District of Columbia Dentist CE

How many CE hours do District of Columbia dentists need?

District of Columbia dentist CE totals 30 hours every 2 years ( 17 DCMR Chapter 42 ). Eight of the 30 hours are mandated topics and the other 22 are general dental CE. Licenses expire on the last day of your birth month, in the odd or even year that matches your birth year. DC Health moved dentists off the old shared December 31 date, and your renewal notice shows your expiration date ( DC Health Board of Dentistry ). DC sets no live-instruction minimum, so you can earn all 30 hours online. Start with the District of Columbia dentist CE package . Looking for a different license? See District of Columbia dental hygienist CE and District of Columbia dental assistant CE .

Which CE topics are required for District of Columbia dentists?

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 3 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. A dentist who holds a DEA registration or otherwise prescribes controlled substances completes 2 hours on controlled substance prescribing and pain management . A dentist with a federal DEA registration also completes the DEA MATE training once ( DEA MATE Act FAQ ).

Do District of Columbia sedation and anesthesia certifications require extra CE?

Yes, and the hours are in addition to your 30. A dentist certified to administer moderate sedation, deep sedation or general anesthesia (Class I, II or III) completes 24 hours of sedation and anesthesia CE on that certification's own 4-year term, which runs separately from the 2-year license cycle ( 17 DCMR Chapter 107 ). Our sedation and anesthesia course covers 2 of the 24 hours, so you will need additional CE to finish.

Does District of Columbia accept AGD PACE credit?

The District requires Board-approved continuing education, and the registrant is responsible for confirming that a program qualifies ( 17 DCMR Chapter 42 ). AchieveCE is an AGD PACE approved provider (ID# 386503). Confirm with the Board of Dentistry before you enroll.

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

No. A dentist's first renewal after initial licensure by examination or endorsement is exempt from the CE requirement. The full 30 hours apply from the second renewal onward ( 17 DCMR Chapter 42 ).

Does District of Columbia audit dentist CE?

Yes. Dentists attest to completing their hours at renewal, and verification is audit-based. DC has no state tracking platform for dentistry, so you produce proof only if the Board selects you for review ( American Dental Association, District of Columbia Dentist CE Requirements ). AchieveCE reports your completions to AGD PACE within 24 business hours, and your certificate is available the moment you finish a course. Our support team is on live chat, email, and phone, 7 days a week.

Other District of Columbia dental licenses: District of Columbia dental hygienist 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 42, Dentistry

• 17 DCMR Chapter 107, Requirements for Administration of Anesthesia

• DC Health, Board of Dentistry

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

• American Dental Association, District of Columbia Dentist CE Requirements

• DEA Diversion Control Division, MATE Act Training FAQ