Below is exactly what New Mexico Board of Dental Health Care requires: mandatory topics, exemptions, accepted credit types, and documentation rules.
Compiled by Atlas CME from official board sources · Last updated July 4, 2026
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.
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.
Dentists with DEA registration
“Any dentists who holds a Federal drug enforcement administration registration to prescribe controlled substances shall successfully complete three continuing dental or medical education hours”
Dentists with permits for minimal, moderate, deep sedation, or general anesthesia
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 system | Notes |
|---|---|
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] |
Physicians are responsible for retaining CME documentation and producing it on request. Requirements include course title, dates, hours, sponsoring organization, and accrediting body.
Initial licenses issued for less than a full year do not require CE for first renewal.
Atlas CME tracks your hours, maps them to your state requirements, and reminds you before your a calendar year jul to jun cycle renewal.
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.
“Any dentists who holds a Federal drug enforcement administration registration to prescribe controlled substances shall successfully complete three continuing dental or medical education hours”16.5.10.9 NMAC(D) (primary NM regulations host, srca.nm.gov); 16.5.57 NMAC.