North Carolina Dental Hygienist CE

How many CE hours do North Carolina dental hygienists need?

North Carolina dental hygienist CE totals 6 clock hours of continuing education every calendar year, due on the same fixed January 31 statewide date as the dentist license ( North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners ; 21 NCAC 16I ). Coursework must relate to clinical patient care. Finish all 6 online with the North Carolina dental hygienist CE package . Looking for a different license? See North Carolina dentist CE .

Which CE topics are required for North Carolina dental hygienists?

Every hygienist completes 1 hour of substance abuse and mental health CE every 2 calendar years, counted within the 6 hours ( 21 NCAC 16I .0206 ). Current CPR certification is a standing condition that does not count toward your hours, and the Board requires a hands-on or blended course with in-person manikin testing, so online-only CPR is not accepted ( North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners ). A hygienist certified to administer local anesthesia completes 2 hours a year on local anesthetic technique and related medical emergencies, counted within the 6 hours ( G.S. 90-225.3 ). A hygienist practicing as a Public Health or Limited Supervision Hygienist completes 6 additional hours a year of medical office emergencies CE ( 21 NCAC 16W .0102 ; 21 NCAC 16Z .0101 ). Sedation and general anesthesia permit CE applies to dentists only.

Does North Carolina accept AGD PACE credit?

North Carolina requires CE from a Board-approved sponsor ( 21 NCAC 16I ). AchieveCE is an AGD PACE approved provider (ID# 386503). Confirm that a specific course qualifies with the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners , and contact us if you need the AGD PACE details for your records.

Does North Carolina audit dental hygienist CE?

Yes. Hygienists report completed CE hours on the annual renewal application, and the Board audits compliance from those records. Keep your course title, instructional hours, course date, instructor and sponsor for at least 2 years and produce them on request ( 21 NCAC 16I ). North Carolina does not use CE Broker for hygienists. 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 North Carolina dental hygienists need live CE?

No. North Carolina sets no live or in-person minimum, so any or all of the 6 hours can be self-study, as long as the course comes from a Board-approved sponsor and you pass the sponsor's test. That means you can finish all 6 hours online.

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

Yes. North Carolina does not reduce or prorate the 6 hours for a hygienist's first renewal, so the standard amount applies starting with the first renewal ( 21 NCAC 16I ).

Other North Carolina dental licenses: North Carolina 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

• North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners, Continuing Education

• 21 NCAC 16I, Annual Renewal of Dental Hygienist License and Continuing Education

• G.S. 90-225.3, Dental Hygienists and Local Anesthesia

• 21 NCAC 16W .0102, Public Health Hygienists

• 21 NCAC 16Z .0101, Limited Supervision Hygienists