New York Dentist CE

New York State dentists must complete 60 contact hours of continuing education every three years to renew their registration, with at least 42 of those hours taken in live (interactive) format and a maximum of 18 hours through self-study. Dentists must also maintain current CPR certification at all times and complete NYSED-approved infection control training every four years, in addition to one-time requirements in dental jurisprudence/ethics (3 hours) and tobacco oral health effects (2 hours). The triennial renewal fee is $287, comprising a $242 registration fee and a $45 mandatory CE fee. Full details are available from the NYSED Office of the Professions Dentist CE Q&A and Education Law Article 133 .

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First-time renewal: Dentists are exempt from the mandatory continuing education requirement for the triennial registration period during which they are first licensed New York State Education Department , unless they obtained their license through endorsement of a license from another jurisdiction, in which case CE is required from the first registration period forward. Shortened transitional registration periods (to align with birth month) have prorated CE hour requirements calculated at 1.667 hours per month. ( NYSED Dentist CE Q&A )

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Sedation: A licensed dentist may not employ conscious (moderate) sedation, deep sedation, or general anesthesia outside of a general hospital unless they possess a dental anesthesia certificate issued by NYSED. New York State Education Department These certificates are issued for three-year terms and require 12 clock hours of CE in anesthesia/sedation techniques for renewal, plus current ACLS (or PALS) and BLS documentation. Sedation CE hours may count toward the 60-hour general CE requirement if they otherwise qualify. ( Part 61 Regulations ; Anesthesia/Sedation Certification Requirements )

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Dispensing / Electronic Prescribing: Since March 27, 2016, all prescriptions issued in New York State must be electronic prescriptions New York State Education Department , with limited exceptions (waiver from the Commissioner of Health, impracticality for patient, or out-of-state pharmacy). Dentists who prescribe must comply with this e-prescribing mandate for both controlled and non-controlled substances. ( NYSED Mandatory Prescriber Education – Dentistry )

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Child Abuse Identification & Reporting: Education Law requires dentists, when applying initially for licensure or a limited permit, to provide documentation of having completed two hours of coursework or training regarding the identification and reporting of child abuse and maltreatment. Office of the Professions This is a one-time requirement at initial licensure, not a recurring renewal mandate. Graduates of NYSED-registered dental programs after the effective date satisfy this through their education. An exemption may be available for practitioners whose practice excludes contact with minors or residents of residential care facilities. Recent legislative amendments (Chapter 56 of 2021 and Chapter 25 of 2024) have added content on implicit bias, adverse childhood experiences, virtual interaction signs, and identifying abuse in children with intellectual/developmental disabilities. ( NYSED Mandated Training – Child Abuse )

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Infection Control: Dentists must complete NYSED-approved infection control coursework every four years, or qualify for an exemption. This is a mandated training requirement separate from (but countable toward) the 60-hour CE requirement. A list of approved providers is maintained by NYSED. ( NYSED Mandated Training – Infection Control ; NYSED Dentist CE Q&A )

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Opioid / Pain Management (Mandatory Prescriber Education): Dentists licensed in New York who hold a DEA registration number to prescribe controlled substances are required to complete at least 3 hours of coursework or training in pain management, palliative care, and addiction every three years New York State Education Department , pursuant to Public Health Law §3309-a(3). This requirement is administered by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), not NYSED. These hours may be counted toward the 60-hour CE requirement if they meet all other CE criteria. ( NYSED Mandatory Prescriber Education – Dentistry )