Dentists · District of Columbia · Continuing education
District of Columbia Dental CE Requirements for Dentists (2026)
01 In short
- DDS/DMD30 hours every 2 years, including 1 h medical ethics, professionalism & law, 2 h infection control, 2 h controlled substances prescribing, 2 h cultural competency; renewal by the end of your birth month.
Official source: the state licensing board · checked Oct 28, 2026
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03 Requirements
District of Columbia DDS/DMD CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 30hours
- Renewal cycle
- 2 years
- Deadline
- Birth month
- Reporting
- —
- Renewal deadline
- By the end of your birth month
- Accepted credit
- Programs administered or approved by a recognized national, state or local dentistry organization, health care organization, accredited health care facility or accredited college/university, or pre-approved by the Board; teaching, publications, clinical instruction and research may count. Approved internet courses accepted
- New licensees
- Not required for the first renewal of a license granted by examination.
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Medical ethics, professionalism & lawEthics | 1 | every renewal |
| Infection control | 2 | every renewal |
| Controlled substances prescribingDentists with DEA and DC controlled substance registration: abuse/misuse of controlled substances and opioid prescribing; part of the 30 hours | 2 | every renewal |
| Cultural competencyCultural competency or clinical training on LGBTQ patients | 2 | every renewal |
| Public health priority topicsAt least 10% of required hours in public health priority subjects named by the Director | 3 | every renewal |
| CPR / Basic Life Support certificationCurrent CPR for health care providers; online CPR/BLS/PALS/ACLS accepted | — | every renewal |
Good to know. Current CPR certification for health care providers required; online CPR/BLS/PALS/ACLS courses accepted. DC Health moved licenses to a birth-month cycle (expires last day of birth month, odd/even year per birth year); 50% CE accepted once for shortened transition terms.
Source: www.dcregs.dc.gov · 17 DCMR 4206-4208 · checked Oct 28, 2026
04 Questions
Which CE courses count for dentists in District of Columbia?
Programs administered or approved by a recognized national, state or local dentistry organization, health care organization, accredited health care facility or accredited college/university, or pre-approved by the Board; teaching, publications, clinical instruction and research may count. Approved internet courses accepted.
How many CE hours do dentists need in District of Columbia?
30 hours every 2 years.
How do I verify a dentist license in District of Columbia?
Use the license lookup of the DC Board of Dentistry (dchealth.dc.gov/service/board-dentistry-dentistry-licensing); 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 District of Columbia?
Medical ethics, professionalism & law — 1 h (every renewal); Infection control — 2 h (every renewal); Controlled substances prescribing — 2 h (every renewal); Cultural competency — 2 h (every renewal); Public health priority topics — 3 h (every renewal); CPR / Basic Life Support certification (every renewal).
When is the renewal deadline for dentists in District of Columbia?
Licenses renew by the end of your birth month (2 years cycle).