Complete your California dental continuing education requirements with convenient live interactive webinars from ACES.
California Dental CE Requirements at a Glance
50 CE Hours
25 CE Hours
25 CE Hours
Every 2 Years
Last Day of Birth Month
Live Webinars Qualify
California Dental Continuing Education Requirements
California dentists must generally complete 50 hours of continuing education every two years, while Registered Dental Hygienists (RDH) and Registered Dental Assistants (RDA) generally require 25 hours every two years.
California also requires specific coursework for license renewal. Dentists, hygienists and RDAs must complete applicable mandatory courses including Infection Control, the California Dental Practice Act and Basic Life Support (BLS). Dentists must also complete the required Responsibilities and Requirements of Prescribing Schedule II Opioid Drugs course.
California allows live interactive online education to count as live CE. The Dental Board specifically includes live webinars and live video conferencing as interactive courses that may be considered live continuing education.
California-Approved Mandatory CE Courses
ACES is approved to provide California's mandatory Infection Control, California Dental Practice Act and Responsibilities and Requirements of Prescribing Schedule II Opioid Drugs courses.
3 CE Hours
3 CE Hours
3 CE Hours · Dentists
Each ACES course provides 3 CE hours. Two hours fulfill the applicable California mandatory course requirement, and the additional hour may be applied toward your remaining CE hours.
These mandatory California courses must be completed through a Registered Provider approved by the Dental Board of California to offer the specific course.
Basic Life Support is also required. California does not accept an online-only BLS course for this requirement. BLS must include a live, in-person skills practice session, skills test and written examination.
Dental Board of California Approval
ACES is a California business and is approved by the Dental Board of California as a Provider of Dental Continuing Education (RP4393).
This approval allows ACES to provide California-specific continuing education, including the mandatory Infection Control, California Dental Practice Act and Schedule II Opioid courses listed above.
To verify the continuing education provider approval status of Advanced Continuing Education Systems, visit the Dental Board of California and search for provider license RP4393.
California Dentist CE Requirements
California dentists must generally complete 50 CE hours during each 2-year license renewal period.
Required CE for California Dentists
- 2 hours – Infection Control
- 2 hours – California Dental Practice Act
- 2 hours – Responsibilities and Requirements of Prescribing Schedule II Opioid Drugs
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
ACES is approved to provide the Infection Control, California Dental Practice Act and Schedule II Opioid courses.
Dentists with sedation, anesthesia or other permits may have additional continuing education requirements associated with those permits.
No more than 50% of the total required CE units may be completed through non-live or correspondence courses. California considers interactive education such as live webinars and live video conferencing to be live courses.
California Dental Hygienist (RDH) CE Requirements
California Registered Dental Hygienists (RDH) must generally complete 25 hours of continuing education every two years for license renewal.
Required CE for California Dental Hygienists
- 2 hours – Infection Control
- 2 hours – California Dental Practice Act
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
ACES is approved to provide the required Infection Control and California Dental Practice Act courses.
No more than 50% of an RDH's required CE units may be completed through correspondence courses. Live interactive courses include live lectures, live video conferencing and live webinars, making ACES live webinars a convenient option for completing qualifying CE remotely.
Note: Registered Dental Hygienists in Alternative Practice (RDHAP) have different requirements and must complete 35 CE units during each renewal cycle.
California Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) CE Requirements
California Registered Dental Assistants (RDA) must generally complete 25 CE hours every two years for license renewal.
Required CE for California RDAs
- 2 hours – Infection Control
- 2 hours – California Dental Practice Act
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
ACES is approved to provide the required Infection Control and California Dental Practice Act courses.
No more than 50% of the required CE units may be completed through non-live or correspondence courses. Interactive courses such as live webinars may be considered live CE.
Additional requirements may apply to RDAs with extended functions or additional permits. RDAs licensed on or after January 1, 2010 may also have a pit and fissure sealant course requirement before their second license renewal.
Do Live Webinars Count as Live CE in California?
Yes. California recognizes interactive courses as live continuing education. Interactive courses include live video conferencing, live webinars, live lectures and live workshop demonstrations.
