States with Fewest Continuing Education Hours for Dentist (2026)

The state with the lowest requirement is North Carolina at 15 hours. The highest is South Dakota at 100 hours. The national average is 39 hours.

Lowest

15 hours

North Carolina

Average

39 hours

across 51 states

Median

40 hours

37 states at or below

Range

85 hours

spread across states

#	State	CE Hours / Cycle	Renewal Fee	Renewal Cycle
#1	North Carolina	15 hours	$250	Annual (deadline January 31 each year; online system open November 1 – March 31)
#1	Virginia	15 hours	$167	Annual (per 18VAC60-21 regulations)
#3	Wyoming	16 hours	$200	2 years
#4	Alabama	20 hours	$250	Annual; licenses expire October 1 each year
#4	Indiana	20 hours	$140	2 years (expires March 1 of even-numbered years)
#6	Texas	24 hours	$458.50/2yr	2 years (biennial), with exception for faculty licenses
#7	Connecticut	25 hours	$575	2 years
#8	South Carolina	28 hours	$280	2 years (biennial)
#9	Colorado	30 hours	$225	2 years
#9	District of Columbia	30 hours	$155	2 years (licenses expire December 31 of each odd-numbered year per 17 DCMR §4201.1)
#9	Florida	30 hours	$300	2 years (biennial); current cycle expires February 28, 2026; next cycle expires February 28, 2028
#9	Idaho	30 hours	$0	2 years
#9	Iowa	30 hours	$315	2 years (biennial)
#9	Kentucky	30 hours	$295	2 years (biennial); all licenses expire December 31 of odd-numbered years
#9	Louisiana	30 hours	$590	2 years (biennial)
#9	Maryland	30 hours	$450	2 years
#9	Nebraska	30 hours	$200	2 years (licenses renewable March 1 of odd-numbered years)
#9	Pennsylvania	30 hours	$366	Biennial (2 years)
#9	Utah	30 hours	$73	2 years (biennial)
#9	Vermont	30 hours	$655	2 years
#9	Wisconsin	30 hours	$123	2 years (biennial); renewal date is 09/30 of each odd-numbered year
#22	Alaska	32 hours	$350	2 years (biennial)
#22	North Dakota	32 hours	$475	2 years
#24	West Virginia	35 hours	$167	Annual
#25	Hawaii	38 hours	$301	2 years (renew by December 31 of every odd-numbered year)
#26	Georgia	40 hours	$260	2 years (biennial; licenses expire December 31 of odd-numbered years)
#26	Maine	40 hours	$550	2 years
#26	Massachusetts	40 hours	$360	2 years
#26	Mississippi	40 hours	$200	2 years
#26	Nevada	40 hours	$600	2 years (biannual)
#26	New Hampshire	40 hours	$170	2 years (biennially, February–April of even-numbered years)
#26	New Jersey	40 hours	$375	2 years
#26	Ohio	40 hours	$450	2 years
#26	Oklahoma	40 hours	$200 (if postmarked by December 31; late fee doubles to $400)	Annual (expires December 31 each year)
#26	Oregon	40 hours	$490	2 years
#26	Rhode Island	40 hours	$300	Consistent with fee schedule structure (fees assessed on a license cycle basis; dental renewal cycle is biennial based on fee regulation context and 'Renewal notices are sent out 60 days before your expiration date' language)
#26	Tennessee	40 hours	$198	2 years
#38	Illinois	48 hours	$300	3 years
#39	Arkansas	50 hours	$300	2 years (biennial)
#39	California	50 hours	$650/2yr	2 years (biennial, expires last day of birth month every two years)
#39	Delaware	50 hours	$300	2 years
#39	Minnesota	50 hours	$341	2 years (biennial)
#39	Missouri	50 hours	$250	2 years
#44	Kansas	60 hours	$325	2 years
#44	Michigan	60 hours	$296	3 years
#44	Montana	60 hours	$336	3 years
#44	New Mexico	60 hours	$580	3 years
#44	New York	60 hours	$645/3yr	3 years
#49	Arizona	63 hours	$650	3 years (triennial)
#49	Washington	63 hours	$435	2 years
#51	South Dakota	100 hours	$200	Annual

CE hours are per renewal cycle as reported by state licensing boards. States showing 0 hours may not require continuing education or may have alternative requirements. Click any state for full details.

Key Takeaways

•37 states come in at or below the median of 40 hours
•The range spans from 15 hours to 100 hours — a 85 hours spread
•States in the South tend to have lower values (avg 32 hours), while Midwest states average 46 hours

Frequently Asked Questions

Which state requires the fewest continuing education hours for dentists?

North Carolina requires the fewest CE hours at 15 hours per renewal cycle. The national average is 39 hours.

How much do dentist licensing requirements vary between states?

There is significant variation across the 51 states with data. Values range from 15 hours to 100 hours, with a median of 40 hours.

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