Below is exactly what Rhode Island Department of Health, Board of Examiners in 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, 40 hours is the total CME requirement. Rhode Island also requires a set of one-time topics that count toward the 40-hour total.
“a minimum of one (1) hour per year of training on the CDC Infection Control Guidelines”
“All dentists practicing in a dental setting shall hold a current certificate of completion from an approved course in Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers that includes a hands-on skill component”
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.
Nitrous oxide permit applicants (initial training)
“Have satisfactorily completed a minimum of fourteen (14) hours of nitrous oxide sedation training program”
Moderate sedation permit applicants (initial training)
“Have successfully completed a minimum of sixty (60) hours of Moderate Sedation training”
Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, Rhode Island 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://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/part/216-40-05-2[1] |
AGD PACE | AGD PACE-approved providers accepted.Sourcehttps://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/part/216-40-05-2[1] |
Board-approved credit | Board-approved providers per 216-RICR-40-05-2.Sourcehttps://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/part/216-40-05-2[1] |
Physicians are responsible for retaining CME documentation and producing it on request. Requirements include course title, dates, hours, sponsoring organization, and accrediting body.
CE is prorated for a dentist whose license has been in effect for less than two years (e.g., newly licensed), at an average of 20 hours per year the license is in effect.
The Board may grant a one-time six-month extension of the CE requirement where the dentist has suffered a hardship that prevented compliance.
Dentists not intending to practice in Rhode Island may request inactive status on a biennial basis; CE is completed upon reinstatement rather than while inactive.
Atlas CME tracks your hours, maps them to your state requirements, and reminds you before your a fixed renewal 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.
“a minimum of one (1) hour per year of training on the CDC Infection Control Guidelines”216-RICR-40-05-2 § 2.6(E)
“All dentists practicing in a dental setting shall hold a current certificate of completion from an approved course in Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers that includes a hands-on skill component”216-RICR-40-05-2
“Have satisfactorily completed a minimum of fourteen (14) hours of nitrous oxide sedation training program”216-RICR-40-05-2
“Have successfully completed a minimum of sixty (60) hours of Moderate Sedation training”216-RICR-40-05-2