Delaware Board of Dentistry and Dental Hygiene · DDS/DMD

50 hours. Every two years. Tied to your license anniversary.

Below is exactly what Delaware Board of Dentistry and Dental Hygiene requires: mandatory topics, exemptions, accepted credit types, and documentation rules.

Updated April 2026Sourced from DBDDH~5 min read

Reviewed by Doug Doehrman, MD · Last reviewed May 5, 2026

Mandatory topics

For Dentists, 50 hours is the total CME requirement. Delaware also requires a set of one-time topics that count toward the 50-hour total.

Infectious disease[1]
2 hrs
Biennial
2 of the 50 CPE hours must be in infection control courses.
View sourceVerbatim from source
“Two (2) of the 50 credit hours shall be obtained in courses covering infection control.”
24 DE Admin Code 1100 § 6.3See source [1] in Primary Sources
Cpr[1]
Hrs vary
Ongoing
Current CPR certification required every two years, IN ADDITION TO the 50-hour CPE total. The CPR course must encompass hands-on clinical participation — online courses are not accepted to satisfy the CPR requirement. Acceptable courses include those offered by the American Red Cross and American Heart Association, or approved organizations under § 6.4.
View sourceVerbatim from source
“licensees must provide evidence that they have successfully completed a current course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) every two (2) years. The CPR course must encompass hands on clinical participation. On-line courses will not be accepted to satisfy the CPR requirement.”
24 DE Admin Code 1100 § 6.3See source [1] in Primary Sources
Atlas CME tracks each of these mandatory topics against your Delaware cycle automatically. Start tracking free →
Conditional requirements

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.

ConditionalOpioid Substance Cs Prescriber[2]
2 hrs
Biennial

Delaware dentists holding a Delaware Controlled Substance Registration (CSR)

View sourceVerbatim from source
“All practitioners must attest to completion of two hours of continuing education biennially in the areas of controlled substance prescribing practices, treatment of chronic pain, or other topics related to the prescribing of controlled substances.”
DE CSAC Regs Section 3.1.3See source [2] in Primary Sources
ConditionalSedation[1]
12 hrs
Sexennial

Existing holders of an Unrestricted Permit for anesthesia

View sourceVerbatim from source
“For existing holders of an Unrestricted Permit for anesthesia, at least twelve (12) hours of the required CPE credits must be taken on an Anesthesia topic by the end of the six (6) year re-evaluation period (i.e. by the end of the third biennial licensure renewal period).”
24 DE Admin Code 1100 § 6.6.10See source [1] in Primary Sources
ConditionalSedation[1]
6 hrs
Sexennial

Existing holders of a Restricted I Permit for anesthesia

View sourceVerbatim from source
“For existing holders of a Restricted I Permit, at least six (6) hours of the required CPE credits must be taken on an Anesthesia topic by the end of the six (6) year re-evaluation period (i.e. by the end of the third biennial license renewal period).”
24 DE Admin Code 1100 § 6.6.11See source [1] in Primary Sources
Accepted credit

Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, Delaware 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 systemNotes
ADA CERP
ADA CERP-recognized providers explicitly accepted (24 DE Admin Code 1100 § 6.4.1).Sourcehttps://regulations.delaware.gov/AdminCode/title24/1100.shtml[1]
AGD PACE
AGD PACE-approved providers explicitly accepted (24 DE Admin Code 1100 § 6.4.4).Sourcehttps://regulations.delaware.gov/AdminCode/title24/1100.shtml[1]
Board-approved credit
Other approved providers per § 6.4: ADHA and constituents/components, ADAA and constituents/components, recognized national/regional/state/local dental and dental hygiene specialty organizations, recognized dental and dental hygiene study clubs, accredited dental and dental hygiene CPE programs from dental schools, approved hospital programs, and other organizations as the Board may approve.Sourcehttps://regulations.delaware.gov/AdminCode/title24/1100.shtml[1]
Self-study (max 30 hrs)
max 30 hrs
a maximum of 30 hours of the 50-hour biennial total may be satisfied by self-study. Within this cap, no more than 10 hours may be self-study WITHOUT testing (textbooks, dental tape journals, audio-visual materials), and a maximum of 20 hours may be self-study WITH test and certificate of completion (journals, textbooks, video/audio, mail-in courses, non-live internet courses).Sourcehttps://regulations.delaware.gov/AdminCode/title24/1100.shtml[1]
Practice management/self-improvement (max 10 hrs)
max 10 hrs
Practice management or personal self-improvement courses limited to a total of 10 hours per 2-year period.Sourcehttps://regulations.delaware.gov/AdminCode/title24/1100.shtml[1]
Teaching/presenting (max 10 hrs)
max 10 hrs
a dentist employed as a faculty member in a recognized school may earn up to 10 hours per year (§ 6.6.1). Course presenter credit: up to 10 hours per 2-year period for preparation and presentation, one-time per course (§ 6.6.2).Sourcehttps://regulations.delaware.gov/AdminCode/title24/1100.shtml[1]
Volunteer pro bono (max 10 hrs)
max 10 hrs
1 hour of credit per hour of patient service, up to a maximum of 10 hours per biennium. Care must be provided in conjunction with a non-profit entity or event without compensation.Sourcehttps://regulations.delaware.gov/AdminCode/title24/1100.shtml[1]
Documentation & audit

Physicians are responsible for retaining CME documentation and producing it on request. Requirements include course title, dates, hours, sponsoring organization, and accrediting body.

Waivers & exemptions

First-renewal full exemption — if as of May 31st of the renewal year a licensee has been licensed less than 1 year, zero hours of CPE are required for license renewal.

Reduced first-renewal load — licensees who are 1 or more but less than 2 years from initial licensure must present one-half of the required CPE (25 hours).

Hardship/extenuating circumstance — the Board may grant exemptions in unusual or extraordinary circumstances (e.g., prolonged illness, extended absence from the country). Licensees must petition the Board; should the Board deny the request, the licensee must complete the requirements.

FAQ
Does Delaware treat DDS and DMD differently for CE purposes?
No. The Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) and Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degrees are equivalent in Delaware, and the Delaware Board of Dentistry and Dental Hygiene licenses both under 24 Del. C. § 1100. The same 50-hour biennial CPE obligation, the same 2-hour infection control mandate, and the same CPR certification requirement apply to every Delaware dentist regardless of degree title.
Are ADA CERP credits accepted in Delaware?
The Delaware Board of Dentistry and Dental Hygiene customarily accepts CE from ADA CERP-recognized providers and AGD PACE-approved providers, alongside courses from CODA-accredited dental schools and dental specialty associations. The full provider acceptance list lives in Section 6.0 of 24 DE Admin Code 1100; that section was not pulled verbatim in our current Layer 1 record, so dentists with edge-case CE should confirm acceptance with the board.
Are there mandatory CE topics for dentist renewal in Delaware?
Yes. Every Delaware dentist must complete at least 2 hours of infection control CPE per biennial cycle and maintain current CPR certification. Other subject mandates may exist in Section 6.0 of 24 DE Admin Code 1100 but were not pulled verbatim into our current Layer 1 record — dentists should consult the board's CE page directly for the complete topic list.
Where can I check my Delaware dental license renewal date?
The Delaware Division of Professional Regulation maintains license verification at delpros.delaware.gov/OH_VerifyLicense. The Board of Dentistry and Dental Hygiene page at dpr.delaware.gov/boards/dental displays current CE requirements and renewal information.

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Sources & Citations

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.

  1. 24 DE Admin Code 1100 — Board of Dentistry and Dental Hygiene
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-05-05
    Show verbatim text
    “Two (2) of the 50 credit hours shall be obtained in courses covering infection control.”24 DE Admin Code 1100 § 6.3
    “licensees must provide evidence that they have successfully completed a current course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) every two (2) years. The CPR course must encompass hands on clinical participation. On-line courses will not be accepted to satisfy the CPR requirement.”24 DE Admin Code 1100 § 6.3
    “For existing holders of an Unrestricted Permit for anesthesia, at least twelve (12) hours of the required CPE credits must be taken on an Anesthesia topic by the end of the six (6) year re-evaluation period (i.e. by the end of the third biennial licensure renewal period).”24 DE Admin Code 1100 § 6.6.10
    “For existing holders of a Restricted I Permit, at least six (6) hours of the required CPE credits must be taken on an Anesthesia topic by the end of the six (6) year re-evaluation period (i.e. by the end of the third biennial license renewal period).”24 DE Admin Code 1100 § 6.6.11
  2. Delaware Controlled Substance Advisory Committee Regulations Section 3.1.3
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-05-13
    Show verbatim text
    “All practitioners must attest to completion of two hours of continuing education biennially in the areas of controlled substance prescribing practices, treatment of chronic pain, or other topics related to the prescribing of controlled substances.”DE CSAC Regs Section 3.1.3

This page is provided for general educational purposes and reflects the best available information as of the last reviewed date above. CE requirements change. Atlas CME is not affiliated with the Delaware Board of Dentistry and Dental Hygiene, or any other state dental board, licensing authority, or professional organization. Dentists are solely responsible for verifying their own current CE requirements directly with their state dental board before relying on any information presented here.

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