Colorado Dentist CE

How many CE hours do Colorado dentists need?

Colorado dentist CE totals 30 hours of Board-approved continuing education every 2 years, and every dentist license expires on the last day of February of even-numbered years, regardless of when it was first issued. Your next renewal is February 29, 2028. At least 15 hours must be live and interactive and at least 16 must be clinical or science-based ( Colorado Dental Board, Continuing Education ; Colorado Dental Board, Applications ). Start with the Colorado dentist and dental hygienist CE package . Looking for a different license? See Colorado dental hygienist CE .

Which CE topics are required for Colorado dentists?

Every renewal you need 1 hour of controlled substance and opioid prescribing and 2 hours of infection control covering CDC guidelines, both counted within the 30. A dentist who attests to not prescribing opioids, or who holds an equivalent national board certification, may qualify for an exemption from the prescribing hour ( Colorado Dental Board ; Colorado Dental Association ). You must also keep current BLS certification for healthcare providers, and up to 2 hours of BLS coursework count toward the 30. Dentists with a sedation or general anesthesia permit complete 17 hours of sedation and anesthesia CE on the permit's own 5-year cycle, and Colorado lets those hours count toward the 30 for the period they were earned ( 3 CCR 709-1 ). Dentists who administer vaccines to patients age 6 and older complete 2 hours of immunization administration CE each renewal under Rule 1.33, effective June 30, 2026 ( Colorado Dental Association ). DEA registrants complete the federal DEA MATE training once ( DEA MATE Act FAQ ).

Does Colorado accept AGD PACE credit?

The Board requires CE from a qualified provider and lists no single approved-sponsor roster for general dentist CE ( Colorado Dental Board ). AchieveCE is an AGD PACE approved provider (ID# 386503). Every AchieveCE course ends with a certificate of completion that lists the course, date, hours and sponsor.

Does Colorado audit dentist CE?

Yes. The Board audits compliance after each renewal period. Dentists self-attest to CE at renewal, and Colorado does not route dentist CE through CE Broker or a similar tracker. Keep your name, course dates and hours, a course synopsis and the sponsor's name for at least 4 years ( Colorado Dental Board ). 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 Colorado dentists need live CE?

Yes. At least 50 percent of your hours, which is 15 of the 30, must be live and interactive ( Colorado Dental Board ). Our online package covers the self-study portion. Add live CE through our live webinars and the Dentistry Advanced membership .

Do newly licensed Colorado dentists need CE for their first renewal?

Not if your license was issued within one year of the renewal date. A dentist licensed earlier than that owes 15 hours, half the standard total, and at least 8 of them must be clinical or science-based ( Colorado Dental Board ). New dentists also complete a one-time 1-hour jurisprudence education on the Colorado Dental Practice Act before initial licensure ( Colorado Dental Association ).

Other Colorado dental licenses: Colorado dental hygienist 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

• Colorado Dental Board, Continuing Education

• Colorado Dental Board, Applications and Forms

• Colorado Dental Board

• Code of Colorado Regulations, 3 CCR 709-1

• Colorado Dental Association, Dentist License Renewal Deadline and Requirements 2026

• Colorado Dental Association, Rulemaking Underway for the Dental Practice Act

• DEA Diversion Control Division, MATE Act Training FAQ