Nevada State Board of Dental Examiners · DDS/DMD

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

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

Updated May 2026Sourced from NSBDE~5 min read

Compiled by Atlas CME from official board sources · Last updated July 9, 2026

Mandatory topics

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

General[1]
30 hrs
Biennial
At least 30 of the 40 biennial hours must be in approved clinical subjects; annual renewers need at least 15 clinical hours annually.
View sourceVerbatim from source
“In completing the hours of continuing education required pursuant to [NAC 631.173](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NAC/NAC-631.html#NAC631Sec173), a dentist or dental therapist must annually complete at least 15 hours in clinical subjects approved pursuant to subsection 1 or biennially complete at least 30 hours in clinical subjects approved pursuant to subsection 1, as applicable, based on the renewal period set forth in [NRS 631.330](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-631.html#NRS631Sec330) for the type of license held by the dentist or dental therapist, as applicable.”
NAC 631.175(2) — current rule (R072-22, 11-15-2024) names 'a dentist or dental therapist'See source [1] in Primary Sources
Infectious Disease[1]
4 hrs
Biennial
Minimum 2 hours annually (or 4 hours biennially) of infection control compliance CE.
View sourceVerbatim from source
“a dentist, dental therapist or dental hygienist must annually complete at least 2 hours in the clinical subject of infection control in accordance with the provisions of the guidelines adopted by reference in [NAC 631.178](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NAC/NAC-631.html#NAC631Sec178) or biennially complete at least 4 hours in the clinical subject of infection control in accordance with the provisions of the guidelines adopted by reference in [NAC 631.178](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NAC/NAC-631.html#NAC631Sec178), as applicable, based on the renewal period set forth in [NRS\\ 631.330](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-631.html#NRS631Sec330) for the type of license held by the dentist, dental therapist or dental hygienist.”
NAC 631.175(4) — current rule (R072-22, 11-15-2024) names 'a dentist, dental therapist or dental hygienist'See source [1] in Primary Sources
CPR / BLS[2]
0 hrs
Biennial
Current CPR, ACLS, or PALS certification is required; the Board FAQ says online certification is not accepted and CPR hours may not be used to satisfy CE credits.
View sourceVerbatim from source
“Board Regulations require that licensees maintain CURRENT CPR, ACLS, or PALS certification. If the certification is effective for more than a one-year period, then no up-date is necessary until the certification expires. However, current certification dates must be submitted each time you renew. In addition, any course taken, pursuant to NAC 631.173, subsection 3, must be taught by a certified instructor. Online certification is NOT accepted. CPR hours may not be included in satisfying the required CE credits for renewal.”
NAC 631.173(3); Board FAQSee source [2] 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/Substance Use[1]
2 hrs
Biennial

Dentists registered to dispense controlled substances

View sourceVerbatim from source
“a dentist who is registered to dispense controlled substances pursuant to [NRS 453.231](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-453.html#NRS453Sec231) must complete at least 2 hours of training relating specifically to the misuse and abuse of controlled substances, the prescribing of opioids or addiction during each period of licensure.”
NAC 631.175(5)See source [1] in Primary Sources
ConditionalSedation & Anesthesia[1]
6 hrs
Biennial

Dentists holding a general anesthesia permit or moderate sedation permit

View sourceVerbatim from source
“Every 2 years, the holder of a general anesthesia permit or moderate sedation permit must complete at least 6 hours in courses of study that specifically relate to anesthesia or sedation, as applicable, before the permit may be renewed.”
NAC 631.2256See source [1] in Primary Sources
Accepted credit

Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, Nevada 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
American Dental Association and affiliated societies
Courses approved by the American Dental Association or its affiliated societies are accepted without separate Board approval.SourceNAC 631.173(5)(a) (was (4)(a) before R072-22 11-15-2024 renumber)[1]
Academy of General Dentistry
Courses approved by the Academy of General Dentistry are accepted without separate Board approval.SourceNAC 631.173(5)(c) (was (4)(c) before R072-22 11-15-2024 renumber)[1]
Board-approved credit
Other courses must be Board-approved unless from a pre-approved provider category.SourceNAC 631.173(5) (was (4) before R072-22 11-15-2024 renumber; now names dental therapy)[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

Holders of an inactive license, or a license that is retired or has a disability, are exempt from the continuing education requirement. If the holder applies to reactivate the license, proof of continuing education for the year in which the license is restored to active status must be submitted.

