Dentists · Texas · Continuing education
Texas Dental CE Requirements for Dentists (2026)
01 In short
- DDS/DMD24 hours every 2 years, including 2 h controlled substances prescribing (once), 4 h pain management; renewal on the date shown on your license.
Official source: the state licensing board · checked Oct 28, 2026
02 Calculator
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03 Requirements
Texas DDS/DMD CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 24hours
- Renewal cycle
- 2 years
- Deadline
- On license
- Reporting
- Attestation
- Renewal deadline
- On the date shown on your license
- Accepted credit
- Courses from providers under TSBDE Rule 104.2 (Board-approved provider list); live interactive webinars count as classroom hours
- Online limit
- 33% of hours
- Carryover
- Up to 24 excess classroom/lecture hours earned within the year before the renewal period may be carried forward.
- New licensees
- CE applies after the first biennial renewal and before each subsequent renewal.
- Audits & records
- Attest at renewal; do not send proof unless asked. About 5% of renewals each month are randomly audited.
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Human traffickingHHSC-approved human trafficking prevention course, part of the 24 hours | — | every renewal |
| Controlled substances prescribingDEA-permitted dentists: prescribing and monitoring controlled substances, within 1 year of obtaining the DEA permit; counts toward the 4 pain-management hours | 2 | once |
| State laws & rules (jurisprudence)TSBDE Jurisprudence Assessment every 4 years (does not count toward the 24 hours) | — | every 4 years |
| Pain managementDentists with direct patient care: safe and effective pain management related to prescribing opioids and other controlled substances (counts as technical/scientific) | 4 | every renewal |
| CPR / Basic Life Support certificationCurrent hands-on BLS; CPR hours do not count | — | every renewal |
Good to know. At least 16 h technical/scientific; up to 8 h risk management (records, HIPAA, ethics); up to 8 h self-study. OSHA, CPR and practice finance do not count; ACLS/PALS may count. Current hands-on BLS required. Sedation permit holders: 6/8/12 h on sedation by permit level.
Source: tsbde.texas.gov · Tex. Occ. Code § 257.005; 22 TAC Chapter 104 (§104.1, §104.2) · checked Oct 28, 2026
04 Conferences in Texas
05 Questions
Which CE courses count for dentists in Texas?
Courses from providers under TSBDE Rule 104.2 (Board-approved provider list); live interactive webinars count as classroom hours.
How many CE hours do dentists need in Texas?
24 hours every 2 years.
How do I verify a dentist license in Texas?
Use the license lookup of the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (tsbde.texas.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 Texas?
Human trafficking (every renewal); Controlled substances prescribing — 2 h (once); State laws & rules (jurisprudence) (every 4 years); Pain management — 4 h (every renewal); CPR / Basic Life Support certification (every renewal).
When is the renewal deadline for dentists in Texas?
Licenses renew on the date shown on your license (2 years cycle).