New Mexico Board of Dental Health Care · DDS/DMD

60 hours. Every three years. On a calendar year jul to jun cycle.

Below is exactly what New Mexico Board of Dental Health Care requires: mandatory topics, exemptions, accepted credit types, and documentation rules.

Updated April 2026Sourced from NMBDHC~4 min read

Reviewed by Doug Doehrman, MD · Last reviewed May 13, 2026

Mandatory topics

For Dentists, 60 hours is the total CME requirement. New Mexico also requires a set of one-time topics that count toward the 60-hour total.

Infectious disease[1]
Hrs vary
Triennial
Training in infection control techniques and sterilization procedures required each renewal period; specific hour count not specified in 16.5.10.9 NMAC.
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Atlas CME tracks each of these mandatory topics against your New Mexico 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]
3 hrs
Triennial

Dentists with DEA registration

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3 hours covering pharmacology risks, abuse/addiction awareness, state/federal regulations, and pain treatment strategies.
16.5.10.9 NMAC; 16.5.57 NMACSee source [1] in Primary Sources
ConditionalSedation[1]
Hrs vary
Triennial

Dentists with permits for minimal, moderate, deep sedation, or general anesthesia

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Anesthesia/sedation training required per separate guidelines for sedation permit holders.
Accepted credit

Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, New Mexico 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 accepted.Sourcehttps://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-mexico/N-M-Admin-Code-SS-16.5.10.8[2]
AGD PACE
AGD PACE-approved providers accepted.Sourcehttps://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-mexico/N-M-Admin-Code-SS-16.5.10.8[2]
Board-approved credit
Board-approved providers per 16.5.10 NMAC.Sourcehttps://www.rld.nm.gov/boards-and-commissions/individual-boards-and-commissions/dental-health-care/instructors-training-requirements-and-continuing-education/[3]
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

Initial licenses issued for less than a full year do not require CE for first renewal.

FAQ
Does New Mexico treat DDS and DMD differently for CE purposes?
No. DDS and DMD are equivalent dental degrees, and the New Mexico Board of Dental Health Care applies identical CE rules to both.
Are ADA CERP credits accepted in New Mexico?
Yes. ADA CERP-recognized providers and AGD PACE-approved providers qualify under the Board's general approved-provider framework in 16.5.10 NMAC.
Are there mandatory CE topics for dentist renewal in New Mexico?
Yes — every dentist must complete training in infection control and maintain current BLS/CPR certification each triennial renewal. DEA-registered dentists add 3 hours of CE on controlled-substance prescribing, abuse/addiction, regulations, and pain treatment. Sedation permit holders add permit-specific anesthesia/sedation CE.
Where can I check my New Mexico dental license renewal date?
The New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department maintains license records at rld.nm.gov. Renewal aligns with the triennial July 1 – June 30 cycle.

Never miss a New Mexico CME deadline.

Atlas CME tracks your hours, maps them to your state requirements, and reminds you before your a calendar year jul to jun cycle renewal.

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. Secondary sourceAccessed 2026-05-11
  2. Secondary sourceAccessed 2026-05-11
  3. Primary sourceAccessed 2026-05-11