FAQ
Does Nevada treat DDS and DMD differently for CE purposes?
No. DDS and DMD are equivalent dental degrees, and the Nevada State Board of Dental Examiners applies identical CE rules to both. Degree type does not affect hours, mandatory subjects, or sedation permit obligations.
Are ADA CERP credits accepted in Nevada?
NAC 631.173 pre-approves courses approved by the American Dental Association and its affiliated societies and by the Academy of General Dentistry, among other provider categories. The current primary text does not name ADA CERP or AGD PACE by trade name, so the safer compliance framing is to confirm that the course fits one of the rule's named provider categories or has separate Board approval.
Are there mandatory CE topics for dentist renewal in Nevada?
Yes. Every Nevada dentist must complete a minimum of 15 hours annually (30 biennially) in clinical subjects and a minimum of 2 hours annually (4 biennially) in infection control. Dentists with controlled substance registrations must add 2 hours of CE per licensure period on the misuse and abuse of controlled substances, opioid prescribing, or addiction. General anesthesia and moderate sedation permit holders must complete 6 hours every 2 years in anesthesia- or sedation-specific study before permit renewal.
Are any Nevada dentists exempt from the continuing education requirement?
Yes. Per NRS 631.343, a holder of an inactive license, or a license that is retired or has a disability, is exempt from the continuing education requirement entirely. This is a statutory exemption separate from the NAC hour-and-topic rules. Proof of continuing education for the year of reactivation must be submitted if the holder later applies to restore the license to active status.
Where can I check my Nevada dental license renewal date?
The Nevada State Board of Dental Examiners maintains license records at dental.nv.gov, with online verification searches available. Nevada operates a renewal portal for online license renewal and CE attestation.

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Other roles in Nevada

Dentists (DDS/DMD) CME requirements 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. Nevada Administrative Code Chapter 631 - Dentistry
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-05-11
    Show verbatim text
    “In completing the hours of continuing education required pursuant to [NAC 631.173](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NAC/NAC-631.html#NAC631Sec173), a dentist or dental therapist must annually complete at least 15 hours in clinical subjects approved pursuant to subsection 1 or biennially complete at least 30 hours in clinical subjects approved pursuant to subsection 1, as applicable, based on the renewal period set forth in [NRS 631.330](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-631.html#NRS631Sec330) for the type of license held by the dentist or dental therapist, as applicable.”NAC 631.175(2) — current rule (R072-22, 11-15-2024) names 'a dentist or dental therapist'
    “a dentist, dental therapist or dental hygienist must annually complete at least 2 hours in the clinical subject of infection control in accordance with the provisions of the guidelines adopted by reference in [NAC 631.178](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NAC/NAC-631.html#NAC631Sec178) or biennially complete at least 4 hours in the clinical subject of infection control in accordance with the provisions of the guidelines adopted by reference in [NAC 631.178](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NAC/NAC-631.html#NAC631Sec178), as applicable, based on the renewal period set forth in [NRS\\ 631.330](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-631.html#NRS631Sec330) for the type of license held by the dentist, dental therapist or dental hygienist.”NAC 631.175(4) — current rule (R072-22, 11-15-2024) names 'a dentist, dental therapist or dental hygienist'
    “a dentist who is registered to dispense controlled substances pursuant to [NRS 453.231](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-453.html#NRS453Sec231) must complete at least 2 hours of training relating specifically to the misuse and abuse of controlled substances, the prescribing of opioids or addiction during each period of licensure.”NAC 631.175(5)
    “Every 2 years, the holder of a general anesthesia permit or moderate sedation permit must complete at least 6 hours in courses of study that specifically relate to anesthesia or sedation, as applicable, before the permit may be renewed.”NAC 631.2256
  2. Nevada State Board of Dental Examiners - Renewal and Continuing Education FAQ
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-05-11
    Show verbatim text
    “Board Regulations require that licensees maintain CURRENT CPR, ACLS, or PALS certification. If the certification is effective for more than a one-year period, then no up-date is necessary until the certification expires. However, current certification dates must be submitted each time you renew. In addition, any course taken, pursuant to NAC 631.173, subsection 3, must be taught by a certified instructor. Online certification is NOT accepted. CPR hours may not be included in satisfying the required CE credits for renewal.”NAC 631.173(3); Board FAQ

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 Nevada 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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