District of Columbia Dental Assistant CE

How many CE hours do District of Columbia dental assistants need?

District of Columbia dental assistant CE totals 10 hours every 2 years, and the registration is due December 31 of every odd-numbered year. Your next renewal is December 31, 2027 ( 17 DCMR § 9007.8 ; 17 DCMR § 9002.1 ). The requirement is the same at every registration level, Level I, II or III, and applies to renewal, reactivation and reinstatement ( 17 DCMR § 9007.1 ). Start with the District of Columbia dental assistant CE package , then see District of Columbia dental hygienist CE and District of Columbia dentist CE .

Which CE topics are required for District of Columbia dental assistants?

Every renewal you need 2 hours of basic life support (BLS), 2 hours of infection control , 1 hour of ethics and 2 hours of cultural competency or specialized clinical training on LGBTQ patients, such as our LGBTQ patient health course ( 17 DCMR § 9007.8(a) ). At least 10 percent of your total, or 1 hour, must also cover public health priority topics the Director sets and publishes in the D.C. Register. These hours are counted within the 10, not added to them. Assistants who hold DANB Certified Dental Assistant certification owe a separate DANB requirement of 12 CDE credits a year, which is a national certification rule and not a District mandate ( DANB Recertification Requirements ).

Does District of Columbia accept AGD PACE credit?

A continuing education credit is valid only if it is part of a program approved by the Board, and the registrant carries the burden of checking that a program is approved before attending. A credit is at least 60 minutes of instruction ( 17 DCMR § 9007.3 to 9007.5 ). AchieveCE is an AGD PACE approved provider (ID# 386503). Confirm Board approval with the Board of Dentistry before you enroll.

Do District of Columbia dental assistants need live CE?

Yes. No more than 5 of your 10 hours may come from approved internet courses in a renewal period, so at least 5 hours must be live or in person ( 17 DCMR § 9007.6 ). Our online package covers the 5 hours the District allows online. Add live hours through our live webinars or an in-person class.

Do new District of Columbia dental assistants need CE for their first renewal?

No. The continuing education requirement does not apply to the first renewal of a dental assistant registration ( 17 DCMR § 9007.2 ). The full 10 hours apply from your second renewal.

Does the District of Columbia Board of Dentistry audit CE?

Yes. You attest to your hours at renewal and submit proof only if you are selected in a random audit or the Board asks ( 17 DCMR § 9007.11 ). 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.

Other District of Columbia dental licenses: District of Columbia dentist CE and District of Columbia dental hygienist CE . Try Free dental CE before you buy, and browse every state and license in our CE course finder .

Last verified: October 25, 2026

Sources

• 17 DCMR Chapter 90, Dental Assistants (as of March 1, 2024)

• DC Health, Board of Dentistry

• DANB, Recertification Requirements