Below is exactly what Texas State Board of Dental Examiners requires: mandatory topics, exemptions, accepted credit types, and documentation rules.
Reviewed by Doug Doehrman, MD · Last reviewed May 12, 2026
For Dentists, 24 hours is the total CME requirement. Texas also requires a set of one-time topics that count toward the 24-hour total.
“at least four (4) CE hours for each biennial renewal, regarding safe and effective pain management related to the prescription of opioids”
“a course in human trafficking prevention approved by the executive commissioner”
“Each licensee shall complete the jurisprudence assessment every four (4) years”
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 permits
“Once a DEA permit holder has taken the two (2) hour course, they are not required to take the course again.”
Level 1 (minimal) sedation permit holders
Level 2-3 (moderate, parenteral, or pediatric moderate) sedation permit holders
Level 4 (deep sedation/general anesthesia) permit holders
Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, Texas 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 |
|---|---|
Clinical scientific/technical (min 16 hrs) min 16 hrs | Minimum 16 of 24 hours must be scientific or technical clinical CE.Sourcehttps://tsbde.texas.gov/licensing/dentists/dentist-continuing-education/[1] |
Risk management (max 8 hrs) max 8 hrs | Up to 8 hours risk management (record-keeping, HIPAA, ethics).Sourcehttps://tsbde.texas.gov/licensing/dentists/dentist-continuing-education/[1] |
Self-study (max 8 hrs) max 8 hrs | Up to 8 hours self-study.Sourcehttps://tsbde.texas.gov/licensing/dentists/dentist-continuing-education/[1] |
ADA CERP | ADA CERP-recognized providers accepted.Sourcehttps://tsbde.texas.gov/licensing/dentists/dentist-continuing-education/[1] |
AGD PACE | AGD PACE-approved providers accepted.Sourcehttps://tsbde.texas.gov/licensing/dentists/dentist-continuing-education/[1] |
Physicians are responsible for retaining CME documentation and producing it on request. Requirements include course title, dates, hours, sponsoring organization, and accrediting body.
First-biennium-renewal CE exemption — Texas dentists are required to complete CE 'after your first biennial renewal and before each subsequent renewal,' meaning the 24-hour total kicks in at the second biennial 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.
“at least four (4) CE hours for each biennial renewal, regarding safe and effective pain management related to the prescription of opioids”TSBDE Dentist CE
“a course in human trafficking prevention approved by the executive commissioner”TSBDE Dentist CE
“Each licensee shall complete the jurisprudence assessment every four (4) years”TSBDE Dentist CE
“Once a DEA permit holder has taken the two (2) hour course, they are not required to take the course again.”TSBDE Dentist CE