Pennsylvania Dental CE Requirements for License Renewal: Complete 2026 Guide

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

This guide explains the Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania Dental Hygienists

• 20 hours of CE every two years

• At least 10 hours must be live or interactive

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

CE Hour Requirements for Pennsylvania Dental Assistants

• No general CE requirement for basic dental assistants

• Expanded Function Dental Assistants (EFDAs) must complete 10 hours of CE every two years

• Must maintain current CPR certification at all times

Mandatory CE Topics for Pennsylvania License Renewal

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

• Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting – 3 hours every renewal period (mandatory for all licensees)

• Infection Control – Must be current and regularly updated

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

• Pennsylvania Jurisprudence (Laws & Ethics) – Recommended periodically

• Opioid Prescribing and Pain Management – 2 hours every renewal period for DEA-registered dentists

• Radiation Safety and Prescription – 2 hours every four years for all licensees who prescribe or operate radiographic equipment

CE Reporting, Deadlines, and Audits

• Pennsylvania dental licenses renew every two years (by March 31 of odd-numbered years)

• CE completion is attested during license renewal

• Licensees must retain CE documentation for at least five years

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

CE Courses and Certificate Tracking

You can complete Pennsylvania-compliant CE courses at ToothNerd.com, including Child Abuse, 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 Pennsylvania CE Compliance

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

• Prioritize required topics: Complete child abuse, 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 Pennsylvania 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.