Look up a license
Match the name or license number. Check status, expiration, and any restrictions shown.
License Verification Covers: California dental licensing board.California dental licensing board
California Dental CE Requirements
California dentists need 50 units of continuing education every 2 years.
Need your license record? Jump to lookup, verification & renewal ↓Free CE courses ↓Exam preparation ↓
At a glance
California dental license renewal
| Licenses covered | Dentist (DDS/DMD) [1] |
|---|---|
| CE required for renewal | Yes [1] |
| Hours per CE period | 50 units [1] |
| CE period | Every 2 years [1] |
| Renewal and reporting | Licensees must complete the required number of continuing education units biennially for their license or permit type (50 units for dentists, 25 units for registered dental assistants). [1] |
| State-mandated topics | Check the board’s full topic requirements |
| What CE counts | Providers offering courses must be a Continuing Education Registered Provider licensed by the Dental Board of California, or approved by the American Dental Association Continuing Education Recognition Program (CERP) or the Academy of General Dentistry Program Approval for Continuing Education (PACE). [1] |
This summary covers the licenses listed above. The topics below are selected verified requirements; consult the board’s full rules for all subjects and conditions.
Good to know
- Dental licensees renewing for the first time are exempt from continuing education requirements. [1]
Rules change, and your own license record decides your deadline. Confirm with the California dental licensing board ↗ before you renew.
Your next step
Look up. Verify. Renew.
Verify a credential
A public search may be enough for a status check. Another board or employer may require a verification sent directly by the issuer.
Check verification instructions Confirm the recipient’s required format and any fee.Renew your license
Confirm your due date, complete the required education, and submit to the licensing authority.
Renew a License or Permit Covers: California dental licensing board.Renewal at a glance
| Credential | Dentist, dental hygienist |
|---|---|
| Renewal cycle | Confirm the cycle and expiration date for your specific license with the board. |
| Verified fees | A current fee has not been confirmed in this guide. Check the board’s fee schedule before paying. |
| Renewal application | Renew a License or Permit |
Fees can differ for active, inactive, late, and reinstatement applications. Your official license record controls your deadline.
Source review dates · 2 sources
Dates show when we retrieved the source pages. They do not certify a person’s license, guarantee a portal is online, or establish that every renewal rule was reviewed.
- State Board Contact Retrieved Oct 13, 2026
- Dental Board of California Retrieved Oct 13, 2026
Free courses that count toward the hours
Free CE accepted in California
The board accepts continuing education accredited by AGD PACE [1]. These current free courses state that accreditation. State-mandated topics can require a specific approved course, so check those separately.
Colgate Oral Health NetworkFree
Available on demand10 Radiologic diagnoses every dentist should know Part 1
A Colgate Oral Health Network recorded webinar on “10 Radiologic diagnoses every dentist should know Part 1” for dental professionals. Includes an evaluation and CE assessment.
Checked Oct 23, 2026
Colgate Oral Health NetworkFree
Available on demand10 Radiologic diagnoses every dentist should know Part 2
A Colgate Oral Health Network recorded webinar on “10 Radiologic diagnoses every dentist should know Part 2” for dental professionals. Includes an evaluation and CE assessment.
Checked Oct 23, 2026
Colgate Oral Health NetworkFree
Available on demand5 Steps to Practicing Dentistry Pain-free
A Colgate Oral Health Network recorded webinar on “5 Steps to Practicing Dentistry Pain-free” for dental professionals. Includes an evaluation and CE assessment.
Checked Oct 23, 2026
Colgate Oral Health NetworkFree
Available on demandA Dental and Dental Hygiene Faculty Webinar-Preparing for Gen Z: Technology, Tech Shame, and the Workplace
A Colgate Oral Health Network recorded webinar on “A Dental and Dental Hygiene Faculty Webinar-Preparing for Gen Z: Technology, Tech Shame, and the Workplace” for dental professionals. Includes an evaluation and CE assessment.
Checked Oct 23, 2026
Colgate Oral Health NetworkFree
Available on demandA Palette of Plant-based Dietary Patterns: How do they Impact Oral Health?
A Colgate Oral Health Network recorded webinar on “A Palette of Plant-based Dietary Patterns: How do they Impact Oral Health?” for dental professionals. Includes an evaluation and CE assessment.
