District of Columbia Board of Dentistry (DC Health, Department of Health)
District of Columbia dentist CE requirements
The published continuing-education requirements for a District of Columbia dental license, laid out clearly so you can see the whole picture before your renewal.
What the board requires
- 30 hrsTotal per biennial cycle.
- 2 hrsInfection control, counted within the total.
- 1 hrsEthics, counted within the total.
- 2 hrsCultural competency or specialized clinical training focusing on LGBTQ patients, counted within the total.
- 3 hrsPublic health priority subjects designated by the Director (10 percent of total), counted within the total.
- 2 hrsAbuse and misuse of controlled substances and opioid prescription practices (controlled-substance prescribers with DEA and DC authority only), counted within the total.
- Up to 15 hrsApproved internet continuing education courses (ceiling of 15 of the 30 hours) - DISPUTED, see notes.
- RequiredCurrent cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification for health care providers; must be held but does not count toward CE hours. Online-eligibility of the CPR requirement is DISPUTED between sources (see notes). (does not count toward CE hours).
Common questions
How many CE hours do District of Columbia dentists need?
30 hours per biennial renewal cycle. That is what CEChart has on file from the source cited on this page, not a figure confirmed against District of Columbia Board of Dentistry (DC Health, Department of Health), so check it with the board before you rely on it.
Which specific topics does District of Columbia require?
2 hours infection control; 1 hour ethics; 2 hours cultural competency or specialized clinical training focusing on LGBTQ patients; 3 hours public health priority subjects designated by the Director (10 percent of total); 2 hours abuse and misuse of controlled substances and opioid prescription practices (controlled-substance prescribers with DEA and DC authority only). These count inside the total, not on top of it. Not confirmed against District of Columbia Board of Dentistry (DC Health, Department of Health) yet.
Are there limits on how District of Columbia dentists can earn CE hours?
Yes: approved internet continuing education courses (ceiling of 15 of the 30 hours) - DISPUTED, see notes (up to 15 hours). Not confirmed against District of Columbia Board of Dentistry (DC Health, Department of Health) yet.
Does District of Columbia require anything besides CE hours?
Yes: current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification for health care providers; must be held but does not count toward CE hours. Online-eligibility of the CPR requirement is DISPUTED between sources (see notes). That is a credential you hold, not CE hours you count. Not confirmed against District of Columbia Board of Dentistry (DC Health, Department of Health) yet.
Can CEChart track my District of Columbia CE automatically?
Not yet. We show the District of Columbia requirements and their sources, but we do not run an automatic District of Columbia calculator until every number is confirmed against District of Columbia Board of Dentistry (DC Health, Department of Health).
Source: District of Columbia Board of Dentistry (DC Health, Department of Health) (https://dchealth.dc.gov/service/board-dentistry-dentistry-licensing). These are the published requirements as we read them, not legal or board advice, and CEChart does not certify compliance. Confirm your requirements with District of Columbia Board of Dentistry (DC Health, Department of Health) before you rely on them.
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