Texas Dental CE Requirements for License Renewal: Complete 2026 Guide

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

This guide explains the Texas 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 Texas Dentists

• 24 hours of CE every two years

• At least 16 hours must be from approved live or interactive courses

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

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

• No more than 8 hours may be in practice management or business topics

CE Hour Requirements for Texas Dental Hygienists

• 24 hours of CE every two years

• At least 16 hours must be live or interactive

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

• No more than 8 hours may be non-clinical (e.g., practice management)

CE Hour Requirements for Texas Dental Assistants

Registered Dental Assistants (RDAs)

• 6 hours of CE every year (12 hours over two years)

• CE must relate directly to dental assisting duties and patient safety

• CPR certification must be kept current at all times

Mandatory CE Topics for Texas License Renewal

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

• Texas Jurisprudence Assessment – Must be completed every two years

• Infection Control – Must be current and regularly updated

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

• Human Trafficking Prevention Training – 1 hour every renewal period (required for all licensees)

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

• Ethics and Professional Conduct – Recommended regularly for all licensees

CE Reporting, Deadlines, and Audits

• Texas dental licenses renew every two 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 TSBDE conducts random CE audits, so accurate recordkeeping is essential

CE Courses and Certificate Tracking

You can complete Texas-compliant CE courses at ToothNerd.com, including Texas Jurisprudence, OSHA, Infection Control, and Human Trafficking Prevention.

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 Texas CE Compliance

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

• Prioritize required topics: Complete jurisprudence and human trafficking CE early

• Verify providers: Choose only TSBDE-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 Texas 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.