Dentists · California · Continuing education
California Dental CE Requirements for Dentists (2026)
01 In short
- DDS/DMD50 units every 2 years, including 2 h opioid prescribing & pain management, 2 h infection control, 2 h state laws & rules (jurisprudence); renewal by the end of your birth month.
Official source: the state licensing board · checked Oct 28, 2026
02 Calculator
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03 Requirements
California DDS/DMD CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 50units
- Renewal cycle
- 2 years
- Deadline
- Birth month
- Reporting
- Attestation
- Renewal deadline
- By the end of your birth month
- Accepted credit
- Courses from a Board Registered CE Provider, ADA CERP or AGD PACE providers (individual courses are not approved by the Board); out-of-state courses by other providers only after Board approval
- Online limit
- 50% of hours
- New licensees
- Dentists renewing for the first time are exempt from CE.
- Audits & records
- Random CE audits since 2009; keep course certificates for three renewal periods. Shortfall can lead to a citation and fine.
- Renew online
- www.breeze.ca.gov ↗
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Opioid prescribing & pain managementResponsibilities and Requirements of Prescribing Schedule II Opioids, from a Board-approved mandatory course provider | 2 | every renewal |
| Infection controlCalifornia Infection Control course from a Board-approved mandatory course provider | 2 | every renewal |
| State laws & rules (jurisprudence)California Dental Practice Act course from a Board-approved mandatory course provider | 2 | every renewal |
| CPR / Basic Life Support certificationLive BLS with skills session (AHA, Red Cross, ASHI, CERP or PACE); max 4 units count | — | every renewal |
Alternatives & exemptions. Retired dentists in uncompensated practice only: 30 units including the mandatory courses (16 CCR 1017(u)).
Good to know. Max 50% non-live/correspondence (live webinars count as live); max 8 units per day. BLS (AHA, Red Cross, ASHI, CERP or PACE; live skills session, max 4 units) is mandatory. Permits need extra units: GA 24, moderate sedation 15, oral conscious sedation 7. License expires the last day of the birth month, even/odd year per birth year.
Source: www.dbc.ca.gov · Title 16, California Code of Regulations, Sections 1015, 1016 and 1017; Business and Professions Code § 1715 · checked Oct 28, 2026
04 Conferences in California
05 Questions
Which CE courses count for dentists in California?
Courses from a Board Registered CE Provider, ADA CERP or AGD PACE providers (individual courses are not approved by the Board); out-of-state courses by other providers only after Board approval.
How many CE hours do dentists need in California?
50 units every 2 years.
How do I verify a dentist license in California?
Use the license lookup of the Dental Board of California (dbc.ca.gov); the board's own record is the primary source. CE status itself is checked by the board at renewal.
Which CE topics are mandatory for dentists in California?
Opioid prescribing & pain management — 2 h (every renewal); Infection control — 2 h (every renewal); State laws & rules (jurisprudence) — 2 h (every renewal); CPR / Basic Life Support certification (every renewal).
When is the renewal deadline for dentists in California?
Licenses renew by the end of your birth month (2 years cycle).