If you hold a District of Columbia dental license, the DC Board of Dentistry requires 30 hours of continuing education every two years. Within that total, DC mandates infection control, ethics, LGBTQ cultural competency, and (for prescribers) controlled-substance CE. All hours may be completed online through approved providers. Below is the full breakdown of what you need, what counts, and when it is due.
30 hours / 2 years
Thirty CE hours each biennial renewal cycle.
Infection control & ethics
2 hours infection control and 1 hour ethics each cycle.
LGBTQ competency
2 hours of LGBTQ cultural competency each cycle.
Controlled substances
2 hours for prescribers on opioid/controlled-substance practices.
How many CE hours DC dentists need
The District of Columbia requires 30 hours of continuing education every two years. All hours may be completed through approved internet courses.
Mandated subject requirements
- Infection control: 2 hours each cycle.
- Ethics: 1 hour each cycle.
- LGBTQ cultural competency: 2 hours each cycle.
- Controlled substances: 2 hours for prescribers each cycle.
Renewal cycle and deadlines
DC dental licenses renew every two years. Complete and document your 30 hours before your renewal date.
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View pricingDistrict of Columbia Dentists CME at a glance
- Infection Control2 hrs
At least 2 hours in infection control each cycle.
- Ethics1 hr
At least 1 hour in ethics each cycle.
- LGBTQ Cultural Competency2 hrs
At least 2 hours in cultural competency or specialized clinical training focusing on patients who identify as LGBTQ each cycle.
- Controlled Substances & Opioid Prescribing2 hrs
Dentists authorized to prescribe controlled substances must complete 2 hours on the abuse and misuse of controlled substances and opioid prescribing practices each cycle.
Always confirm with your licensing board
The District of Columbia Board of Dentistry requires 30 hours of continuing education every two years. All hours may be completed through approved internet courses, and the Board accepts ADA-approved providers.
CE requirements change. Confirm current rules with the District of Columbia Board of Dentistry before relying on these figures.
Source: District of Columbia Board of Dentistry. Board website · Researched as of 2026-06-01 · CME rules change; this is administrative guidance, not legal or CME-accreditation advice.
District of Columbia Dentist CE Requirements — Frequently Asked Questions
How many CE hours do DC dentists need?
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30 hours every two years.
Does DC require LGBTQ cultural competency CE?
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Yes — 2 hours of LGBTQ cultural competency or specialized clinical training each cycle.
Can DC dental CE be done online?
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Yes — all hours may be completed through approved internet courses.
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