Dental Hygienists · California · Continuing education
California Dental Hygienist CE Requirements (2026)
01 In short
- RDH/RDHEF: 25 units every 2 years, including 2 h infection control, 2 h state laws & rules (jurisprudence); renewal by the end of your birth month.
- RDHAP35 units every 2 years, including 2 h infection control, 2 h state laws & rules (jurisprudence); renewal by the end of your birth month.
Official source: the state licensing board · checked Oct 28, 2026
02 Calculator
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03 Requirements
California RDH/RDHEF CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 25units
- Renewal cycle
- 2 years
- Deadline
- Birth month
- Reporting
- Attestation
- Renewal deadline
- By the end of your birth month
- Accepted credit
- Providers recognized and approved by the Dental Board of California, ADA CERP or AGD PACE
- Online limit
- 50% of hours
- Carryover
- Not allowed (BPC §1936.1): units must be earned in the two years before expiration.
- Audits & records
- Certificates reviewed only on audit; failed audit can lead to citation and fine. Receipts or attendance sheets are not accepted as proof.
- Renew online
- www.breeze.ca.gov ↗
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Infection controlInfection Control course from a Dental Board Registered CE Provider approved for it (OSHA/bloodborne courses do not count) | 2 | every renewal |
| State laws & rules (jurisprudence)California Dental Practice Act course from a Dental Board Registered CE Provider approved for it | 2 | every renewal |
| CPR / Basic Life Support certificationLive BLS with skills session (AHA, Red Cross, ASHI, CERP or PACE); max 4 units count | — | every renewal |
Good to know. BLS (AHA, Red Cross, ASHI, CERP or PACE; live skills session) is mandatory, max 4 units count. Max 12.5 units correspondence/self-study; max 8 units per day; max 20% practice-management type courses; up to 3 units for volunteer care, 20% for teaching. Renew every 2 years by end of birth month.
Source: www.dhbc.ca.gov · Title 16, CCR §1016, §1016.2 and §1017; BPC §1936.1 · checked Oct 28, 2026
California RDHAP CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 35units
- Renewal cycle
- 2 years
- Deadline
- Birth month
- Reporting
- Attestation
- Renewal deadline
- By the end of your birth month
- Accepted credit
- Providers recognized and approved by the Dental Board of California, ADA CERP or AGD PACE
- Online limit
- 50% of hours
- Carryover
- Not allowed (BPC §1936.1).
- Renew online
- www.breeze.ca.gov ↗
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Infection controlInfection Control course from an approved Registered CE Provider | 2 | every renewal |
| State laws & rules (jurisprudence)California Dental Practice Act course from an approved Registered CE Provider | 2 | every renewal |
| CPR / Basic Life Support certificationBLS with live skills session; max 4 units count | — | every renewal |
Good to know. Registered Dental Hygienist in Alternative Practice. Max 17.5 units correspondence. BLS with live skills session mandatory (max 4 units). 35 units also cover an RDH license held at the same time.
Source: www.dhbc.ca.gov · Title 16, CCR §1016, §1016.2 and §1017; BPC §1936.1 · checked Oct 28, 2026
04 Conferences in California
05 Questions
How many CE hours do dental hygienists need in California?
RDH/RDHEF: 25 units every 2 years. RDHAP: 35 units every 2 years.
Which CE courses count for dental hygienists in California?
RDH/RDHEF: Providers recognized and approved by the Dental Board of California, ADA CERP or AGD PACE. RDHAP: Providers recognized and approved by the Dental Board of California, ADA CERP or AGD PACE.
Is CPR/BLS required for dental hygienists in California?
RDH/RDHEF: Yes — current CPR/BLS certification is part of renewal. RDHAP: Yes — current CPR/BLS certification is part of renewal.
When is the renewal deadline for dental hygienists in California?
RDH/RDHEF: Licenses renew by the end of your birth month (2 years cycle). RDHAP: Licenses renew by the end of your birth month (2 years cycle).