Below is exactly what Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners requires: mandatory topics, exemptions, accepted credit types, and documentation rules.
Reviewed by Doug Doehrman, MD · Last reviewed May 8, 2026
For Dentists, 50 hours is the total CME requirement. Arkansas also requires a set of one-time topics that count toward the 50-hour total.
“All dentists and dental hygienists must report completion of at least one (1) continuing education hour dealing with infection control for the biennial license renewal.”
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.
Staff monitoring patients undergoing deep sedation or general anesthesia who hold a Sedation Assistant permit
“To renew the Sedation Assistant permit biennially, the permit holder must show proof of a minimum of two hours of continuing education related to office emergency management or direct care of sedated patients.”
Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, Arkansas 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 |
|---|---|
Acceptable dental CE | Courses directly related to patient services or dental practice/clinic management are acceptable; the Board does not preapprove courses.SourceAR Dental Practice Act Art. XIV[2] |
Home study with post-test | Home study courses are accepted if they include a post-test and certificate of completion.SourceAR Dental Practice Act Art. XIV[2] |
Physicians are responsible for retaining CME documentation and producing it on request. Requirements include course title, dates, hours, sponsoring organization, and accrediting body.
A deployed uniformed service member or spouse receives a full CE exemption until 180 days after the service member returns from deployment.
Atlas CME tracks your hours, maps them to your state requirements, and reminds you before your your license anniversary 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.
“All dentists and dental hygienists must report completion of at least one (1) continuing education hour dealing with infection control for the biennial license renewal.”17 CAR § 115-1503(b)(1)
“To renew the Sedation Assistant permit biennially, the permit holder must show proof of a minimum of two hours of continuing education related to office emergency management or direct care of sedated patients.”AR Dental Practice Act Art. XIII(G)