Washington Dental CE Requirements for License Renewal: Complete 2026 Guide

Staying compliant with Washington’s dental license renewal requirements is essential for protecting your license and ensuring high-quality patient care. The Washington State Department of Health’s Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) requires dentists and dental hygienists to complete continuing education (CE) every renewal cycle.

This guide explains the Washington 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 Washington Dentists

• 63 hours of continuing education every three years

• At least 21 hours must be live, interactive, or clinical participation

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

• CE must directly support the clinical practice of dentistry, patient care, or public health

CE Hour Requirements for Washington Dental Hygienists

• 15 hours of CE annually (45 hours every three years)

• At least 10 hours must be directly related to clinical patient care

• Remaining hours can include courses on ethics, safety, or practice management

Mandatory CE Topics for Washington License Renewal

Washington requires or strongly encourages specific CE topics during each renewal cycle:

• Infection Control – Must be current and regularly updated

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

• Suicide Prevention Training – 3 hours (one-time requirement from an approved program)

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

• Ethics and Jurisprudence – Recommended regularly to remain current on Washington dental regulations

CE Reporting, Deadlines, and Audit Tips

• Washington dental licenses renew every three years on your birthday month

• CE completion is attested during license renewal

• Licensees must retain CE documentation for at least four years

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

CE Courses and Certificate Tracking

You can complete Washington-compliant CE courses at ToothNerd.com, which offers dental CE covering infection control, ethics, opioid prescribing, and more.

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 Washington CE Compliance

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

• Prioritize required topics: Complete opioid prescribing, suicide prevention, and infection control early

• Verify providers: Choose only ADA CERP, AGD PACE, or DQAC-recognized 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 Washington 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.