Connecticut Dental Hygienist CE

How many CE hours do Connecticut dental hygienists need?

Connecticut dental hygienist CE totals 16 contact hours within the 24 months before each renewal. Hygienist licenses renew every year on the last day of your birth month, and the Department of Public Health looks back 24 months at each renewal ( Conn. Gen. Stat. § 20-126l ; Connecticut DPH ). Two of the 16 hours are mandatory topics and the other 14 are general dental hygiene CE. Up to 5 of the 16 hours can be earned through volunteer dental practice at a public health facility, at 8 volunteer hours for each contact hour. Start with the Connecticut dental hygienist CE package . Looking for a different license? See Connecticut dentist CE .

Which CE topics are required for Connecticut dental hygienists?

Every renewal you need 1 hour of infection control in a dental setting and 1 hour of cultural competency ( Conn. Gen. Stat. § 20-126l ). A hygienist practicing as a dental therapist under a collaborative agreement completes 6 hours of dental therapy CE within the first 12 months of the agreement and in each 24-month period after, in addition to the 16 hours ( Conn. Gen. Stat. § 20-126y ). A hygienist who administers local anesthesia (infiltration and mandibular blocks, under a dentist's indirect supervision) completes a course from a program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, with 20 hours of didactic and 8 hours of clinical training. Our Pharmacology of Local Anesthetics and Sedation for the Dental Office course is a related 4-hour refresher and does not replace that program ( Connecticut DPH ). Connecticut hygienists do not hold DEA registrations, so the federal DEA MATE training does not apply.

Does Connecticut accept AGD PACE credit?

Yes. The Department lists the AGD among accepted CE providers, along with CODA-accredited schools, the ADA and ADHA and their affiliates ( Connecticut DPH ). AchieveCE is an AGD PACE approved provider (ID# 386503).

Does Connecticut audit dental hygienist CE?

Connecticut hygienists sign a statement at renewal attesting that they completed their CE and do not mail certificates. Keep your certificates or attendance records for at least 3 years following the date the CE was completed or the license was renewed, and send them within 45 days if the Department asks ( Conn. Gen. Stat. § 20-126l ). Failure to comply can lead to discipline. 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 Connecticut dental hygienists need live CE?

No. Connecticut removed its former 4-hour cap on online and distance learning in 2020 (Public Act 19-72), and the Department accepts online courses with no limit ( Connecticut DPH ). You can complete all 16 hours online with the Connecticut dental hygienist CE package .

Do newly licensed Connecticut dental hygienists need CE for their first renewal?

Yes. The 16-hour requirement is not waived for a first renewal. The only first-time exemption is the signed attestation statement ( Conn. Gen. Stat. § 20-126l ). A hygienist reinstating a void license needs 24 contact hours completed in the 2 years before applying. If the license has been void for more than 2 years, the Department instead asks for a passing national or regional board exam result, or an approved refresher course.

Other Connecticut dental licenses: Connecticut dentist 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

• Connecticut DPH, Dental Hygienist Continuing Education

• Conn. Gen. Stat. § 20-126l, Dental Hygienists

• Conn. Gen. Stat. § 20-126y, Dental Therapy Continuing Education

• Connecticut DPH, Dental Hygienists Administering Dental Anesthesia

• Connecticut DPH, License Types that Expire Biennially

• Connecticut State Dental Commission