Texas Dental CE Requirements
Texas Dental CE Requirements 2026: Complete Guide for License Compliance
Last reviewed: June 2026. Updated for 2025–2026 renewal cycle requirements.
CE HOURS REQUIRED
24
Per renewal cycle
RENEWAL CYCLE
2 Years
Biennial
RENEWAL DEADLINE
Birth Month
or individual license renewal cycle
RENEWAL SYSTEM
TSBDE
Texas State Board of Dental Examiners
Texas Dental CE Requirements for Dentists
The Texas State Board of Dental Examiners accepts courses from any provider who is ADA or AGD approved and accepts NetCE courses. Dentists and Dental Hygienists are required 24 hours every two years, 8 of which may be completed by self-study. A minimum of 16 of the 24 hours must be technical or scientific as related to clinical care.
Mandatory CE Topics
The following must be completed every renewal cycle for Texas:
Mandatory Topic |
Hours Required |
|
Human Trafficking Prevention |
1-time required course (no recurring CE hour minimum) |
|
Jurisprudence Assessment |
Required for renewal (not CE hour-based) |
|
Opioid/Pain Management |
Required for DEA registrants (hours vary by course/provider) |
|
CPR/BLS |
Current certification required |
Important notes on mandatory courses:
- Beginning with DEA initial registrations or renewals starting June 27, 2023, all DEA-registered practitioners (with the exception of DVM-only license holders) are required 8 hours on treating and managing patients with opioid or other substance use disorders, including the appropriate clinical use of all FDA-approved drugs for the treatment of a substance use disorder; or the safe pharmacological management of dental pain and screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment of patients with (or at risk of developing) opioid and other substance use disorders, one-time only. NetCE
- At least 16 hours must be technical/scientific CE coursework. TX
Who Qualifies as an Approved CE Provider
The provider offering the courses must be a CE Registered Provider licensed by the Board, or a provider approved by the American Dental Association’s Continuing Education Recognition Program (CERP) or the Academy of General Dentistry’s Program Approval for Continuing Education (PACE).
Spear Education is an ADA CERP-recognized provider, meaning your CE hours earned through Spear count toward your Texas license renewal.
Don’t Let Compliance Sneak Up on You
Texas’s Dental Board conducts random CE audits every month. Courses that are outdated, incorrectly categorized, or obtained through non-approved sources may be rejected during a Board audit, even if certificates of completion are available.
The smartest approach:
- start early
- choose approved providers
- keep meticulous records
Licensees must retain certificates of CE course completion for a period of three renewal periods.
Meet Your Texas CE Requirements with Spear
Spear Education offers hundreds of clinically relevant, ADA CERP-recognized courses, so you can fulfill your Texas requirements while actually growing as a clinician. Whether you’re brushing up on infection control compliance or diving deep into occlusion, restorative, or practice management, Spear has content that makes your 24 hours count.
Start a 7-Day Free Trial
When you’re ready to go all-in, a Spear membership gives you unlimited access to premium CE, live webinars, and a community of top dental educators.
FAQ
Texas Dental CE FAQ
How many CE hours do Texas dentists need to renew their license?
Texas dentists must complete 24 CE hours every two-year renewal cycle. At least 16 of those hours must be technical or scientific coursework directly related to clinical care, and up to 8 hours may be completed through self-study. Renewal deadlines vary based on your individual license cycle and birth month, managed through the TSBDE Online Renewal System.
Texas Dental CE FAQ
Is Spear Education an approved CE provider in Texas?
Yes. The Texas State Board of Dental Examiners accepts CE from ADA CERP-recognized and AGD PACE-approved providers, and Spear Education is ADA CERP recognized. Courses completed through Spear count toward your Texas license renewal. Retain your certificates, as the Board conducts random monthly audits and documentation from non-approved sources may be rejected even with a completion certificate.
Texas Dental CE FAQ
What mandatory CE is required for Texas dental license renewal?
Texas dentists must complete a one-time human trafficking prevention course and the Jurisprudence Assessment each renewal cycle. DEA registrants are also required to complete an 8-hour one-time opioid and substance use disorder course, which became effective for new registrations or renewals starting June 27, 2023. Current CPR/BLS certification is required as well.
Texas Dental CE FAQ
How many self-study CE hours can Texas dentists count toward renewal?
Texas dentists may count up to 8 of their 24 required CE hours from self-study (home study) courses. The remaining 16 hours must be technical or scientific CE related to clinical care and must come from ADA CERP- or AGD PACE-approved providers. Spear Education offers both self-study and live webinar formats to help you hit both thresholds efficiently.
This page is for informational purposes only. Always verify current requirements directly with the Dental Board of Texas before renewing your license.
