Montana Dental CE Requirements for License Renewal: Complete 2026 Guide

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

This guide explains the Montana 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 Montana Dentists

• 60 hours of CE every three years

• At least 40 hours must be live, interactive, or clinical participation

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

• CE must relate directly to clinical dentistry, patient safety, or public health

CE Hour Requirements for Montana Dental Hygienists

• 36 hours of CE every three years

• At least 24 hours must be live or interactive

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

CE Hour Requirements for Montana Dental Assistants

• No general CE requirement for basic dental assistants

• Expanded function or radiology-certified assistants must complete CE as required to maintain their permits and certifications

Mandatory CE Topics for Montana License Renewal

Montana 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

• Opioid Prescribing and Pain Management – 3 hours every three years for DEA-registered dentists

• Ethics and Jurisprudence – Recommended periodically to stay current on Montana dental laws

CE Reporting, Deadlines, and Audits

• Montana dental licenses renew every three years (by March 1)

• CE completion is attested during license renewal

• Licensees must retain CE documentation for at least six years

• The Montana Board of Dentistry conducts random CE audits, so accurate recordkeeping is essential

CE Courses and Certificate Tracking

You can complete Montana-compliant CE courses at ToothNerd.com, including Opioid Prescribing, OSHA, Infection Control, and Ethics.

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 Montana CE Compliance

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

• Prioritize required topics: Complete opioid and infection control 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 Montana 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.