Maine Dental Hygienist CE

How many CE hours do Maine dental hygienists need?

Maine dental hygienist CE totals 30 hours every 2 years. Hygienist licenses renew on a fixed date, December 31 of every even-numbered year, so the next renewal is December 31, 2026 ( Maine Board Rule Chapter 13 ; Maine Board of Dental Practice ). That is the opposite year from the Maine dentist license, which renews in odd-numbered years. Maine sets no live or in-person minimum. Up to 10 hours combined may come from capped activities such as teaching, writing, pre-recorded audio or video, independent study, and reading with an exit exam ( Chapter 13, Section II(B) ). Online courses and webinars with a passed exit exam are not part of that cap. Finish all 30 hours with the Maine dental hygienist CE package .

Which CE topics are required for Maine dental hygienists?

Maine names no required CE topic for dental hygienists beyond current BLS certification for healthcare providers, with a hands-on instructor component. Online-only BLS is not accepted, and up to 3 hours of BLS may count toward the 30. Up to 6 hours of ACLS or PALS certification may also count ( Maine Board Rule Chapter 13 ). A hygienist who administers nitrous oxide analgesia completes a Board-approved course and passes an exam first, then administers only by titration, up to 50% concentration, under a dentist's direct supervision. A hygienist who administers local anesthesia completes a Board-approved course and exam and practices under direct supervision too ( 32 M.R.S. §18345 ). Both are one-time steps. Maine also licenses Independent Practice, Public Health and Dental Hygiene Therapist authorities, which add no separate CE mandate beyond the standard 30 hours and BLS ( Maine License Types ). The dentist sedation permit CE does not apply to hygienists, because only a dentist may hold a sedation or general anesthesia permit ( 32 M.R.S. §18379 ; §18371 ; §18375 ; §18376 ).

Does Maine accept AGD PACE credit?

Yes. Chapter 13 accepts CE from providers accredited, approved or recognized by the Academy of General Dentistry's Program Approval for Continuing Education (PACE), the American Dental Association's continuing education recognition program and the American Dental Hygienists' Association, among others ( Maine Board Rule Chapter 13 ). AchieveCE is an AGD PACE approved provider (ID# 386503).

Does Maine audit dental hygienist CE?

Yes. The Board selects renewal applicants at random for CE audit, and may also audit during an investigation or when it believes a licensee falsely certified completion ( Chapter 13, Section V ). Keep documentation of every CE hour earned in the most recent license term for 2 years after renewal. Maine does not use CE Broker or a similar tracking platform for dental hygienists, so you keep your own records. 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.

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

Yes, but only half. A hygienist renewing for the first time completes 15 of the 30 hours plus current BLS certification ( Chapter 13, Section VIII ).

Other Maine dental licenses: Maine dentist 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

• Maine Board of Dental Practice, Adopted Rules (Chapter 13, Continuing Education)

• Maine Board of Dental Practice, Chapter 13 current copy

• Maine Board of Dental Practice, License Types

• Maine Board of Dental Practice, Statutes and Rules

• 32 M.R.S. §18345, Dental Hygienist Licensing and Additional Authorities

• 32 M.R.S. §18371, Dentist Scope of Practice

• 32 M.R.S. §18379, Sedation and General Anesthesia Permits

• Maine Board of Dental Practice