California Dental CE Requirements
California Dental CE Requirements 2026: Complete Guide for License Compliance
Last reviewed: June 2026. Updated for 2025–2026 renewal cycle requirements.
CE HOURS REQUIRED
50
Per renewal cycle
RENEWAL CYCLE
2 Years
Biennial
RENEWAL DEADLINE
Birth Month
Last day
RENEWAL SYSTEM
BreEZe
Online
California Dental CE Requirements for Dentists
California dental licenses renew every two years and must be submitted through the BreEZe online system by 11:59 p.m. on the last day of the licensee’s birth month. Missing this deadline can result in delinquent status, late fees, and interruption of your practice.
Active California dentists must complete 50 units of Dental Board–approved continuing education during each two-year renewal cycle.
Mandatory CE Topics
California has some of the most specific mandated topic requirements in the country. The following must be completed every renewal cycle:
Mandatory Topic |
Hours Required |
|
Infection Control |
2 hours |
|
California Dental Practice Act |
2 hours |
|
Opioid Prescribing (Schedule II) |
2 hours |
|
Basic Life Support (BLS) |
Up to 4 hours |
Important notes on mandatory courses:
- BLS must be completed through the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or a Board-accepted provider, and must include a live, in-person skills practice session, a skills test, and a written examination. Online-only BLS courses are not accepted
- Beginning January 1, 2023, dentists have an additional requirement of 2 hours on the responsibilities and requirements of prescribing Schedule II opioids, every two years.
- No more than 50% of total required units may be taken as non-live or correspondence courses.
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 California license renewal.
Don’t Let Compliance Sneak Up on You
California’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 Courses that are outdated, incorrectly categorized, or obtained through non-approved sources may be rejected during a Board audit, even if certificates of completion are available.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 California CE Requirements with Spear
Knowing your requirements is the first step, but where you fulfill them matters just as much. California’s mandatory topics cover compliance fundamentals like infection control and the Dental Practice Act, but the remaining hours are an opportunity to invest in the clinical skills that actually move your practice forward. The difference between completing CE to check a box and completing it to grow as a clinician often comes down to the quality of the provider you choose.
Spear Education offers hundreds of clinically relevant, ADA CERP-recognized courses, so you can fulfill your California 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 50 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
California Dental CE FAQ
How many CE hours do California dentists need per renewal cycle?
California dentists must complete 50 hours of Board-approved CE every two years. At least 50% of those hours must be from live or interactive courses. Non-live and correspondence formats are capped at 25 hours per cycle.
California Dental CE FAQ
Can I complete my California CE requirements online?
Yes, partially. Online courses can count toward your 50-hour requirement, but no more than 50% of your total hours may come from non-live or correspondence formats. Certain mandatory topics also have in-person requirements: BLS, for example, must include a live skills session and cannot be completed online-only.
California Dental CE FAQ
Does BLS certification fulfill the BLS CE requirement?
It can, up to 4 credit hours, but only if the course is provided by the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or a Dental Board-accepted provider and includes a live, in-person skills practice session, a written exam, and a skills test. Online-only BLS certifications do not satisfy this requirement.
California Dental CE FAQ
When is my California dental license renewal deadline?
Your license renews on the last day of your birth month, every two years. Renewal must be submitted through the BreEZe online system by 11:59 p.m. on that date. Missing the deadline can result in delinquent status, late fees, and a lapse in your ability to practice.
California Dental CE FAQ
Does Spear Education count toward California CE requirements?
Yes. Spear Education is an ADA CERP-recognized provider, which is one of the approved credentialing bodies the California Dental Board accepts. CE hours completed through Spear are eligible to apply toward your 50-hour requirement, subject to the live vs. non-live restrictions described above.
California Dental CE FAQ
What happens if I’m audited by the California Dental Board?
The Board conducts random CE audits monthly. During an audit, you’ll need to produce certificates of completion for all CE courses claimed during the renewal period. Courses from non-approved providers, incorrectly categorized hours, or outdated content may be rejected. California requires you to retain CE certificates for three full renewal cycles.
California Dental CE FAQ
Are there CE requirements specific to opioid prescribing?
Yes. Since January 1, 2023, California dentists must complete 2 hours of CE on the responsibilities and requirements of prescribing Schedule II controlled substances (opioids) every two-year renewal cycle. This is in addition to the standard 50-hour requirement.
This page is for informational purposes only. Always verify current requirements directly with the Dental Board of California before renewing your license.
