Dentists · Colorado · Continuing education
Colorado Dental CE Requirements for Dentists (2026)
01 In short
- DDS/DMD30 hours every 2 years, including 1 h opioid prescribing & pain management, 2 h infection control; renewal on the date shown on your license.
Official source: the state licensing board · checked Oct 28, 2026
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03 Requirements
Colorado DDS/DMD CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 30hours
- Renewal cycle
- 2 years
- Deadline
- On license
- Reporting
- Attestation
- Renewal deadline
- On the date shown on your license
- Accepted credit
- ADA CERP; AGD PACE; AMA; CODA-accredited institutions; ADHA; Colorado Dental Hygienists' Association; ACPE; CDC ANSI courses; other non-accredited courses only with Board pre-approval
- New licensees
- License issued within one year of the renewal date: no CE for the first renewal; otherwise 15 hours (8 clinical/science-based).
- Audits & records
- Compliance audits after each license period; keep certificates for two renewal periods (DPO page says 4 years); do not send unless requested.
- Renew online
- apps2.colorado.gov ↗
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Opioid prescribing & pain managementAll dentists, unless board-certified with equivalent training or attesting they do not prescribe opioids | 1 | every renewal |
| Infection control | 2 | every renewal |
| CPR / Basic Life Support certificationCurrent BLS; max 2 h credit | — | every renewal |
Good to know. At least 16 h clinical/science-based; at least 50% live and interactive (live webinars count). Current BLS required (max 2 h credit). Annual OSHA bloodborne pathogen training. Presenting max 6 h. Sedation/anesthesia permit CE (17 h per 5 years) may count.
Source: dpo.colorado.gov · 3 CCR 709-1, Rule 1.6(H) and 1.6(L); §12-220-308 and §12-30-114, C.R.S. · checked Oct 28, 2026
04 Conferences in Colorado
05 Questions
Which CE courses count for dentists in Colorado?
ADA CERP; AGD PACE; AMA; CODA-accredited institutions; ADHA; Colorado Dental Hygienists' Association; ACPE; CDC ANSI courses; other non-accredited courses only with Board pre-approval.
How many CE hours do dentists need in Colorado?
30 hours every 2 years.
How do I verify a dentist license in Colorado?
Use the license lookup of the Colorado Dental Board (dpo.colorado.gov/Dental); 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 Colorado?
Opioid prescribing & pain management — 1 h (every renewal); Infection control — 2 h (every renewal); CPR / Basic Life Support certification (every renewal).
When is the renewal deadline for dentists in Colorado?
Licenses renew on the date shown on your license (2 years cycle).