Below is exactly what Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry requires: mandatory topics, exemptions, accepted credit types, and documentation rules.
Compiled by Atlas CME from official board sources · Last updated May 12, 2026
For Dentists, 30 hours is the total CME requirement. Pennsylvania also requires a set of one-time topics that count toward the 30-hour total.
“All licensees and certificate holders shall complete 2 of the required hours of continuing education in approved courses on child abuse recognition and reporting”
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.
Dentist prescribers of controlled substances (under PA Act 124 of 2016)
“Dispensers and prescribers applying for the renewal of a license or certification to complete at least two hours of continuing education in pain management, identification of addiction or the practices of prescribing or dispensing of opioids as a portion of the total continuing education required for biennial renewal.”
Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, Pennsylvania 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 |
|---|---|
Live lecture/clinical (min 15 hrs) min 15 hrs | At least 50% (15 of 30 hours) must be lecture or clinical presentations (live).Sourcehttps://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/pennsylvania/49-Pa-Code-SS-33-401[4] |
ADA CERP | ADA CERP-recognized providers accepted.Sourcehttps://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/pennsylvania/49-Pa-Code-SS-33-401[4] |
AGD PACE | AGD PACE-approved providers accepted.Sourcehttps://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/pennsylvania/49-Pa-Code-SS-33-401[4] |
Physicians are responsible for retaining CME documentation and producing it on request. Requirements include course title, dates, hours, sponsoring organization, and accrediting body.
Exam-period exemption: a dentist is exempt from the CE requirement for only the biennial period during which the applicant passed the licensure or certification examination.
Hardship waiver: a dentist who cannot meet the CE requirement due to illness, emergency or hardship may apply to the Board in writing for a waiver (case-by-case).
Atlas CME tracks your hours, maps them to your state requirements, and reminds you before your your license anniversary 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.
“All licensees and certificate holders shall complete 2 of the required hours of continuing education in approved courses on child abuse recognition and reporting”49 Pa. Code § 33.401(h)
“Dispensers and prescribers applying for the renewal of a license or certification to complete at least two hours of continuing education in pain management, identification of addiction or the practices of prescribing or dispensing of opioids as a portion of the total continuing education required for biennial renewal.”Act 191 of 2014 § 9.1(a)(2) (added by Act 124 of 2016, P.L. 980, No. 124) — role-neutral 'each licensing board' language.