Dental Hygienists · District of Columbia · Continuing education
District of Columbia Dental Hygienist CE Requirements (2026)
01 In short
- RDH20 hours every 2 years, including 1 h medical ethics, professionalism & law, 2 h infection control, 2 h cultural competency, 2 h public health priority topics; renewal by the end of your birth month.
Official source: the state licensing board · checked Oct 28, 2026
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03 Requirements
District of Columbia RDH CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 20hours
- Renewal cycle
- 2 years
- Deadline
- Birth month
- Reporting
- —
- Renewal deadline
- By the end of your birth month
- Accepted credit
- Programs administered or approved by a Board-recognized national, state or local dentistry or dental hygiene organization, health care organization, licensed facility or accredited college/university, or pre-approved by the Board. Approved internet courses accepted
- New licensees
- Not required for the first renewal of a license granted by examination.
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Medical ethics, professionalism & lawEthics | 1 | every renewal |
| Infection control | 2 | every renewal |
| Cultural competencyCultural competency or clinical training on LGBTQ patients | 2 | every renewal |
| Public health priority topicsAt least 10% of required hours in public health priority subjects named by the Director | 2 | every renewal |
| CPR / Basic Life Support certificationCurrent basic-level CPR for healthcare providers | — | every renewal |
Good to know. Current basic-level CPR certification for healthcare providers required. DC Health moved licenses to a birth-month cycle (expires last day of birth month, odd/even year per birth year); 50% CE accepted once for shortened transition terms.
Source: www.dcregs.dc.gov · 17 DCMR 4306-4308 · checked Oct 28, 2026
04 Questions
How many CE hours do dental hygienists need in District of Columbia?
20 hours every 2 years.
Which CE courses count for dental hygienists in District of Columbia?
Programs administered or approved by a Board-recognized national, state or local dentistry or dental hygiene organization, health care organization, licensed facility or accredited college/university, or pre-approved by the Board. Approved internet courses accepted.
Is CPR/BLS required for dental hygienists in District of Columbia?
Yes — current CPR/BLS certification is part of renewal.
When is the renewal deadline for dental hygienists in District of Columbia?
Licenses renew by the end of your birth month (2 years cycle).