Below is exactly what Board of Dental Examiners of Alabama requires: mandatory topics, exemptions, accepted credit types, and documentation rules.
Reviewed by Doug Doehrman, MD · Last reviewed May 12, 2026
For Dentists, 20 hours is the total CME requirement. Alabama also requires a set of one-time topics that count toward the 20-hour total.
“A dentist shall complete a minimum of one (1) hour of training in infectious disease control annually.”
“A dentist shall complete a minimum of one (1) hour of prescribing of controlled substances training annually.”
“A dentist shall complete a minimum of one (1) hour of ethical considerations in the practice of dentistry training annually.”
“A dentist shall maintain a current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) training through the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, or an equivalent program.”
These rules apply only when the trigger described under each card is met (for example, holding a state-issued controlled substance registration or treating a specific patient population). Each cites the underlying statute or rule directly.
Dentists holding an active oral conscious sedation permit
“A dentist with an active oral conscious sedation permit shall complete a minimum of two (2) hours of training related to sedation and/or anesthesia annually.”
Dentists holding any active sedation/anesthesia permit (oral conscious, parenteral, general anesthesia)
“A dentist holding an active sedation or anesthesia related permit (e.g., oral conscious sedation, parenteral sedation, general anesthesia) shall maintain a current certification in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) training through the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, or an equivalent program. For dentists with a declared pediatric specialty, Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) may be substituted for ACLS. The ACLS or PALS program shall be completed through live training.”
Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, Alabama Medical Association, or AAFP. ACGME residency or fellowship time accrues toward the requirement. Teaching or presenting accredited CME can satisfy a portion of required hours.
| Credit system | Notes |
|---|---|
Dental association courses | Training provided by national, state, district, or local dental or dental hygiene associations is recognized as approved training.Sourcehttps://admincode.legislature.state.al.us/api/rule/270-X-4-.04[1] |
CODA-accredited schools | Training provided by CODA-accredited dental or dental hygiene colleges/schools is recognized.Sourcehttps://admincode.legislature.state.al.us/api/rule/270-X-4-.04[1] |
Board-approved credit | Other courses may be submitted to the Board for pre-approval at least 30 days in advance.Sourcehttps://admincode.legislature.state.al.us/api/rule/270-X-4-.04[1] |
Physicians are responsible for retaining CME documentation and producing it on request. Requirements include course title, dates, hours, sponsoring organization, and accrediting body.
Full-time CODA-accredited postgraduate residency or specialty training enrollment exempts the dentist from the 20-hour requirement upon submission of program documentation.
Alabama-licensed dentists practicing outside Alabama are excused from annual CE while away. Returning practitioners must show CE for years practiced out-of-state, up to 5 years.
Board-granted hardship waiver/extension on written request received by September 1 of the annual cycle.
Atlas CME tracks your hours, maps them to your state requirements, and reminds you before your a calendar year oct to sep cycle renewal.
Every mandatory topic and conditional requirement above cites the underlying statute or rule. Numbered references below correspond to the bracketed citations next to each requirement.
“A dentist shall complete a minimum of one (1) hour of training in infectious disease control annually.”Ala. Admin. Code r. 270-X-4-.04(2)(a)(6) · Effective 2025-02-14
“A dentist shall complete a minimum of one (1) hour of prescribing of controlled substances training annually.”Ala. Admin. Code r. 270-X-4-.04(2)(a)(3)
“A dentist shall complete a minimum of one (1) hour of ethical considerations in the practice of dentistry training annually.”Ala. Admin. Code r. 270-X-4-.04(2)(a)(7)
“A dentist shall maintain a current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) training through the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, or an equivalent program.”Ala. Admin. Code r. 270-X-4-.04(2)(a)(2)
“A dentist with an active oral conscious sedation permit shall complete a minimum of two (2) hours of training related to sedation and/or anesthesia annually.”Ala. Admin. Code r. 270-X-4-.04(2)(a)(5)
“A dentist holding an active sedation or anesthesia related permit (e.g., oral conscious sedation, parenteral sedation, general anesthesia) shall maintain a current certification in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) training through the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, or an equivalent program. For dentists with a declared pediatric specialty, Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) may be substituted for ACLS. The ACLS or PALS program shall be completed through live training.”Ala. Admin. Code r. 270-X-4-.04(2)(a)(4)