How many CE credits do California Registered Dental Assistants need to renew their license?

California Registered Dental Assistants must complete 25 CE Credits every every 2 years renewal cycle to maintain their license. At least 12.5 hours must be earned through live activities.

How often does a California Registered Dental Assistant license renew?

The California Registered Dental Assistant license renews on an every 2 years cycle. Specifically, your license renews on the last day of your birth month.

Is AchieveCE accredited for California Registered Dental Assistant CE?

Yes. AchieveCE is accredited by Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), and our courses are accepted toward California Registered Dental Assistant license renewal.

Does AchieveCE automatically report CE credits for California Registered Dental Assistants?

Yes. After course completion, your CE credits are automatically reported to CE Broker and AGD, typically within 24 hours.

How are AchieveCE courses delivered?

All courses are 100% online with mobile and desktop access. You can pause and resume anytime, and there are no time limits or restrictions on test attempts. Certificates are delivered instantly upon completion.

How much does AchieveCE cost for California Registered Dental Assistant CE?

The California Registered Dental Assistant CE Package is priced at $97. Individual courses and a full Registered Dental Assistant membership are also available.

California Registered Dental Assistant CE

Get Your CE Done Fast – Accredited, Affordable, and On-Demand

AGD-accredited CE courses with state-required topic coverage

Mobile ready with 24/7 access and unlimited attempts

Instant certificates and reporting to CE Broker & the Academy of General Dentistry

Trusted by dental licensing boards and compliance agencies across the nation National Accreditation: Academy of General Dentistry (AGD)

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Plans for California Registered Dental Assistant

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CA Registered Dental Assistant

CE Package

Meets state requirements

12.0 CE Credits

$167$97/year

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AGD-approved courses
AGD automatic reporting
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All state-required courses
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Standard course library
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Advanced dentistry courses

Dentistry Lite

Membership

Meets state requirements + course library

Unlimited Credits

$417$247/year

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AGD automatic reporting
Instant reporting to CE Broker
Instant certificates
All state-required courses
Unlimited course attempts
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7-day live chat & phone support
Mobile app & web access
Choose your preferred courses
Standard course library

Unlimited live webinars
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Dentistry Advanced

Membership

Meets state requirements + Course library

Unlimited Credits

Unlimited Live CE

Includes live webinars

$497$297/year

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AGD-approved courses
AGD automatic reporting
Instant reporting to CE Broker
Instant certificates
All state-required courses
Unlimited course attempts
No time limits
7-day live chat & phone support
Mobile app & web access
Choose your preferred courses
Standard course library
Unlimited live webinars
Advanced dentistry courses

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Most Helpful reviews

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I am always interested in continuing education in the areas of health, wellness, nutrition and mental health. Your course was well written, well organized and helpful in meeting state licensure requirements.

Dawn O.Nutritionist

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Very well written, easy to digest, time efficient, and straight to the point. Thank you!

Priya M.Occupational Therapist

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I appreciate the convenience of the course being online and accessible through my phone and that it directly reports to CEBroker to support mandated education requirements.

Cristina GRegistered Nurse

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I really loved this information. I was hospitalized last year for almost a month and I noticed multiple medical errors (not being hooked up to my IV multiple times, given wrong medication which caused my sodium to be very low, etc.) which lengthened my stay. I can now define those exact errors and better understand what happened to me. I hate that these medical errors are so common and I appreciate how well laid out your breakdown and categorization of them was.

Allison B.Nurse Practitioner

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I am always looking for concise ,thorough, and up to date continuing education, and this course provided exactly what I was looking for. Thank you

Ronald H.Dentist

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Enjoyed this course! It squarely met my license renewal requirement as a physician. It was well-written, and an altogether enjoyable read.

Meghan L.Physician

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State requirements for California Registered Dental Assistants

Next Renewal Date

Every 2 years, on the last day of your birth month

Total Hours Required

25 Hours

Live Hour Requirement

12.5 Live Hours

General Hours

17 General Hours

Required Courses

All Registered California Dental Assistants Need:
- 2 Hours California Infection Control
- 2 Hours California Dental Practice Act
- Up to 4 Hours Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification
Some California Dental Assistants Also Need:
- 8 Hours Board-Approved Infection Control Course — If Working as an Unlicensed Dental Assistant (One Time Only)
- 2 Hours California Dental Practice Act — If Working as an Unlicensed Dental Assistant (One Time Only)
- 12 Hours DANB CDE Requirements Annually — If Holding DANB CDA Certification (Required for DANB Certification, Not State-Mandated)

Additional information

HOW MANY CE HOURS DO CALIFORNIA DENTAL ASSISTANTS NEED?

A Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) or RDA in Extended Functions (RDAEF) needs 25 continuing education units every 2 years, renewing on a cycle tied to the licensee's own birth month. California's base, unlicensed "Dental Assistant" tier carries no license number and no recurring CE cycle at all — its obligations are one-time entry training rather than a renewing hours count. No more than 50% of an RDA/RDAEF's 25 units may come from non-live or correspondence formats, so at least 12.5 units must be earned live. Dental Board of California — Continuing Education You can take your California allowed 12 online hours through an AchieveCE RDA & RDAEF Package .

WHICH CE TOPICS ARE REQUIRED FOR CALIFORNIA DENTAL ASSISTANTS?

Every RDA and RDAEF must complete 2 Hours California Infection Control, 2 Hours California Dental Practice Act (which now includes professional ethics content), and up to 4 Hours Basic Life Support (BLS) certification requiring live, in-person skills practice. Dental Board of California — Continuing Education

An unlicensed dental assistant must instead complete a one-time 8-Hour Board-approved infection control course before performing any procedure with potential exposure to blood or saliva, plus a one-time 2-Hour California Dental Practice Act course within one year of employment — entry requirements, not recurring CE. Dental Board of California — Continuing Education

Many California dental assistants also hold Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification, which carries its own separate, annually-maintained requirement of 12 CDE credits — 1 credit Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, 2 credits Infection Prevention/Control/Safety, plus a currently-maintained CPR/BLS certification tracked outside the 12-credit count. This is a national certifying body's own requirement, not a California Board mandate. DANB — Recertification Requirements

DO NEWLY LICENSED CALIFORNIA DENTAL ASSISTANTS NEED CE FOR THEIR FIRST RENEWAL?

No. An RDA or RDAEF's first license renewal following initial licensure is exempt from the 25-unit continuing education requirement — the obligation begins with the second renewal. Dental Board of California — Continuing Education

DOES THE DENTAL BOARD OF CALIFORNIA AUDIT CE RECORDS?

Yes. The Dental Board of California conducts continuing education audits of RDAs and RDAEFs, the same as it does for dentists. RDAs and RDAEFs self-certify CE completion at renewal and must retain certificates of course completion for 3 renewal periods. Dental Board of California — Continuing Education

SOURCES

Last verified: September 9, 2026

Explore plans that meet your CE requirements

Required Courses for
California Registered Dental Assistants

All courses below included with Plans

California Dental Practice Act

2.0 CE CreditsText-based

Required

Infection Control for Dental Professionals: The California Requirement

2.0 CE CreditsText-based

Required

Live webinars for
California Registered Dental Assistants

All courses below included with Plans