Colorado Dental CE Requirements for License Renewal: Complete 2026 Guide

Staying compliant with Colorado dental license renewal requirements is essential for protecting your license and providing safe, high-quality patient care. The Colorado Dental Board requires dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants to complete continuing education (CE) every renewal cycle.

This guide explains the Colorado dental CE requirements for license renewal—including required hours, mandatory topics, deadlines, and best practices—so you can renew with confidence.

CE Hour Requirements for Colorado Dentists

• 30 hours of CE every two years

• At least 15 hours must be live, interactive, or clinical participation

• Remaining hours may be completed online or self-study from approved providers

• CE must directly support the practice of dentistry, patient care, or public health

CE Hour Requirements for Colorado Dental Hygienists

• 30 hours of CE every two years

• At least 15 hours must be live or interactive

• CE must support clinical dental hygiene, prevention, and patient safety

CE Hour Requirements for Colorado Dental Assistants

• No general CE requirement for basic dental assistants

• Expanded Duty Dental Assistants (EDDAs) must complete CE as required to maintain their permits and certifications

• Must maintain current CPR certification at all times

Mandatory CE Topics for Colorado License Renewal

Colorado requires or strongly encourages the following CE topics during each renewal cycle:

• Infection Control – Must be current and regularly updated

• CPR/BLS Certification – Must be current at all times

• Colorado Jurisprudence (Laws & Ethics) – 1 hour every two years

• Opioid Prescribing and Substance Use Prevention – 1 hour every two years for DEA-registered dentists

• Cultural Competency and Health Equity – Recommended periodically to stay current with patient care standards

CE Reporting, Deadlines, and Audits

• Colorado dental licenses renew every two years (by February 28 of even-numbered years)

• CE completion is attested during license renewal

• Licensees must retain CE documentation for at least five years

• The Colorado Dental Board conducts random CE audits, so accurate recordkeeping is essential

CE Courses and Certificate Tracking

You can complete Colorado-compliant CE courses at ToothNerd.com, including Colorado Jurisprudence, OSHA, Infection Control, and Opioid CE.

While CE providers issue completion certificates, practices also need centralized documentation for compliance. Done Desk allows dental organizations to track CE completions, license renewals, and documentation for the entire team in one platform—helping practices stay audit-ready and compliant.

Best Practices for Colorado CE Compliance

• Plan ahead: Spread CE hours across your two-year renewal cycle

• Prioritize required topics: Complete jurisprudence and opioid CE early

• Verify providers: Choose only Board-approved, ADA CERP, or AGD PACE CE

• Keep detailed records: Maintain both digital and physical proof of CE completion

Accreditation Statement

Tooth Nerd LLC is an approved PACE Program Provider for FAGD/MAGD credit and AGD Approved Courses. Approval does not imply acceptance by any regulatory authority or AGD endorsement. Provider ID# 389654.

Bottom Line

Meeting Colorado dental continuing education requirements is essential for keeping your license active and your patients safe. By completing the required hours, covering all mandated topics, and tracking documentation through Done Desk, you can renew on time and with confidence.