Below is exactly what South Carolina State Board of Dentistry requires: mandatory topics, exemptions, accepted credit types, and documentation rules.
Reviewed by Doug Doehrman, MD · Last reviewed May 9, 2026
For Dentists, 28 hours is the total CME requirement. South Carolina also requires a set of one-time topics that count toward the 28-hour total.
“One hour must be in sterilization and infection control.”
“CPR recertification must be live, in-person. You may not take the practical portion of the course online, even if it is live and interactive.”
“Every dentist shall certify to the Board that any person employed, who shall place and expose radiographic films, has successfully completed the training required herein.”
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 licensed to prescribe controlled substances under Section 40-15-145
“If licensed to prescribed controlled substances, as is required in Section 40-15-145, two hours must be in prescribing and monitoring controlled substances.”
Dentists holding a sedation permit under Section 40-15-420
“If holding a sedation permit, as is required in Section 40-15-420, four hours must be in pharmacology, anesthesia, emergency medicine, or sedation”
Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, South Carolina 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 (American Dental Association is pre-approved sponsor).Sourcehttps://llr.sc.gov/bod/ce.aspx[3] |
AGD PACE | AGD PACE-approved providers accepted (Academy of General Dentistry is pre-approved sponsor).Sourcehttps://llr.sc.gov/bod/ce.aspx[3] |
Board-approved credit | Board-approved sponsors (does not approve individual courses but does approve sponsoring organizations).Sourcehttps://llr.sc.gov/bod/ce.aspx[3] |
Online computer seminars max 14 hrs | Online computer seminars are capped at 50% of the dentist's 28-hour requirement (14 hours). Live, interactive webinars are treated as live CE.SourceSC Board Dental CE August Updates (May 23, 2025)[1] |
Teaching CE max 7 hrs | Teaching CE is capped at 25% of the 28-hour requirement (7 hours), including any combination of CODA-approved college teaching and approved CE seminar teaching.SourceSC Board Dental CE August Updates (May 23, 2025)[1] |
Presenting CPR course max 4 hrs | Presenting a CPR course that is accepted for CE is limited to 4 hours per renewal cycle.SourceSC Board Dental CE August Updates (May 23, 2025)[1] |
CE records retention: at least 3 years. Patient records retention remains at least 5 years under S.C. Code 40-15-83.
First-renewal exemption: upon initial licensure in South Carolina, newly licensed dentists, dental hygienists, and dental/orthodontic technicians are exempt from continuing education requirements for the first re-licensure period.
Retirement waiver — fully retired licensees may request a waiver of CE and CPR requirements. If approved, the licensee must sign an Agreement that they will not resume practice without first fulfilling all owed CE and other requirements during the retirement period. Waiver does NOT exempt the annual license renewal fee or other annual requirements.
The Board may issue a CE and/or CPR exemption or extension on request for disability, extraordinary circumstances, or hardship. The exemption or extension is not automatic and must be requested before renewing.
Active duty members of the United States military are exempt from CE requirements, but must submit military orders to the Board at renewal.
Licensees serving a residency through a CODA-approved program are exempt from CE requirements, but must submit proof of residency in CE Broker before renewal.
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.
“One hour must be in sterilization and infection control.”SC Board Dental CE August Updates (May 23, 2025)
“CPR recertification must be live, in-person. You may not take the practical portion of the course online, even if it is live and interactive.”SC Board Dental CE August Updates (May 23, 2025)
“If licensed to prescribed controlled substances, as is required in Section 40-15-145, two hours must be in prescribing and monitoring controlled substances.”SC Board Dental CE August Updates (May 23, 2025)
“If holding a sedation permit, as is required in Section 40-15-420, four hours must be in pharmacology, anesthesia, emergency medicine, or sedation”SC Board Dental CE August Updates (May 23, 2025)
“Every dentist shall certify to the Board that any person employed, who shall place and expose radiographic films, has successfully completed the training required herein.”S.C. Regulations 39-12(8) and 39-16