Dental Hygienists · Arkansas · Continuing education
Arkansas Dental Hygienist CE Requirements (2026)
01 In short
- RDH40 CEUs every 2 years, including 1 h infection control; renewal by January 1 in even-numbered years.
Official source: the state licensing board · checked Oct 28, 2026
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03 Requirements
Arkansas RDH CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 40CEUs
- Renewal cycle
- 2 years
- Deadline
- Jan 1, even yrs
- Reporting
- Attestation
- Renewal deadline
- By January 1 in even-numbered years
- Accepted credit
- Courses directly related to patient care or management of the dental practice; CE units as determined by the course sponsor; home study with post-test and certificate accepted. The Board does not pre-approve courses. Not accepted: money management, investments, consultant time, organizational business meetings.
- Carryover
- Not allowed: hours above the minimum do not carry forward.
- New licensees
- Requirement starts January 1 of the calendar year after licensure and is pro-rated if not at the start of a reporting period.
- Audits & records
- Signed list of CE hours on Board forms at the end of each reporting period; audits at the end of each period. Keep records at least 3 years after the period ends.
- Renew online
- renew.statesolutions.us ↗
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Infection control | 1 | every renewal |
| CPR / Basic Life Support certificationHygienists with a local anesthesia certificate: current healthcare-provider BLS for its yearly renewal | — | every renewal |
Alternatives & exemptions. Full-time graduate study, internship or residency in dentistry/dental hygiene fulfils the requirement for that period (Board must be notified). Deployed service members and spouses are fully exempt until 180 days after return.
Good to know. Reporting period = two calendar years starting in an even year; licenses renew January 1 of even-numbered years. 1 CEU = at least 50 minutes. Hygienists with a local anesthesia certificate need current healthcare-provider BLS for its yearly renewal.
Source: healthy.arkansas.gov · Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners Rules, Article XIV (Minimum Continuing Education for Dentists and Dental Hygienists); Ark. Code Ann. 17-82-310 · checked Oct 28, 2026
04 Questions
How many CE hours do dental hygienists need in Arkansas?
40 CEUs every 2 years.
Which CE courses count for dental hygienists in Arkansas?
Courses directly related to patient care or management of the dental practice; CE units as determined by the course sponsor; home study with post-test and certificate accepted. The Board does not pre-approve courses. Not accepted: money management, investments, consultant time, organizational business meetings.
Is CPR/BLS required for dental hygienists in Arkansas?
Yes — current CPR/BLS certification is part of renewal.
When is the renewal deadline for dental hygienists in Arkansas?
Licenses renew by January 1 in even-numbered years (2 years cycle).