If you hold a Pennsylvania dental license, the State Board of Dentistry requires 30 hours of continuing education for biennial renewal. Within that total, Pennsylvania mandates 2 hours of child abuse recognition and reporting and, for prescribers, 2 hours of Act 124 opioid CE. 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.
Child abuse
2 hours of child abuse recognition and reporting each cycle.
Opioid (Act 124)
2 hours for dentists who hold a DEA registration.
First cycle exempt
CE generally not required for the first renewal.
How many CE hours Pennsylvania dentists need
Pennsylvania requires 30 hours of continuing education for biennial renewal.
Mandated subject requirements
- Child abuse recognition and reporting: 2 hours each cycle.
- Opioid education (Act 124): 2 hours for DEA registrants/prescribers.
Renewal cycle and deadlines
Pennsylvania dental licenses renew every two years. New licensees are generally exempt from CE for the first renewal but must complete 3 hours of child abuse recognition CE at initial licensure.
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View pricingPennsylvania Dentists CME at a glance
- Child Abuse Recognition & Reporting2 hrs
2 hours of board-approved CE in child abuse recognition and reporting each cycle (3 hours for initial licensure).
- Opioid Education (Act 124)2 hrs
2 hours of Act 124 opioid CE for dentists who hold a DEA registration or prescribe controlled substances. DEA registrants also face a separate one-time 8-hour federal MATE Act requirement.
Always confirm with your licensing board
The Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry requires 30 hours of continuing education for biennial renewal, including child abuse recognition and, for prescribers, opioid CE.
CE requirements change. Confirm current rules with the Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry before relying on these figures.
Source: Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry. Board website · Researched as of 2026-06-01 · CME rules change; this is administrative guidance, not legal or CME-accreditation advice.
Pennsylvania Dentist CE Requirements — Frequently Asked Questions
How many CE hours do Pennsylvania dentists need?
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30 hours every two years.
Does Pennsylvania require child abuse training?
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Yes — 2 hours of child abuse recognition and reporting each cycle.
Do Pennsylvania prescribers need opioid CE?
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Yes — 2 hours of Act 124 opioid CE for DEA registrants and prescribers.
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