Checked Oct 23, 2026
Colgate Oral Health NetworkFree
Available on demandA Role for Oral Care in the Prevention of Hospital-Associated Pneumonia
A Colgate Oral Health Network reading activity on “A Role for Oral Care in the Prevention of Hospital-Associated Pneumonia” for dental professionals. Includes an evaluation and CE assessment.
Checked Oct 23, 2026
Colgate Oral Health NetworkFree
Available on demandA smile makeover; going from Point A to Point B
A Colgate Oral Health Network reading activity on “A smile makeover; going from Point A to Point B” for dental professionals. Includes an evaluation and CE assessment.
Checked Oct 23, 2026
Colgate Oral Health NetworkFree
Available on demandAccelerating Best Practice in Medical-Dental Integration
A Colgate Oral Health Network recorded webinar on “Accelerating Best Practice in Medical-Dental Integration” for dental professionals. Includes an evaluation and CE assessment.
Checked Oct 23, 2026
Colgate Oral Health NetworkFree
Available on demandAchieving Sustainable Behavior Change
A Colgate Oral Health Network recorded webinar on “Achieving Sustainable Behavior Change” for dental professionals. Includes an evaluation and CE assessment.
Checked Oct 23, 2026
Your next credential
Free exam preparation for dental professionals
Explore California and national exam practice for your profession on OpenExamPrep.
OpenExamPrepFree exam preparationThese are exam-preparation resources, separate from continuing education credit. Exam registration fees and eligibility are set by the exam sponsor.
Questions
California dental CE, answered
How many CE hours do California dentists need?
California dentists need 50 units of continuing education every 2 years. Licensees must complete the required number of continuing education units biennially for their license or permit type (50 units for dentists, 25 units for registered dental assistants).
Does California require specific CE topics for dentists?
A complete topic list is not verified in this guide. Check the California dental licensing board for mandated subjects, live instruction and other conditions for your credential.
Do free online CE courses count in California?
Providers offering courses must be a Continuing Education Registered Provider licensed by the Dental Board of California, or approved by the American Dental Association Continuing Education Recognition Program (CERP) or the Academy of General Dentistry Program Approval for Continuing Education (PACE). Free courses accredited by AGD PACE are listed on this page; a state-mandated topic may need a specific approved course.
Sources & verification
Every fact above links to the official page it comes from. We fetched each page on the date shown and confirmed the exact wording below appears on it.
- Continuing Education - Dental Board of California ↗www.dbc.ca.gov · HTML · Retrieved Oct 28, 2026
Quoted wording (7)
“following total unit requirements shall apply: License type Units Dentist 50 Dentist Providing Uncompensated Practice 30 Oral Maxillofacial Surgery Permit 50 General Anesthesia Permit 24 Moderate Sedation Permit 15 Oral Conscious Sedation”
“following total unit requirements shall apply: License type Units Dentist 50 Dentist Providing Uncompensated Practice 30 Oral Maxillofacial Surgery Permit 50 General Anesthesia Permit 24 Moderate Sedation Permit 15 Oral Conscious Sedation”
“following total unit requirements shall apply: License type Units Dentist 50 Dentist Providing Uncompensated Practice 30 Oral Maxillofacial Surgery Permit 50 General Anesthesia Permit 24 Moderate Sedation Permit 15 Oral Conscious Sedation”
“limited to, the issuance of a citation and fine, you must complete the required number of continuing education units biennially for your license/permit type. As outlined in Title 16, California Code of Regulations, Sections 1016 and 1017. Licensees are required to retain certificates of course completion that were issued”
“limited to, the issuance of a citation and fine, you must complete the required number of continuing education units biennially for your license/permit type. As outlined in Title 16, California Code of Regulations, Sections 1016 and 1017. Licensees are required to retain certificates of course completion that were issued”
“Continuing Education Recognition Program (CERP) or the Academy of General Dentistry's Program Approval for Continuing Education (PACE). Each individual course is not approved by the Board. Completion of the mandatory courses: Basic Life Support (BLS) course provided by the American Red Cross (ARC)”
“course for a period of three (3) renewal periods. Dental licensees renewing for the first time are exempt from continuing education requirements. Beginning January 1, 2023, CE for retired dentists in only uncompensated practice shall include the mandatory courses and courses directly related to the delivery”