No more than 50% of the required CE units may be completed through non-live or correspondence education. However, dental professionals may complete qualifying CE through live interactive instruction, including live webinars.
Live & Instructor-Led
Ask Questions During the Course
Earn 3 CE Hours Per Webinar
California Dental License Renewal
California dental licenses generally renew every two years and expire on the last day of the licensee's birth month.
For an active license renewal, dental professionals must complete the applicable continuing education requirements during the renewal period and meet the other renewal requirements established by their licensing board.
Continuing education is not required for the first license renewal.
Licensees should retain their CE completion certificates as required by their licensing board in case their continuing education records are audited.
Why California Dental Professionals Choose ACES
Participate and ask questions in real time.
Each ACES webinar provides 3 CE credit hours.
Infection Control, Dental Practice Act and Schedule II Opioids.
Trusted continuing dental education.
Access your completion certificates after passing the course exam.
Complete Your California Dental CE Online
ACES offers live interactive dental CE webinars throughout the year, allowing California dentists, hygienists and dental assistants to complete qualifying continuing education from home or the office without traveling to an in-person course.
Every ACES webinar provides 3 CE hours and includes real-time participation with the instructor.
Because ACES webinars are live rather than recorded or on-demand, they can help California dental professionals complete the live interactive portion of their continuing education requirements while choosing courses that fit their schedules and clinical interests.
View Upcoming Live CE CoursesCalifornia Dental Licensing Boards
For the most current California dental continuing education and license renewal requirements, consult the licensing board responsible for your profession.
Dentists and Registered Dental Assistants
Dental Board of California
Registered Dental Hygienists
Dental Hygiene Board of California
Frequently Asked Questions
How many continuing education hours do California dentists need?
California dentists generally must complete 50 CE hours every two years for active license renewal. Continuing education is not required for the first license renewal.
How many CE hours do California dental hygienists need?
California Registered Dental Hygienists (RDH) generally must complete 25 CE hours every two years. RDHAP licensees have a higher 35-hour requirement.
How many CE hours are required for California RDA license renewal?
California Registered Dental Assistants generally must complete 25 CE hours every two years. CE is not required for the first license renewal.
What courses are required for California dental license renewal?
Mandatory coursework includes Infection Control, the California Dental Practice Act and Basic Life Support. Dentists must also complete the required Responsibilities and Requirements of Prescribing Schedule II Opioid Drugs course.
Is ACES approved for California's mandatory dental CE courses?
Yes. ACES is approved to provide the required Infection Control, California Dental Practice Act and Responsibilities and Requirements of Prescribing Schedule II Opioid Drugs courses.
Is ACES approved by the Dental Board of California?
Yes. ACES (Advanced Continuing Education Systems) is approved by the Dental Board of California as a Provider of Dental Continuing Education (RP4393). ACES is approved to provide California's mandatory Infection Control, California Dental Practice Act and Schedule II Opioid courses.
Do live webinars count as live CE in California?
Yes. California recognizes interactive courses, including live webinars and live video conferencing, as live continuing education.
Can California dentists complete CE online?
Yes. California allows online continuing education, but no more than 50% of the required CE units may be completed through non-live or correspondence courses. Live interactive webinars may be considered live CE.
Can I complete all of my California dental CE through live webinars?
Qualifying live interactive webinars may be used for continuing education without the 50% limitation that applies to non-live correspondence courses. However, certain requirements must be completed in a specific format. In particular, the required BLS course cannot be completed entirely online because California requires an in-person skills component.
When does a California dental license expire?
California dental licenses generally renew every two years and expire on the last day of the licensee's birth month.
Is CE required for the first California dental license renewal?
No. Dentists, Registered Dental Assistants and dental hygienists are exempt from continuing education requirements for their first license renewal.
Important: Licensing requirements can change at any time. While ACES makes every effort to keep this information accurate and current, licensees are responsible for confirming continuing education requirements with the Dental Board of California or Dental Hygiene Board of California, as applicable.