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State of Texas · Official Continuing Education Requirement

Continuing Education Requirements for Texas Licensed Dentists

Texas State Board of Dental Examiners22 TAC §104 · Rule current as of Nov 2026

Texas Dentist continuing education register

Required hours
24 hours of acceptable continuing education for each biennial (two-year) license renewal.
22 TAC §104.1
Renewal cycle
Biennial — dental licenses expire on the last day of the licensee's birth month and renew every two years.
22 TAC §101.5
Acceptable format
Up to 8 hours self-study — audio, video, correspondence and reading courses. Live interactive webinars count as classroom hours.
22 TAC §104.1(2)(D)
Acceptable subjects
At least 16 hours must be technical or scientific courses related to clinical patient care; up to 8 hours may be risk management, record-keeping and ethics.
22 TAC §104.1(2)(A), (C)
Accepted providers
Board-accepted providers, including ADA CERP and AGD PACE program-approved providers.
22 TAC §104.1(1); §104.2
Mandatory topics
4 hours of pain management and opioid prescribing each renewal (min. 2 each year), plus an HHSC-approved human trafficking prevention course within the 24 hours.
22 TAC §104.1(2)(B), (3)
Record retention
3 years — keep proof of completion for at least three years.
22 TAC §104.5

Source. 22 TAC Chapters 101, 104, 110 and 111; Tex. Occ. Code Chapters 116 and 257. Requirements are set by TSBDE and may change; licensees remain responsible for confirming current rules at tsbde.texas.gov. View the current rule at tsbde.texas.gov (opens in a new tab)

One NCEF course, built for the 24-hour requirement above.

Texas Dentist CE Package · certificate issued on completion and retained in your account for the 3-year record period.

The rule, translated

What 22 TAC Chapter 104 requires — section by section

Statute

24 hours of acceptable continuing education for each biennial (two-year) license renewal.

22 TAC §104.1

In plain English

Texas dentists need 24 hours of continuing education every 2 years, under 22 TAC Chapter 104.

Statute

Up to 8 hours may be self-study, including audio, video, correspondence and reading courses. Live interactive webinars count as classroom hours. A proposed amendment published September 25, 2026 would allow all 24 hours as self-study; it has not been adopted.

22 TAC §104.1(2)(D)

In plain English

Yes. Up to 8 of the 24 hours may be self-study.

Statute

Dentists whose practice includes direct patient care must complete at least 2 hours each year and 4 hours each renewal period on safe pain management and opioid prescribing. These hours count toward the 16 technical/scientific hours.

22 TAC §104.1(2)(B); Tex. Occ. Code §257.005(b-1)

In plain English

If you treat patients, take 4 hours of pain management and opioid prescribing each renewal — at least 2 each year.

Statute

A human trafficking prevention course approved by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) must be completed within the 24 hours each renewal.

22 TAC §104.1(3); Tex. Occ. Code §116.003

In plain English

Include one HHSC-approved human trafficking course in your 24 hours every renewal.

Statute

Keep proof of completion for at least three years. The Board randomly audits licensees for CE compliance. Selected licensees are notified before expiration and must submit proof before renewing.

22 TAC §104.5; §104.6

In plain English

Keep your certificates for three years in case the Board audits you.

Statute

Dental licenses expire on the last day of the licensee's birth month and renew every two years.

22 TAC §101.5

In plain English

Last day of your birth month. Licenses renew every 2 years.

Statute

OSHA annual updates, CPR/BLS, and practice-management or finance courses do not count toward the 24 hours.

22 TAC §104.1(2)(E)–(F)

In plain English

OSHA updates, CPR/BLS and practice-management courses don't count toward your hours.