by a dental hygienist

• Arkansas Dental Practice Act (May 2025)

• Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners, Frequently Asked Questions

• Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners