Maine Board of Dental Practice · DDS/DMD

40 hours. Every two years. On a fixed date cycle.

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

Updated May 2026Sourced from MBDP~3 min read

Reviewed by Doug Doehrman, MD · Last reviewed May 9, 2026

Mandatory topics

For Dentists, 40 hours is the total CME requirement. Maine also requires a set of one-time topics that count toward the 40-hour total.

Cpr[1]
Hrs vary
Biennial
Current BLS certification is required for dentist renewal. Up to 3 credit hours of BLS certification training completed during the license term may count toward the 40-hour CE requirement; online BLS is not accepted unless the licensee verifies hands-on instructor participation.
View sourceVerbatim from source
“No license will be renewed unless the licensee has completed 40 credit hours of continuing education directly related to dental practice during the preceding biennial license term as set forth in this subsection and has a current BLS certification.”
02-313 C.M.R. ch. 13, Section I(A)(1)See source [1] in Primary Sources
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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 / controlled substances[1]
3 hrs
Biennial

Dentists who prescribe opioid medications

View sourceVerbatim from source
“As a condition of prescribing opioid medication, at least 3 of the 40 credit hours of continuing education must be earned on the prescription of opioid medication.”
02-313 C.M.R. ch. 13, Section I(A)(2)(a)See source [1] in Primary Sources
ConditionalSedation[1]
6 hrs
Biennial

Dentists holding a sedation permit issued by the Board

View sourceVerbatim from source
“As a condition of holding a sedation permit issued by the Board, at least 6 of the 40 credit hours of continuing education must be earned in sedation and/or anesthesia, physical diagnosis, complications, and techniques.”
02-313 C.M.R. ch. 13, Section I(A)(2)(b)See source [1] in Primary Sources
Accepted credit

Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, Maine 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 is named as an accepted recognized provider pathway.Sourcehttps://www.maine.gov/sos/sites/maine.gov.sos/files/content/assets/313c013-2024-113-20-AMD-.docx[1]
AGD PACE
AGD PACE is named as an accepted recognized provider pathway.Sourcehttps://www.maine.gov/sos/sites/maine.gov.sos/files/content/assets/313c013-2024-113-20-AMD-.docx[1]
Eligible dental-practice CE
Eligible CE activities must directly relate to dental practice and fall within the activities listed in Chapter 13.Sourcehttps://www.maine.gov/sos/sites/maine.gov.sos/files/content/assets/313c013-2024-113-20-AMD-.docx[1]
Distance learning with exit exam
Distance learning such as online courses or webinars has no Chapter 13 credit-hour cap when the activity includes verification and passage of an exit examination.Sourcehttps://www.maine.gov/sos/sites/maine.gov.sos/files/content/assets/313c013-2024-113-20-AMD-.docx[1]
Limited-credit activities
max 10 hrs
No more than 10 credit hours may be claimed in any one activity or any combination of listed limited-credit activities, including teaching/guest lecturing, grand rounds, writing, prerecorded audio/video, independent study, distance learning without an exit exam, student table clinics, reading with exam, and in-service training.Sourcehttps://www.maine.gov/sos/sites/maine.gov.sos/files/content/assets/313c013-2024-113-20-AMD-.docx[1]
BLS certification training
max 3 hrs
No more than 3 credit hours of BLS certification training completed during the license term may count; online BLS is not accepted unless hands-on instructor participation is verified.Sourcehttps://www.maine.gov/sos/sites/maine.gov.sos/files/content/assets/313c013-2024-113-20-AMD-.docx[1]
ACLS/PALS certification training
max 6 hrs
No more than 6 credit hours of ACLS or PALS certification training completed during the license term may count; online ACLS/PALS is not accepted unless hands-on instructor participation is verified.Sourcehttps://www.maine.gov/sos/sites/maine.gov.sos/files/content/assets/313c013-2024-113-20-AMD-.docx[1]
Documentation & audit

Licensees must retain CE documentation for two years post-renewal; documentation is submitted only if selected for audit.

Waivers & exemptions

The Board may grant an extension of time or other waiver on written request before license expiration for prolonged illness or other extenuating circumstances, including military deployment.

First-renewal reduced load: dentists renewing for the first time complete one half of the required CE credit hours and must have current BLS certification.

Inactive status: licensees with inactive status must renew but are not required to complete CE credit hours under Chapter 13.

FAQ
What mandatory CE topics apply?
Current BLS certification is required. Opioid-prescribing dentists need at least 3 hours on opioid prescribing. Dentists holding a sedation permit need at least 6 hours in sedation and/or anesthesia, physical diagnosis, complications, and techniques.
Does BLS count toward the 40 hours?
Yes, but only up to 3 credit hours of BLS certification training completed during the license term may count. Online BLS is not accepted unless hands-on instructor participation is verified.
Are ADA CERP and AGD PACE accepted?
Yes. Chapter 13 names ADA CERP and AGD PACE among recognized continuing education provider pathways.
Are first-renewal dentists exempt?
No. First-renewal dentists complete one half of the required CE credit hours and must have current BLS certification. Triggered opioid and sedation conditions still apply if the dentist will prescribe opioids or administer sedation.

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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. 02-313 C.M.R. ch. 13 - Continuing Education
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-05-09
    Show verbatim text
    “No license will be renewed unless the licensee has completed 40 credit hours of continuing education directly related to dental practice during the preceding biennial license term as set forth in this subsection and has a current BLS certification.”02-313 C.M.R. ch. 13, Section I(A)(1) · Effective 2024-05-12
    “As a condition of prescribing opioid medication, at least 3 of the 40 credit hours of continuing education must be earned on the prescription of opioid medication.”02-313 C.M.R. ch. 13, Section I(A)(2)(a) · Effective 2024-05-12
    “As a condition of holding a sedation permit issued by the Board, at least 6 of the 40 credit hours of continuing education must be earned in sedation and/or anesthesia, physical diagnosis, complications, and techniques.”02-313 C.M.R. ch. 13, Section I(A)(2)(b) · Effective 2024-05-12

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 Maine Board of Dental Practice, 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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