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

Staying compliant with New York dental license renewal requirements is essential for protecting your license and providing safe, high-quality patient care. The New York State Education Department (NYSED) / Office of the Professions requires dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants to complete continuing education (CE) every renewal cycle.

This guide explains the New York 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 York 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 be directly related to the practice of dentistry, patient care, or public health

CE Hour Requirements for New York Dental Hygienists

• 24 hours of CE every three years

• At least 12 hours must be live or interactive

• CE must focus on clinical dental hygiene, prevention, and patient care

CE Hour Requirements for New York Dental Assistants

Licensed Certified Dental Assistants (LCDAs)

• 12 hours of CE every three years

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

• Must maintain current CPR certification at all times

Mandatory CE Topics for New York License Renewal

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

• Infection Control – 4-hour course required every four years for all licensees

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

• New York Jurisprudence and Ethics – Recommended periodically

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

• Child Abuse Identification and Reporting – One-time mandatory course for initial licensure

• Infection Control Initial and Update Training – Required for all licensees

CE Reporting, Deadlines, and Audits

• New York dental licenses renew every three years (by the licensee’s birth month)

• CE completion is attested during license renewal

• Licensees must retain CE documentation for at least six years

• The NYSED conducts random CE audits, so accurate recordkeeping is essential

CE Courses and Certificate Tracking

You can complete New York-compliant CE courses at ToothNerd.com, including Infection Control, OSHA, Ethics, 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 York CE Compliance

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

• Prioritize required topics: Complete infection control and opioid CE early

• Verify providers: Choose only NYSED-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 York 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.