North Carolina Dentist CE

How many CE hours do North Carolina dentists need?

North Carolina dentist CE totals 15 clock hours of continuing education every calendar year, due on a single fixed statewide date of January 31 rather than an individual birth-month cycle ( North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners ; 21 NCAC 16R .0201 ). Coursework must relate to clinical patient care, so financial and practice-management topics do not count. Finish all 15 online with the North Carolina dentist CE package . Also see North Carolina dental hygienist CE .

Which CE topics are required for North Carolina dentists?

Every dentist completes 1 hour of substance abuse and mental health CE every 2 calendar years, counted within the 15 hours ( 21 NCAC 16R .0206 ). A dentist first licensed to practice general dentistry on or after January 1, 2019 also completes a one-time 6-hour professionalism and ethics course in the first compliance year, counted within the 15 hours ( 21 NCAC 16R .0201(c) ). Current CPR certification is a standing condition that does not count toward your hours. A dentist who prescribes controlled substances completes 1 hour a year of controlled substance prescribing CE ( 21 NCAC 16R .0201(b) ). A dentist with a DEA registration completes the federal DEA MATE training once ( DEA MATE Act FAQ ).

Which CE do sedation and anesthesia permit holders need?

Holders of a General Anesthesia, Moderate Conscious Sedation or Moderate Pediatric Conscious Sedation permit complete 6 hours of Board-approved sedation CE every year ( 21 NCAC 16Q ). A newly adopted rule, 21 NCAC 16Q .0105, adds a Board-approved 6-hour update course once every 2 years. It counts toward the annual sedation CE and does not add hours, and its own text points to a January 1, 2027 start ( Board rulemaking notice ). Minimal Conscious Sedation permit holders complete 3 hours a year and are not subject to the update course. Our sedation protocols and local anesthetic and sedation pharmacology courses cover related topics.

Does North Carolina accept AGD PACE credit?

North Carolina requires CE from a Board-approved sponsor ( 21 NCAC 16R ). AchieveCE is an AGD PACE approved provider (ID# 386503). AGD PACE approval does not imply acceptance by any regulatory authority or AGD endorsement. 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 dentist CE?

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

No. North Carolina sets no live or in-person minimum, so any or all of the 15 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 15 hours online.

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

Yes, in one respect. A dentist first licensed to practice general dentistry on or after January 1, 2019 completes the one-time 6-hour professionalism and ethics course in the first compliance year. North Carolina does not reduce or prorate the 15 hours for a first renewal ( 21 NCAC 16R .0201(c) ).

Other North Carolina dental licenses: North Carolina dental hygienist CE . Try Free dental CE before you buy, and browse every state and license in our CE course finder .

Last verified: September 26, 2026

Sources

• North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners, Continuing Education

• 21 NCAC 16R, Annual Renewal of License and Continuing Education

• 21 NCAC 16Q, General Anesthesia and Sedation Permits

• North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners, Notice of Text and Adopted Sedation Update Course Rules (July 11, 2025)

• DEA Diversion Control Division, MATE Act Training FAQ