District of Columbia Dental Hygienist CE

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

District of Columbia dental hygienist CE totals 20 hours every 2 years ( 17 DCMR 4306.5 ). Seven of the 20 hours are mandated topics and the other 13 are general dental hygiene CE. Licenses now expire on the last day of your birth month, in the odd or even year that matches your birth year. DC Health moved hygienists off the old shared December 31 date, and your renewal notice shows your expiration date ( DC Health Board of Dentistry ; DC Health renewal notice ). Start with the District of Columbia dental hygienist CE package . Looking for a different license? See District of Columbia dentist CE and District of Columbia dental assistant CE .

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

Every renewal you need 2 hours of infection control , 1 hour of ethics and 2 hours of cultural competency or specialized clinical training on patients who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, such as our LGBTQ patient health course . At least 10 percent of your total, or 2 hours, must also cover public health priorities set by the DC Health Director. The current list includes sexual and reproductive health, chronic disease management, One Health, workforce retention, and community and patient safety ( Director's Public Health Priorities ). Our Preventing Common Dental Medical Errors course covers patient safety. You must also hold current CPR certification for healthcare providers at the basic level ( 17 DCMR 4306.5 ). A hygienist seeking authorization to administer local anesthesia or nitrous oxide completes a one-time program of 20 didactic and 12 clinical hours from an ADA-accredited program and passes a written exam ( 17 DCMR 4311 ). Our Pharmacology of Local Anesthetics and Sedation for the Dental Office course is a related 4-hour refresher and does not replace that program. Controlled substance CE and DEA MATE training do not apply to hygienists.

Does District of Columbia accept AGD PACE credit?

The District requires approved continuing education, and the registrant is responsible for confirming that a program qualifies ( 17 DCMR 4306 ). AchieveCE is an AGD PACE approved provider (ID# 386503). Confirm with the Board of Dentistry before you enroll.

Does the District of Columbia Board of Dentistry audit CE?

The Board checks your CE against the documentation list in the rule: the sponsor's name and address, the program name and subject, dates attended, hours claimed, and the sponsor's signature or stamp ( 17 DCMR 4306.10 ). Keep every certificate with those details and be ready to submit it with your renewal or when the Board asks. 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 District of Columbia dental hygienists need live CE?

No. DC allows the full 20 hours to be completed through approved internet courses ( 17 DCMR 4306.15 ; DC Health renewal notice ). You can complete all 20 hours online with the District of Columbia dental hygienist CE package . Only your CPR certification needs a hands-on class.

Do newly licensed District of Columbia dental hygienists need CE for their first renewal?

No. The first renewal after an initial license by examination or endorsement is exempt from continuing education. The full 20 hours apply from your second renewal ( 17 DCMR 4306.2 ).

Other District of Columbia dental licenses: District of Columbia dentist CE and District of Columbia dental assistant 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 43, Dental Hygiene

• 17 DCMR Chapter 43, consolidated text effective April 9, 2021

• DC Health, Board of Dentistry

• DC Health, Director's Public Health Priorities for Continuing Education

• DC Health, Dental Hygienist Renewal Notification (2025)