If you hold a North Carolina dental license, the State Board of Dental Examiners requires 15 hours of continuing education each calendar year, all of which may be home study. North Carolina mandates 1 hour of substance abuse/mental health every two years and, for prescribers, 1 hour of controlled-substance prescribing each year. Below is the full breakdown of what you need, what counts, and when it is due.
15 hours / year
Fifteen CE hours each calendar year (annual).
Home study
All 15 hours may be completed by home study.
Substance abuse
1 hour on substance abuse/mental health every two years.
Controlled substances
1 hour each year for dentists who prescribe controlled substances.
How many CE hours North Carolina dentists need
North Carolina requires 15 hours of continuing education each calendar year, all of which may be home study.
Mandated subject requirements
- Substance abuse and mental health: 1 hour every two calendar years.
- Controlled substances: 1 hour each year for prescribers.
- CPR: current certification.
Renewal cycle and deadlines
North Carolina dental licenses renew annually by January 31. Complete and document your 15 hours each calendar year.
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View pricingNorth Carolina Dentists CME at a glance
- Substance Abuse & Mental Health1 hr · biennial
1 hour on substance abuse and mental health every two calendar years.
- Controlled Substance Prescribing1 hr · annual
Dentists who prescribe controlled substances must complete 1 hour each year on controlled-substance prescribing practices and prescribing for chronic pain management.
- CPR CertificationRequired · ongoing
Dentists must maintain current CPR certification.
Always confirm with your licensing board
The North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners requires 15 hours of continuing education each calendar year, all of which may be home study. Licenses renew annually by January 31.
CE requirements change. Confirm current rules with the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners before relying on these figures.
Source: North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners. Board website · Researched as of 2026-06-01 · CME rules change; this is administrative guidance, not legal or CME-accreditation advice.
North Carolina Dentist CE Requirements — Frequently Asked Questions
How many CE hours do North Carolina dentists need?
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15 hours every year.
Can North Carolina dental CE be home study?
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Yes — all 15 hours may be completed by home study.
Do North Carolina prescribers need controlled-substance CE?
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Yes — 1 hour each year on controlled-substance prescribing practices.
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