Massachusetts Board of Registration in Dentistry · DDS/DMD

40 hours. Every two years. On a license expiration mar31 even year cycle.

Below is exactly what Massachusetts Board of Registration in Dentistry requires: mandatory topics, exemptions, accepted credit types, and documentation rules.

Updated April 2026Sourced from MBRD~4 min read

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

Mandatory topics

Massachusetts has no state-mandated topic requirements beyond the 40-hour total.

Atlas CME tracks each of these mandatory topics against your Massachusetts 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 / controlled substances[1]
0 hrs
Biennial

Dentists holding a current Massachusetts Controlled Substances Registration (MCSR) and/or DEA registration

View sourceVerbatim from source
“You are also required to complete mandatory CEUs on safe and effective opioid prescribing/pain management each licensure cycle if you hold a current MCSR and/or DEA registration.”
234 CMR 8.00See source [1] in Primary Sources
Accepted credit

Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, Massachusetts 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 customarily accepted.
AGD PACE
AGD PACE-approved providers customarily accepted.
Board-approved credit
Approved CE per 234 CMR 8.00. Reactivation: max 50% online self-study; remaining 50% must be live in-person or live interactive webinar.Sourcehttps://www.mass.gov/info-details/continuing-education-for-dentistry[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

No formal waivers or exemptions are published for Massachusetts.

FAQ
Does Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts, and the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Dentistry licenses both under M.G.L. Chapter 112. The same 40-CEU biennial CE obligation, the same March 31 even-year renewal deadline, and the same no-carryover policy apply to every Massachusetts dentist regardless of degree title.
Are ADA CERP credits accepted in Massachusetts?
ADA CERP-recognized providers and AGD PACE-approved providers are customarily accepted by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Dentistry. The full provider acceptance list lives in 234 CMR 8.00; the verbatim rule text was not pulled into our current Layer 1 record.
Are there mandatory CE topics for dentist renewal in Massachusetts?
Yes — conditional. Dentists holding a current Massachusetts Controlled Substances Registration (MCSR) and/or federal DEA registration must complete mandatory CEUs on safe and effective opioid prescribing and pain management each cycle (specific hour count not surfaced verbatim). Other subject mandates may exist in 234 CMR 8.00 but were not surfaced in our current Layer 1 record. DEA-registered dentists are also subject to the federal MATE Act 8-hour SUD training as a separate federal obligation.
Where can I check my Massachusetts dental license renewal date?
The Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensure maintains license verification at elicensing.dpl.mass.gov/Lookup/LicenseLookup.aspx. The Massachusetts Board of Registration in Dentistry page at mass.gov/orgs/board-of-registration-in-dentistry has current CE rules 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. Massachusetts Board of Registration in Dentistry — Continuing Education
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-30
    Show verbatim text
    “You are also required to complete mandatory CEUs on safe and effective opioid prescribing/pain management each licensure cycle if you hold a current MCSR and/or DEA registration.”234 CMR 8.00

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 Massachusetts Board of Registration in Dentistry, 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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