Mississippi State Board of Dental Examiners · DDS/DMD

Mississippi CE Requirements for Dentists (DDS/DMD)

40 hours. Every two years. On a calendar year jan1 to dec31 cycle.

Updated April 2026Sourced from MSBDE

Compiled by Atlas CME from official board sources · Last updated May 5, 2026

Mandatory topics

For Dentists, 40 hours is the total CE requirement. No topic requirement applies to all Dentists in Mississippi. The conditional requirements below apply when the trigger described on each card is met.

Atlas CME tracks each of these mandatory topics against your Mississippi 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 Use[1]
3 hrs
Biennial

Licensed Mississippi dentists who prescribe controlled substances

View sourceVerbatim from source
“Licensed dentists who prescribe, administer, or dispense any controlled substance within the State of Mississippi, or who proposes to do so, must complete (3) hours of Board-approved CDE per biennial renewal period regarding the prescribing of opioids.”
MS Reg. 41 § 2.DSee source [1] in Primary Sources
Accepted credit
Credit systemNotes
ADA CERP
ADA CERP-recognized providers customarily accepted via Regulation 41 sponsor list.
AGD PACE
AGD PACE-approved providers customarily accepted.
Board-approved credit
Computer-based, video, audio, reading, and correspondence/home-study courses all accepted if sponsored/approved per Regulation 41.Sourcehttps://www.dentalboard.ms.gov/frequently-asked-questions/continuing-education-frequently-asked-questions[2]
Documentation & audit

Records retention: 3 years from completion (Reg. 41).

Waivers & exemptions

Licensees enrolled in full-time post-graduate specialty training are exempt from biennial CDE requirements.

Licensees in their first biennial renewal period are exempt from CDE requirements.

Licensees with an inactive license are exempt from the biennial CDE requirements while inactive.

FAQ
How many CE hours do Mississippi dentists need?
Mississippi dentists must obtain a minimum of 40 hours of continuing education per two-year cycle to renew their license. The reporting period runs January 1 through December 31 (calendar-aligned biennium). Dentists certify compliance on the annual renewal form and must renew online via the Board's Online Portal.
Does Mississippi 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 Mississippi, and the Mississippi State Board of Dental Examiners licenses both under Miss. Code Ann. § 73-9. The same 40-hour biennial CE obligation, the same calendar-aligned reporting period, and the same online renewal requirement apply to every Mississippi dentist regardless of degree title.
Are ADA CERP credits accepted in Mississippi?
ADA CERP-recognized providers and AGD PACE-approved providers are customarily accepted via the Regulation 41 sponsor list. Atlas has not yet confirmed the full sponsor list against the rule text. Mississippi accepts a broad range of CE formats — computer-based, video, audio, reading, and correspondence/home study courses all qualify if sponsored/approved by Regulation 41-listed organizations.
Are there mandatory CE topics for dentist renewal in Mississippi?
At the general dentist level, no — the 40-hour biennial total has no per-topic minimums for infection control, abuse reporting, or jurisprudence. Controlled-substance prescribers must additionally complete 3 hours of Board-approved CDE per biennial renewal regarding the prescribing of opioids (Reg. 41 § 2.D). DEA-registered dentists are also subject to the federal MATE Act 8-hour one-time SUD training. Sedation permit holders satisfy permit-specific CE under board sedation rules.
Are first-biennial-renewal Mississippi dentists exempt from CE?
Yes. Per MS Reg. 41 § 1.B(2), licensees in their first biennial renewal period are exempt from the CDE requirement. Two other categorical exemptions exist: full-time post-graduate specialty trainees (§ 1.B(1)) and licensees with an inactive license (§ 1.B(3)).
Where can I check my Mississippi dental license renewal date?
The Mississippi State Board of Dental Examiners' Online Portal at gateway.dentalboard.ms.gov displays Mississippi dental license status, renewal date, and CE compliance information. The board's CE FAQs page at dentalboard.ms.gov has current CE rules and reporting guidance.

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Other roles in Mississippi

CE requirements for Dentists (DDS/DMD) in other states

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. MS Title 30 Part 2301 Regulation 41 — Continuing Education
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-30
    Show verbatim text
    “Licensed dentists who prescribe, administer, or dispense any controlled substance within the State of Mississippi, or who proposes to do so, must complete (3) hours of Board-approved CDE per biennial renewal period regarding the prescribing of opioids.”MS Reg. 41 § 2.D
  2. Mississippi State Board of Dental Examiners — Continuing Education FAQs
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-30

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 Mississippi State Board of Dental Examiners, 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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