Dentists · Tennessee · Continuing education
Tennessee Dental CE Requirements for Dentists (2026)
01 In short
- DDS/DMD40 hours every 2 years, including 2 h controlled substances prescribing; renewal by December 31 in even-numbered years.
Official source: the state licensing board · checked Oct 28, 2026
02 Calculator
How many hours do I still need?
Find conferences in Tennessee →
Calculated in your browser; nothing is sent or stored.
03 Requirements
Tennessee DDS/DMD CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 40hours
- Renewal cycle
- 2 years
- Deadline
- Dec 31, even yrs
- Reporting
- Attestation
- Renewal deadline
- By December 31 in even-numbered years
- Accepted credit
- ADA, Academy of General Dentistry, ADHA, NDA, NDHA, ADAA and their affiliates; recognized specialty academies; TN Department of Health, TEMA, FEMA; accredited dental/hygiene/assisting schools; ACLS/PALS (AHA/Red Cross guidelines); dental meetings max 10 h; authorship and presenting (limits apply)
- Audits & records
- Random monthly CE and CPR audits; send documents only if audited. Keep certificates 3 years after the calendar year of completion.
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Controlled substances prescribingPrescribing of controlled substances incl. the Tennessee Chronic Pain Guidelines | 2 | every renewal |
| State laws & rules (jurisprudence)Online Jurisprudence Exam each renewal cycle | — | every renewal |
| CPR / Basic Life Support certificationCurrent in-person CPR card (manikin skills test); hours may count | — | every renewal |
Good to know. CE cycle Jan 1 of an odd year to Dec 31 of an even year; license expires end of birth month. No online limit. Current in-person CPR card (manikin skills test) required; CPR hours may count. Sedation permits: 4 of the 40 h on sedation/anesthesia plus current ACLS/PALS.
Source: www.tn.gov · Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0460-01-.05 · checked Oct 28, 2026
04 Conferences in Tennessee
05 Questions
Which CE courses count for dentists in Tennessee?
ADA, Academy of General Dentistry, ADHA, NDA, NDHA, ADAA and their affiliates; recognized specialty academies; TN Department of Health, TEMA, FEMA; accredited dental/hygiene/assisting schools; ACLS/PALS (AHA/Red Cross guidelines); dental meetings max 10 h; authorship and presenting (limits apply).
How many CE hours do dentists need in Tennessee?
40 hours every 2 years.
How do I verify a dentist license in Tennessee?
Use the license lookup of the Tennessee Board of Dentistry (tn.gov/health/licensure/den.html); 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 Tennessee?
Controlled substances prescribing — 2 h (every renewal); State laws & rules (jurisprudence) (every renewal); CPR / Basic Life Support certification (every renewal).
When is the renewal deadline for dentists in Tennessee?
Licenses renew by December 31 in even-numbered years (2 years cycle).