Dentists · North Carolina · Continuing education
North Carolina Dental CE Requirements for Dentists (2026)
01 In short
- DDS/DMD15 clock hours every year, including 6 h medical ethics, professionalism & law (before the first renewal), 1 h controlled substances prescribing; renewal by January 31.
Official source: the state licensing board · checked Oct 28, 2026
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03 Requirements
North Carolina DDS/DMD CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 15clock hours
- Renewal cycle
- 1 year
- Deadline
- Jan 31
- Reporting
- Attestation
- Renewal deadline
- By January 31
- Accepted credit
- ADA CERP-recognized sponsors; AGD; NC AHEC; dental/dental hygiene/dental assisting schools; national, state or local societies; government entities; FQHCs. Must relate to clinical patient care
- Online limit
- 100% of hours
- New licensees
- Dentists licensed after Jan 1, 2019 who practice or teach in NC take a 6-hour professionalism and ethics course in their first CE year (counts toward the 15 h).
- Audits & records
- Hours reported on the annual renewal application; keep sponsor reports for at least 2 years and produce them at Board audit.
- Renew online
- www.ncdentalboard.org ↗
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Medical ethics, professionalism & lawDentists licensed after Jan 1, 2019 | 6 | before the first renewal |
| Controlled substances prescribingDentists who prescribe controlled substances (incl. chronic pain prescribing) | 1 | every renewal |
| CPR / Basic Life Support certificationCurrent CPR; CPR hours do not count | — | every renewal |
Good to know. Annual renewal by Jan 31; void if not compliant by Mar 31. All hours may be self-study from approved sponsors (test required). 1 h mental health/substance use CE every two calendar years (no matching topic code). Current CPR required; CPR hours do not count.
Source: reports.oah.state.nc.us · 21 NCAC 16R .0101-.0206 · checked Oct 28, 2026
04 Questions
Which CE courses count for dentists in North Carolina?
ADA CERP-recognized sponsors; AGD; NC AHEC; dental/dental hygiene/dental assisting schools; national, state or local societies; government entities; FQHCs. Must relate to clinical patient care.
How many CE hours do dentists need in North Carolina?
15 clock hours every year.
How do I verify a dentist license in North Carolina?
Use the license lookup of the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners (ncdentalboard.org); 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 North Carolina?
Medical ethics, professionalism & law — 6 h (before the first renewal); Controlled substances prescribing — 1 h (every renewal); CPR / Basic Life Support certification (every renewal).
When is the renewal deadline for dentists in North Carolina?
Licenses renew by January 31 (1 year cycle).