New Mexico Dental CE Requirements for License Renewal: Complete 2026 Guide

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

This guide explains the New Mexico 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 New Mexico Dentists

• 60 hours of CE every three years

• At least 30 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 New Mexico Dental Hygienists

• 45 hours of CE every three years

• At least 22.5 hours must be live or interactive

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

CE Hour Requirements for New Mexico Dental Assistants

Expanded Function Dental Auxiliaries (EFDAs)

• 30 hours of CE every three years

• CE must be related to clinical duties, infection control, or patient safety

• Must maintain current CPR certification at all times

Mandatory CE Topics for New Mexico License Renewal

New Mexico 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

• New Mexico Jurisprudence (Laws & Ethics) – 1 hour every three years

• Opioid Prescribing and Pain Management – 3 hours every renewal period for DEA-registered dentists

• Radiation Safety – Required periodically for licensees who operate radiographic equipment

CE Reporting, Deadlines, and Audits

• New Mexico dental licenses renew every three years (by June 30)

• CE completion is attested during license renewal

• Licensees must retain CE documentation for at least four years

• The New Mexico Board of Dental Health Care conducts random CE audits, so accurate recordkeeping is essential

CE Courses and Certificate Tracking

You can complete New Mexico-compliant CE courses at ToothNerd.com, including New Mexico 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 New Mexico CE Compliance

• Plan ahead: Spread CE hours across your three-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 New Mexico 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.